When Can You Start?

In the unfamiliar conference room, Ryan was nervous. He was early for his interview. Alone, he could smell the fresh polish on his shoes. His untouched coffee grew cold. The door swung wide, and in walked Drew, the hiring manager.

Drew was cordial enough, but distracted. He was in the middle of a meeting when Ryan’s arrival was announced. He had planned to prepare better for this interview, but time got away from him.

“Thanks for coming in,” Drew began, glancing over the resume. “We could use someone with your talents.”

Ryan’s professional resume was impressive. It was mostly true, with only some minor exaggerations. Drew glanced at his watch, wondering how long this interview would take. He was really busy this morning.

Ryan had practiced for this interview with a headhunter, so he was ready for the first three questions, verbatim from his role-play sessions. He had printed out and studied the company website, so he made it sound like he already worked there.

Working off the resume, Drew leaned forward. “Your last job is almost exactly like the opening we have here. I’m not making an offer, but when would you be available to start?”

Drew had made his decision in the first three minutes. He was about to make a fatal mistake.
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2 thoughts on “When Can You Start?

  1. Mike

    It’s very funny that you chose to post this particular analogy. I just ran into this situation this past Friday. I had interviewed for a sales manager position at a company. I got the job, but the person called me and asked when I could start? When I explained that I would have to give 2 weeks notice. He got very annoyed. He then stated that he had a training class starting Monday, and he needs me to start immediately. Needless to say, I didn’t take the job, because I don’t believe in burning any bridges. He told me that he has another training class starting in 6 weeks, and that he will call me in a month. Hopefully he calls me back, but there was absolutely nothing that I could do. You would think that he would appreciate that I am a stand up employee, who wouldn’t just leave a company high and dry. Oh well, what can I do?

    Reply
  2. Mike

    It’s very funny that you chose to post this particular analogy. I just ran into this situation this past Friday. I had interviewed for a sales manager position at a company. I got the job, but the person called me and asked when I could start? When I explained that I would have to give 2 weeks notice. He got very annoyed. He then stated that he had a training class starting Monday, and he needs me to start immediately. Needless to say, I didn’t take the job, because I don’t believe in burning any bridges. He told me that he has another training class starting in 6 weeks, and that he will call me in a month. Hopefully he calls me back, but there was absolutely nothing that I could do. You would think that he would appreciate that I am a stand up employee, who wouldn’t just leave a company high and dry. Oh well, what can I do, life goes on they say.

    Also, his decision made me nervous that this hiring manager was a loose cannon, because he had made his decision that quickly, like he was just shooting from the hip. It kind of made me think twice about the company in general. I am starting to wonder if it is because no one else wants the job, or if I was just the most qualified?

    Reply

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