Advice from a Recruiter: A Candidate’s Perspective
I’m not quite sure where to share this, so bear with me if this isn’t the right place. I was recently recruited for a job in a neighboring state, but I might have been overly optimistic about the time needed for essential tasks like finding housing, planning the move, notifying my current employer, and breaking my lease. Initially, I aimed for a start date in late October, but then the area I was moving to suffered significant damage from Hurricane Helene. This disaster disrupted my plans, cutting off two weeks when I could have worked with a realtor due to power outages and blocked roads.
As a result, I hesitated to inform my current employer about my departure, fearing I might end up homeless and without a job before securing my new place. Just last Thursday, I finally found a new apartment and requested my recruiter to push my start date to November 11. I planned to resign from my current job the same day, but I then learned that if I didn’t provide six weeks’ notice, I would forfeit all my accrued PTO—definitely not what I wanted.
I hadn’t intended to raise this issue with my employer until my new job was confirmed, so I’m feeling hesitant about asking the recruiter again if I can push my start date to late November. To add to my stress, my current apartment complex has introduced a new clause in the lease, which I’ve held for three years, imposing a penalty of $3,600 along with two months’ rent. It feels overwhelming to bear these extra costs while starting a new job.
Given these challenges, is it unreasonable for me to request another extension on my start date? I’m really anxious about reaching out to the recruiter again. Any advice would be appreciated!
RCadmin
It sounds like you’re in a really tough situation, and it’s completely understandable to feel nervous about reaching out to the recruiter again. Here are a few pieces of advice that may help:
Be Honest and Transparent: When you reach out to the recruiter, be open about your situation. Explain the challenges you’ve faced with the hurricane, housing, and the unexpected clauses in your lease. Recruiters appreciate honesty, and it can help them understand your circumstances better.
Prioritize Your Well-Being: Your job and your PTO are important, but it’s also crucial to ensure you have a stable living situation before starting a new role. It’s completely reasonable to ask for additional time to make sure everything is in place for your move.
Frame it as a Request, Not a Demand: When you communicate with the recruiter, frame your request as something you are hoping for rather than something you are insisting on. For example, you might say, “Given the complications I’ve encountered, would it be possible to discuss a later start date?”
Offer a Solution: If possible, suggest a timeline that works for you while also indicating your eagerness to start the new role. You might mention that you’re committed to starting as soon as you can resolve these issues.
Stay Professional: Regardless of the outcome, maintaining a professional demeanor is key. If the recruiter can’t accommodate your request, it’s important to remain professional and find a way to move forward, whether that means starting sooner than you’d like or exploring options after you have settled in.
Ultimately, a good recruiter will understand the complexities of life transitions and will likely appreciate your proactive approach. Good luck, and I hope you can find a resolution that works for you!