Job Hunting 2

[shin25]

I am thinking of leaving my current job and start a new one in about six months. I am planning to look for jobs and going for interviews with employers from now only! Is it too early to go for interviews, given that I shall be available for the new employer only after six months?

I shall really appreciate any comment(s).

 

[ctopher]

It wouldn't hurt to start looking. It may take 6 months to get an interview.

Chris
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[shin25]

ctopher-

I did not mention in OP that I have already been asked for an interview in a week from now (nothing finalized yet). I am not able to decide on, if should I attend the interview or postpone it for few months or so. I do not want to give any wrong impression to the new employer!

 

[ewh]

I would accept and let them know during the interview what your time-line is.

 

[MechEng2005]

I would so go for any opportunities you have, and let them know your time-line upfront as already said. If an employer is looking for a permanent (as opposed to contract) employee, chances are a few months won't be a big deal. It will depend on how specific the job is and how good of a match you are of course. If the job is pretty general and you don't have any special requirements they may be less likely to wait around for you. But it never hurts to try. Maybe if you'd apply they'll hold the position for you. If you don't apply and let them know, they certainly can't even consider you since they don't know you exist.

Best of luck!
MechEng2005

 

[zuccus]

Shin25,

You never know, it might take them a few months to interview all of their canidates and bring people in for 2nd rounds etc.

In my current job, I sumbitted my resume in December, got an interview in late Janurary and started at the end of March.

Best to start the process now.

Zuccus

 

[csd72]

Why are you not going to be starting for 6 months?

You are in a better position to negotiate while you are still working for your current employer. That way you dont have to accept jobs just because you need the money.

You should be able to arrange interviews after hours e.t.c.

csd

 

[shin25]

csd72,

I have given you a star for your post.

There are few oppressing reasons, which are at this time beyond my control. I am thinking six months to be on the safer side, it may be earlier than that.

 

[csd72]

shin25,

so it is a complicated situation.

My advice would be to send your CV out to local employers as soon as you hand in your notice to your current employer, giving an expected date that you will be available to work. Many of these people will keep your CV handy just in case.

For specific positions I would normally start applying 1 month before I am available to work (maybe even 6 weeks for government/big corporations that may have lengthy processes).

csd

 

[Gymmeh]

I have been thinking the same thing, but a little different situation.

Not to steal your thread Shin , I hope this adds to it!

I plan on leaving my job in April after I take the FE...

The problem is I want to move out of the "Rust Belt" into less depressing areas. Obviously this requires traveling to better areas/out of state for interviews. This would mean I couldn’t just interview after work, or take an after noon off.

So similar situation as Shin, just not looking for local jobs. I would also appreciate any comments.

 

[csd72]

Gymmeh,

Maybe in your situation you could give 4 weeks notice then take days off to go to your interviews (if you have vacation left).

csd

 

[shin25]

csd72,

Are you saying- give notice to the current employer and then look for jobs? if yes, then why?

 

[csd72]

This was only for gymmehs particular situation.

But better for him would be to apply for jobs first and line up interviews prior to resigning.

csd

 

[shin25]

csd72,

Don't you think that it will be better to get a new job and then resign from the current one? Just to be safe.

 

[civilperson]

Most interviews that I have recently are phone interviews. A written offer follows a phone call negociating the salary. I require replacement of my lost wages to travel and thus miss work. The phone interview is free to the prospective employer.

 

[shin25]

If you are a full time salaried employee, then not sure how it should work. Prospective employer should expect that you take a vacation day on the day of interview. Thus they may agree to pay just for the travel expense and not lost wages!

 

[PSE]

If you are looking a significant distance away from your current employer, look to combine a miniature vacation with your search/interview. You get the opportunity to check out the area and can write some of the expenses off on your taxes (at least in the US).

If you have decided to look for another position, you might as well start now. Unless a contract is holding you for the next six months, are there any benefits to staying? You might make an annual review with possible salary bump but why not figure that into the baseline salary for the position you are looking for? You need to consider costs of living in a new area as well.

When I have changed employer's, the most difficult decision was that on leaving. Once that choice was made, time frame really did not matter much.

Regards,

 

[Gymmeh]

Start to PSE,

Looking for a job in the US is a tax write off? Looks like im going job searching.

Some one mentioned using vacation. I dont get vacation till April, the companys time to give out vacation. and I have used all my personal days

 

[csd72]

Gymmeh,

A difficult situation.

If you are confident in the market for your job then my suggestion of quiting may be an option. If you are not confident then maybe you just have to wait for a phone interview.

In the three times I have switched cities I just moved, then found a job in two weeks. My wife had a job lined up though. As long as you have some money for contingencies it can be worth the punt sometimes.

Shin25,

In your situation it would be best to stay put until you have the next job. I would always do this if I was staying in the same area.

csd

 

[MedicineEng]

I concur with some of the others: always look for a new job when you are still employed.You don't solve one problem (find a new job) by creating another one (not having a current job). This only adds pressure to have a decision and then things can go wrong.I've changed jobs twice, both time I was still employed. Luckily, I can say that I was only unemployed 1 week in over 9 years professional experience. And just because I wanted to take a week off before I started my current job.
Either way, good luck.