THE Question That Can Sink a Job Interview

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.

There is one simple question that tells an employer everything they need to know about a candidate's values, ethics and how important they really are in their present position. So, in a way, the title of this article might better have been "THE ANSWER" and not "THE QUESTION."

So, tell me, when can you start work?

That's a question I ask every candidate I interview. Except in the rare case, and I always note in the job description if the candidate must be able to start work on or before a date certain, it's really a question to gauge the candidate's professionalism and seniority.

Let's deal with the latter first.

If the candidate is a presenting themselves as a crucial cog in their company's wheel, and their answer is, "This coming Monday," they are clearly not crucial (assuming they are still employed which is the assumption of this article).

If the answer is, "I have annual vacation time of X days, so that is the notice I must give," the candidate is a professional. No employer, in their right mind, will want an employee who will leave their job, without decent notice. After all, if they will do it to their current employer, eventually they will do it to them.

I extend my sincere best wishes to one and all for a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukah, and a Happy New Year.

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