Career & RecruiterJunior#59 of 60
Notice Period and Start Date
The Question
“What's your notice period, and when could you realistically start?”
STAR Answer Builder
0/4Practice your answer by writing each part of the STAR framework. At least 20 characters counts as complete.
Context
Recruiters align start dates with team onboarding cycles. Vague answers stall offers; confident answers accelerate them.
Why Interviewers Ask This
They're planning. They also want to see whether you'll leave your current employer professionally, since that's a signal for how you'd leave them one day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Promising to start immediately without burning bridges
- Vague 'as soon as possible'
- Not accounting for contractual notice
- Forgetting to mention planned time off
Answer Framework (STAR)
State your notice period, confirm you'd honor it, give a concrete target start date, and flag any pre-existing commitments.
Sample Answer
Answer hidden. Try responding in the STAR builder first, then reveal to compare.
Key Points
- State notice period clearly
- Commit to honoring it — signals professionalism
- Give a specific target start date
- Flag any pre-booked commitments early
- Offer flexibility where honest
Follow-up Questions
- Is your notice period contractual or standard practice?
- Would your manager try to extend the notice?
- Can you start sooner if we cover a sign-on to offset lost bonus?
How well did you remember this?