- What is your availability?
- What hours are you available each day?
- Would you be open to part-time work if it could turn into full-time work in the future?
- Are there any days or times during the week you know you cannot work?
I remember my first time hearing “When can you start?” while interviewing for a job. I had finally gotten the call to meet with a prospective employer and spent hours beforehand practicing responses for the standard interview questions.
But I was totally unprepared for the interviewer to ask when I could start. Caught off guard and slightly panicked, I blurted, “Tomorrow!”
The interviewer smiled and jotted down my answer in her notes. Ultimately, I didn’t get the job. Whether it was because of my response on availability, I’ll never know. Yet I realized that as simple as “When can you start?” sounds, it’s a question that still requires strategy.
If you’re like me, you may be tempted to answer that you can start immediately. After all, most of us believe the best way to land a job is to be as flexible, eager, and accommodating as possible. But most of the time, that’s not a realistic option—in which case, it’s ideal to communicate in a way that shows your excitement for the job while still being thoughtful about the start date you have in mind.
“You can approach it from a couple different angles,” says Muse career coach Angela Smith. “Of course, you want to think about what works for you. But you also want to consider the employer’s perspective because they likely have a timeline and ideal date for when they would like a candidate to start.”
Smith points out that most employers are simply asking this question to get a feel for whether your timeline aligns with theirs. So there’s no one perfect answer to this question. But whatever your response, it should be as polished as your answers to other interview questions. Here are a few examples of what to say, depending on your situation.
DHE Presents: Interview Practice: WHAT IS YOUR AVAILABILITY?
Here’s how to reply to each situation:
Even if you are available now, you should respond in a professional manner.
Maybe you have been job searching for a long time, and you really are available now. Being flexible and accommodating is always a good idea but being over-eager could come across as desperate.
No matter the circumstances, you should still respond in a professional manner. Saying you can start “tomorrow” may not be realistic, and if the recruiter does come back with an offer it will reflect poorly on you if you suddenly need more time.
Maybe you are currently employed and need to give notice before leaving. Giving 2-weeks’ notice is a minimum professional standard, but many European countries have far longer notice periods. Stating the truth without giving too many details is the best option.
Maybe you have been working hard at a job you can’t wait to leave, and you really need a break between starting fresh. Joining a new company takes a lot of energy, so time off is usually a good idea. Needing time to prepare is just a part of life. But, be more careful in this kind of reply, stay professional and don’t overshare (for example, no need to say you’ll be taking an extravagant vacation or getting drunk with friends).
Relocating for a job is a deeper commitment. It may involve moving with a partner, kids or pets, which all have their own timelines. The recruiter should be aware of any relocation, because the company may be able to help you with it – by providing you with a package to support the move financially. Make sure to do your research on this though, because smaller companies may view relocation as an obstacle, so in that situation you should avoid dwelling on it.
Checklist for a great answer
What does disponibility mean?
Disponibility is not a common word among English users. Many people are unfamiliar with the term, but it denotes availability when used in official communication. It is used to refer to availability, something vacant or callable.
When asked about your disponibility, you are being asked about your availability. Therefore, it can be demonstrated thus: “When is your disponibility?”
When You’re Ready to Start Right Away
My rushed interview answer was partly due to being on the job hunt for a while and the desire to start ASAP. Still, there’s a fine line between enthusiasm to start a new job and desperation. It’s best to play it slightly cool, even if you’re available right now.
“They may want someone to start right away, but they don’t need to know all the details of your life, even if you’ve been job hunting for a while,” Smith says. “You want to give yourself a breather, and also set the expectation that you won’t be at the employer’s beck and call.”
If you’re ready to start a job sooner than later, it’s great to communicate that—calmly and professionally. Try this answer to convey your prompt availability:
“After learning more about this role, I am confident it would be a great fit for my experience and skill set. I can be available to start as soon as the beginning of the next work week.”
FAQ
What is your availability best answer?
How do I answer availability in an interview?
