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Applications, follow-ups and tracking

How to negotiate a start date for a new job

Work out your earliest realistic start date from your notice period and commitments, then propose it clearly, with a message you can adapt.

By LuceriaPublished Updated

Find your earliest realistic date

  1. Check your contract or written terms for your notice period.
  2. Count from the day you will actually resign, usually after the offer is confirmed in writing.
  3. Add any booked holiday or commitments you want to keep.
  4. Decide whether you want a short break between jobs.

In Great Britain, GOV.UK explains that you must give at least a week's notice once you have been in the job for more than a month, and your contract may require more. Acas explains how notice periods work.

Propose the date clearly

Proposing a start date
Thank you for the offer, which I am pleased to accept subject to the written terms.

My notice period is [length], so if I resign on [date], my earliest start date would be [date]. Would [proposed date] work for you?

If an earlier date would help the team, I can ask my current employer whether part of my notice could be shortened.

If the employer wants you sooner

Ask your current employer whether they would agree to a shorter notice period, perhaps after a handover. Do not simply stop working before your notice ends; it can break your contract and affect references. If they say no, tell the new employer plainly; most will wait.

Confirm everything in writing

Before your last day at the old job

  • The new start date is confirmed in writing by the new employer.
  • Your resignation and leaving date are confirmed by your current employer.
  • You know when you will receive your final pay and any holiday pay due.
  • Any pre-employment checks, such as references, are under way.

Common questions

Can I ask for a later start date?

Yes. Many employers will accept a reasonable delay for notice, a booked holiday or a short break, especially if you explain it when you accept.

Should I resign before I have the offer in writing?

It is usually safer to wait until the offer and its main terms are confirmed in writing, and any conditions are clear.

Sources

Put it into practice

See how Luceria helps with this
How to handle a counter-offerReference checks explainedHow to answer salary expectationsMore on applications, follow-ups and tracking

Drafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.