Interview and Start Date

[WannaB]

I sent out an application for a summer internship and got a phone interview for a full-time position instead. The phone interview went really really well, and I'm almost certain that I will be getting a face-to-face interview.

I am still in academics. I don't want to quite before the end of the acadmeic year. How do you think I should handle this? I'm nervous that they won't have another vacancy if I pass this one up.

[Irish Blues]

Assuming you're a senior and will graduate in May (you haven't stated this), the job will start after school gets out. Companies are interviewing and giving job offers now for positions that start in late May or early June (or so) - they're not going to schedule a start date that requires you to leave school before you finish with classes and exams.

Now ... if you're not graduating in May, then it's a different story and you should clarify exactly what your school status is so I and others can comment further.

[WannaB]

I'm a professor. So I'm teaching until early June.

[ctperng]

I sent out an application for a summer internship and got a phone interview for a full-time position instead. The phone interview went really really well, and I'm almost certain that I will be getting a face-to-face interview.

I am still in academics. I don't want to quite before the end of the acadmeic year. How do you think I should handle this? I'm nervous that they won't have another vacancy if I pass this one up.

If the job location is near your school, it might be easier to handle. For example, if the company requires you to start earlier when you current job ends, you may request to start at your new job on a part-time basis (which is temporary). Then when you current contract ends, you may do your job full time. In any case, professionalism should be held in a high standard.

ctperng

[Sherylian]

If by the time a 2nd round interview comes and they ask you when you can start, just be straight forward and give them the date you can start~ usually the companies understand that and will allow such flexibility.

[Irish Blues]

Agreed with the above - while they might like for everyone to have the same start date, it's not that big of a deal if you can't start for a couple of weeks after their target date. Now ... if their target date is say June 3 and you tell them you can't be ready until July 17 or August 22, then you've got a problem.

I'd say that if you can be ready within 3 weeks of what their initial expectation is, you'll be fine.

[Sherylian]

Actually for me, I asked them to extend the starting date by 3 months because I need to take the summer off and travel... the practice leader was nice enough to allow my extension. =) so i guess i'm very lucky~

[WannaB]

'''. Well everything that you've had to say is extremely encouraging. I appreciate all the help.

[WannaB]

Actually for me, I asked them to extend the starting date by 3 months because I need to take the summer off and travel... the practice leader was nice enough to allow my extension. =) so i guess i'm very lucky~

'''. That does seem very lucky.

[WannaB]

Gaaahhhh!!! The HR person left a message on my machine saying she had a question about my start date, and did I think I would pass on the position if they wanted me to start before June, granted the haven't offered it to me anyway, so as of now I don't have anything to pass on. I am very unhappy at my academic position and really really want to go ahead and start, but I feel like it would be extremely unprofessional to leave before the end of the semester. I have to call her back tomorrow morning. Sigh.

I feel like like this guy looks: :goofy:

[Thomas H]

I'm surprised they're in such a hurry. I would have thought they would be willing to wait an extra month or two.