Is it okay to ask for a delayed starting date? 2

[jrw501]

Hello everyone,

I'll be finishing my M.S. in Structural Engineering this semester and preparing to join the workforce when that time comes. Obviously the job market is pretty tough right now with limited new design (although from my perspective the bridge design market and forensics engineering side of structural engineering seem to be doing "okay" by comparison). I've spoken with several companies in the Fall and intend to speak with several more in the coming weeks. I haven't had any interviews yet largely because the companies I spoke with in the Fall were even more unsure of the future market as they are now and said I wouldn't hear much back until Feb/March (just using this information to preface why I haven't asked this question already).

In any case, upon graduation I'd really like to take something on the order of two months to travel as much as I can. I can't see myself getting another opportunity to have this much "free" time between now and possibly retirement. So my question becomes, in your experience, do employers have rigid start dates? Do you think this type of market has adversely affected my chance of traveling (perhaps to the point where instead of two months off, I might be looking at a year or more off due to unemployment -- or at least beginning Ph.D work)? Is it a bad idea to start off roughly 2 months behind my peers? I suppose these will be some questions I'll ask in interviews, but I don't know if it's something I should try to negotiate at risk of not being hired. Thanks to any thoughts/suggestions.

 

[IRstuff]

Seems to me that it's really up to you. Are YOU really "hard over" on taking time off? If that's non-negotiable, then by all means demand that. Otherwise, it is negotiable, and you can negotiate.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[FeX32]

Take the time off. It will be well worth it.
2 months is nada.


Fe

 

[tygerdawg]

Take the time off, it's part of your education. You have the enviable position in the hiring pool of being "Entry Level" and have a much better chance at getting employed quickly because you don't cost as much. Later on during interviews when asked about the dead time on your resume, tell them you had an opportunity to take some time off, a sort of mini-sabbatical. You'll get heavy sighs and looks of envy from the other person. What will you wish you had done in 3 years when you get laid off abruptly?

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[jrw501]

Sounds like traveling is definitely going to be the answer. Thanks all, I'm going to do my best to start late.

 

[steellion]

It's probably no big deal, but it all depends on the employer. I'd say a month off after graduation is pretty standard, especially if you need to move, and I'm guessing 2 months will be fine as long as the company isn't incredibly busy and desperate for you to start right away (I'm guessing very few companies are in that situation in this economy)

 

[frv]

A former colleague took off a month before beginning his employment and it was no problem.. I don't think it should be an issue provided you approach it realistically and talk to prospective employers about it upfront. You can then gauge whether it will be an issue.

 

[PhilBW]

When I graduated from college, I took the summer off and spent the time traveling around Europe. My employer didn't have any problems whatsoever about my vacation. However, I was going to work for a very large company. My department alone had over 50 engineers, and being short one person for a few months didn't cause any problems. It may be different for a small company where there aren't as many people to pick up the extra load of having someone gone. However, I don't think any employers would think less of you if you asked about it in an interview.

Phil

 

[IRstuff]

No one will think less of you, but bear in mind that most employers look to hire because they have an immediate need, not a future need. And, particularly in down times, that need has probably remained unfilled for a while, so it is likely that they want boots on the ground ASAP.

But, like I said before, you need to determine what your negotiation points are, first, before broaching the subject.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[ischgl99]

Do not ask about it in the interview, wait until you have an offer in hand. Once they want you and have invested efforts to make you the offer is the only time you have any leverage. If you ask about it during the interview, it could be used against you as a reason to make the offer to someone else. This is all part of the salary negotiation process, negotiate from a position of strength and you are more likely to get what you want.

 

[MechEng2005]

I wouldn't think it would be a big deal. I had a change of employment during my engagement, and thus had a little over a week off not too long after starting a job. I know there's a big difference between 1-2 weeks and 2 months, but the idea is similar. Also, I worked for a few weeks and then was gone, which seems inconvient for getting somebody up-to-speed on a project.

I definately agree with ischgl99 though, that you should wait for the offer. The only exception I might consider is if they said something at the interview about it being awhile before they were ready to bring you in. If they indicate that they would prefer a later start date, by all means indicate that you are open to it. I would still probably not give them a specific time period though.

-- MechEng2005

 

[tickle]

Go away. I finished college without a job and started looking with the expectation that I would ask for a break before starting. After six months I was desparate for a job and took one out side of the area I was originally looking in. I look back at the six months that I spent sending off resumues as wasted because I have never had that much free time since.

So finish college, go on holiday, then look for a job!

 

[brandoncdg]

I agree about just taking the vacation, then looking for a job. Otherwise you may just be looking for 6 months and wished you had taken the for sure vacation beforehand.

I don't think a recent graduate with a few months of nothing between graduating and applying for a job is a big deal at all. Especially when you can make up some good story of how you wanted to get some more culture and somehow relate that to engineering, I have been able to relate my field every single time I go out of the country. It's the people who fluff their resumes just for fluff that I would be worried about.

Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading

http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com

 

[pmover]

uummm . . .

you'd rather vacation for a couple of months before starting work. sort of tells others about your priorities, i.e. play before work.

". . . do employers have rigid start dates?"
some do and some do not - depends upon employer. typical and most professional employment offers do have a deadline to respond (accept or decline). after which, a start date is negotiated or it could be included in the offer. imagine this, an employment offer is made and you make no mention to employer about taking a 2-month vacation. you accept the offer within the stated deadline. you then mention you are taking a 2-month vacation and would like to start then. ask yourself, is this a fair deal for the employer whom MAY be expecting you to start work sooner?

"Do you think this type of market has adversely affected my chance of traveling (perhaps to the point where instead of two months off, I might be looking at a year or more off due to unemployment -- or at least beginning Ph.D work)?"

if you want to work, then you should find employment.

"Is it a bad idea to start off roughly 2 months behind my peers?"

as the question is asked, not really. however, starting 2-months after offer is accepted MAY very well sour relations with employer. only you can determine and judge this based on your correspondence.

"I suppose these will be some questions I'll ask in interviews, but I don't know if it's something I should try to negotiate at risk of not being hired."

what is your principle objective? employment or vacation. again, only you can decide this as you are the one involved in communications with potential employer. If they pose the question during the interview, and you are aware of the work load, their need, and if you believe you will enjoy yourself there, then you have a decision to make.

each an every individual is unique with regards to therapeutic time-off. only you can make that decision since you are aware of all correspondence with prospective employers.

i'd also state this, if no employment offer is made at time of graduation or when you plan to vacation, then do as you so please. certainly make plans accordingly and enjoy yourself.

hope this helps . . .
-pmover

 

[GregLocock]

"play before work"

you bet.

The longest I have had off work (including being unemployed, when I was not able to go off on holiday), since starting work at the age of 18, is 8 weeks, and that includes uni. That's been 31 years. Someone who accepts that as a likelihood and plans to ameliorate its effect is showing foresight.



Cheers

Greg Locock


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[casseopeia]

Take the time off even if you have to pass on the job. You may not be in a position to do so later. I think two months isn't a lot of time either. I've been out of work for four months now and have managed to find ways to fill my days, although a couple of months were spent completing work as a independent contractor. I actually want more time off to do some things that I've always found rewarding, such as volunteer work.

I don't feel completely ready to go back to a full time job, but my personal situation has changed, so I've had to get serious about finding employment.. I wish I didn't have to.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"