Comments on: Reader-Submitted Question of the Day – Day 5 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/ A personal finance blog dedicated to discussing such topics as budgeting, asset allocation, 401K, IRA, cash flow, insurance, financial planning, portfolio management, and other areas in personal finance. Fri, 25 May 2012 16:19:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: guinness416 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-305114 guinness416 Tue, 06 May 2008 16:46:05 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-305114 We hire people all the time who can't start the next day for one reason or another (visas, notice elsewhere, travel/personal plans, relocation, etc). It's not exactly unusual for entry level people especially. I agree with those above who say full disclosure is key. But be aware they may pressure you to change your plans. We hire people all the time who can’t start the next day for one reason or another (visas, notice elsewhere, travel/personal plans, relocation, etc). It’s not exactly unusual for entry level people especially. I agree with those above who say full disclosure is key. But be aware they may pressure you to change your plans.

]]> By: Steve Braun http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-304414 Steve Braun Tue, 06 May 2008 02:30:02 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-304414 I've been the employee and the hiring manager. My advice is to play it by ear. Most employers understand that recent graduates may have plans for a trip and will permit a later starting date. If you get an offer from such an employer, then take your trip and enjoy every minute. After that your new employer will own all but a few weeks of your time each year anyway. If you get an offer from an employer that needs you to starter sooner, then you'll have to choose between a shorter trip (or no trip at all) and the job offer. That's life. Welcome aboard. (Obviously you'll get no sympathy from TM so I wouldn't send a resume in that direction!) I’ve been the employee and the hiring manager. My advice is to play it by ear.

Most employers understand that recent graduates may have plans for a trip and will permit a later starting date. If you get an offer from such an employer, then take your trip and enjoy every minute. After that your new employer will own all but a few weeks of your time each year anyway. If you get an offer from an employer that needs you to starter sooner, then you’ll have to choose between a shorter trip (or no trip at all) and the job offer. That’s life. Welcome aboard.

(Obviously you’ll get no sympathy from TM so I wouldn’t send a resume in that direction!)

]]> By: Skinny City Girl http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-304280 Skinny City Girl Mon, 05 May 2008 22:39:04 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-304280 Go travel. Take 2-3 months. Look for work when you get back. Someone told me to take time off and I ignored him. You won't believe it now, but once you start working you'll never have the same opportunity again. You will have 2 weeks per year if you're lucky. I promise you won't look back on your life and say to yourself "I wish I had started work three months earlier instead of going to Europe." Go travel. Take 2-3 months. Look for work when you get back. Someone told me to take time off and I ignored him. You won’t believe it now, but once you start working you’ll never have the same opportunity again. You will have 2 weeks per year if you’re lucky. I promise you won’t look back on your life and say to yourself “I wish I had started work three months earlier instead of going to Europe.”

]]> By: TM http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-304254 TM Mon, 05 May 2008 21:40:03 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-304254 hmm...I disagree with most comments...but then again i am coming from the position of hiring someone. You should not bother me with interviewing you if you are not available. It's a waste of my time. Especially as there are many others out there waiting/looking for a job. Just my 2 cents. hmm…I disagree with most comments…but then again i am coming from the position of hiring someone. You should not bother me with interviewing you if you are not available. It’s a waste of my time. Especially as there are many others out there waiting/looking for a job. Just my 2 cents.

]]> By: Meg http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-304247 Meg Mon, 05 May 2008 21:27:48 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-304247 Definitely don't postpone your job search, especially given the level of effort you've put in. But most employers will be flexible regarding your start date (especially as you're going into sales). If you get an offer soon, wait until they suggest a start date (it might be later than you anticipate) and then ask them how flexible the date is; tell them you had been planning some travel between graduation and starting your job. If you don't have a job offer soon, go ahead and plan a trip; then if you get an offer you can tell them straight up "I've had this trip planned for months; is it going to be a problem if I push back the start date?" [Either way, wait until you have an offer before brining this up!!] Many of my friends let employers know they had trips planned and asked if they could start later in the summer after graduation. Even in my position (3 of us were hired into a training program at a bank with a definitive start date) one guy started a month late because he'd been in Europe. No one really cared; everyone thought it was great he did that. Definitely don’t postpone your job search, especially given the level of effort you’ve put in. But most employers will be flexible regarding your start date (especially as you’re going into sales).

If you get an offer soon, wait until they suggest a start date (it might be later than you anticipate) and then ask them how flexible the date is; tell them you had been planning some travel between graduation and starting your job.

If you don’t have a job offer soon, go ahead and plan a trip; then if you get an offer you can tell them straight up “I’ve had this trip planned for months; is it going to be a problem if I push back the start date?”

[Either way, wait until you have an offer before brining this up!!]

Many of my friends let employers know they had trips planned and asked if they could start later in the summer after graduation. Even in my position (3 of us were hired into a training program at a bank with a definitive start date) one guy started a month late because he’d been in Europe. No one really cared; everyone thought it was great he did that.

]]> By: Arlene http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-304158 Arlene Mon, 05 May 2008 19:16:27 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-304158 I spent a month in Ecuador after graduation, not bothering to look for jobs until I got back. Everyone I know that jumped right into the job pool wished they'd taken some time. Keep in mind you will be a minion and may not even accrue enough leave for vacation for several months if not a whole year from when you start. If you do get a job offer, however, mention that you've had a 2-3 week trip planned for several months, to celebrate graduation. Most employers understand that. Don't be afraid to mention it during negotiations. I spent a month in Ecuador after graduation, not bothering to look for jobs until I got back. Everyone I know that jumped right into the job pool wished they’d taken some time. Keep in mind you will be a minion and may not even accrue enough leave for vacation for several months if not a whole year from when you start.

If you do get a job offer, however, mention that you’ve had a 2-3 week trip planned for several months, to celebrate graduation. Most employers understand that. Don’t be afraid to mention it during negotiations.

]]> By: Nicki http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-304157 Nicki Mon, 05 May 2008 19:15:37 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-304157 Am also about to be a college graduate... Honestly, if I was in your position, I would go travel! I love to travel and think any chance should be taken. Agree with JLP, need to make a decision on what you want to do. I vote for seeing the world & then pursuing your career. :) However, I in a different situation - I just cannot seem to find a job in the field I want (investment industry). And it's too late to apply to grad school to continue my education, as I haven't even taken my GMAT yet (but plan on doing so this summer)... Best of luck to you in your search!! Am also about to be a college graduate…
Honestly, if I was in your position, I would go travel! I love to travel and think any chance should be taken. Agree with JLP, need to make a decision on what you want to do. I vote for seeing the world & then pursuing your career. :)

However, I in a different situation – I just cannot seem to find a job in the field I want (investment industry). And it’s too late to apply to grad school to continue my education, as I haven’t even taken my GMAT yet (but plan on doing so this summer)… Best of luck to you in your search!!

]]> By: Jay http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-304153 Jay Mon, 05 May 2008 19:12:00 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-304153 I agree with Katherine. I will be starting at a financial services firm in June and, when I was interviewing, told them that I already had a trip planned in the second half of the month. All that really matters in this situation is full disclosure. I agree with Katherine. I will be starting at a financial services firm in June and, when I was interviewing, told them that I already had a trip planned in the second half of the month. All that really matters in this situation is full disclosure.

]]> By: Katharine http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/comment-page-1/#comment-304104 Katharine Mon, 05 May 2008 18:22:23 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/05/05/reader-submitted-question-of-the-day-day-5/#comment-304104 Most employers ask what your potential start date is, or some people put on their resume.. "Available from ../../08" or similar. Putting 2 months after graduation will look fishy, but a week or so won't hurt your chances any. Most employers ask what your potential start date is, or some people put on their resume.. “Available from ../../08″ or similar. Putting 2 months after graduation will look fishy, but a week or so won’t hurt your chances any.

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