"How soon can you start?"

[melissa24]

My question is for recruiters or any others who may have an opinion...

When filling out an application, what would you consider to be too late of a date for the "date available to work" question?

I am planning on attending a recruitment event next week. Realistically, I would like to start working for this company in mid-June, but I realize they may not give me a second glance if I tell them that. I could possibly start working for them, at the earliest, in early April.

Is it worth the effort, or should I just wait until May to apply?

[Beetlejuice]

Just put "negotiable" in that space.

[emily_mom]

Yeppers...."negotiable" works for wages too. Good luck to you?

Kristy

[llg, PhD, RN]

I, too, like the "negotiable" answer. It conveys some flexibility on your part, but let's them know that if they want you to do something that you really don't want to do, they might have to "give" on some other point.

If you wait until May to apply, the position may already be filled. It's better to let them know that you are "out there," wanting to work for them. If they really want you, they will be willing to be a little flexible, too. If you are not that strong of a candidate, they may not be willing to wait -- and you will have to make a decision about whether or not you want the job bad enough to be flexible on the start date issue.

The "negotiable" answer gets you in the door and continues the conversation.

Good luck,

llg

[Darlene K.]

Sounds like good advice!

[melissa24]

Thank you all for your responses. It sounds like "negotiable" is the consensus. It sounds good to me, too, although I would have never thought of it on my own. One more reason to love these boards!