Offered a job but starts in 3 weeks time

faringdon

Hi,
If you get offered a job, but they wont start you until 3 weeks time, then that means you will be 3 weeks without pay.
Is it perfectly normal in that case, to simply keep applying for other jobs in the hope that you get offered a job that pays  more and starts you sooner?
...ie, even though one has signed the employment contract....just keep on applying for other jobs?

TELLIT01

Perfectly normal, and sensible, to keep looking. 

Emmia

faringdon said:

Hi,
If you get offered a job, but they wont start you until 3 weeks time, then that means you will be 3 weeks without pay.
Is it perfectly normal in that case, to simply keep applying for other jobs in the hope that you get offered a job that pays  more and starts you sooner?
...ie, even though one has signed the employment contract....just keep on applying for other jobs?

If you're already employed then a delayed start, gives you time to give notice etc. I presume you're not employed and want an immediate start?

Grumpy_chap

faringdon said:

Hi,
If you get offered a job, but they wont start you until 3 weeks time, then that means you will be 3 weeks without pay.
Is it perfectly normal in that case, to simply keep applying for other jobs in the hope that you get offered a job that pays  more and starts you sooner?
...ie, even though one has signed the employment contract....just keep on applying for other jobs?

Yes, it is quite normal for a job offer to start from a few weeks after the offer is made.  This allows for the employer to put in place the admin and arrange IT accounts etc that are required.  Three weeks from now also takes you to the 1st December which is administratively simple for payroll etc.  

It is worth remembering that many candidates would not be available for four weeks or more if they need to serve a notice period with their current employer.

Obviously, the new employee does not get paid in that period before they start the new job.

It is not at all uncommon to continue looking for other work in that period.  You may achieve a role that has better pay / conditions / location.  From a practical perspective there is a very limited window of opportunity for achieving a role that starts sooner.

Is this is any way linked to the role that you started but does not exist, or has that now been resolved?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6637792/being-pressured-to-resign-from-job-that-never-existed#latest
(Only this morning you were suggesting that role was preventing you from looking elsewhere, yet you have now secured another offer and considering still looking for work elsewhere.)

If money is a challenge in the meantime before starting the new role, are you eligible for any benefits?  You may be able to secure nJSA (assuming your NI record satisfies the qualification criteria) or may be eligible for UC.  I would expect a Work Coach to be fairly relaxed if they can see evidence that you have a role starting in a few weeks, though they may still seek demonstration of continued effort to secure interim work.

Tabieth

faringdon said:

Hi,
If you get offered a job, but they wont start you until 3 weeks time, then that means you will be 3 weeks without pay.
Is it perfectly normal in that case, to simply keep applying for other jobs in the hope that you get offered a job that pays  more and starts you sooner?
...ie, even though one has signed the employment contract....just keep on applying for other jobs?

You really do get into some interesting pickles!

Of course you can keep looking. But if you found a better paid job tomorrow, it’s presumably going to take longer than 3 weeks to apply, be shortlisted, be interviewed, be offered the post. How likely do you think you’d get a better paid job and be in post, getting paid all within the next 3 weeks?

And you’ve signed a contract and so you have contractual obligations. What’s the notice period for your new job? They’re expecting you to start work in 3 weeks time and they have presumably spent time and money on your recruitment. So if you did manage to get a better paid job you’d presumably have to work you notice period. 

Marcon

faringdon said:

Hi,
If you get offered a job, but they wont start you until 3 weeks time, then that means you will be 3 weeks without pay.
Is it perfectly normal in that case, to simply keep applying for other jobs in the hope that you get offered a job that pays  more and starts you sooner?
...ie, even though one has signed the employment contract....just keep on applying for other jobs?

No, it isn't normal. If you've signed a contract, stop looking. A three week wait is far from unreasonable.

MyRealNameToo

faringdon said:

Hi,
If you get offered a job, but they wont start you until 3 weeks time, then that means you will be 3 weeks without pay.
Is it perfectly normal in that case, to simply keep applying for other jobs in the hope that you get offered a job that pays  more and starts you sooner?
...ie, even though one has signed the employment contract....just keep on applying for other jobs?

Not after signing a contract, technically you would have to serve notice per the contract. In practice most won't hold you to it as you will be pointless for a couple of weeks of cost and then you leave but many will mark your card and you won't be considered for future roles for a period of time. 

If you arent ready to stop the search then just dont sign the contract for now, it only comes a problem if they state they are going to push back your start date if you dont sign it now. 

Many places will want to do referencing, get IT setup etc and so there is often a gap between offer and start date. 

The time without pay can be much more than 3 weeks, it can be you join just after the cut off for that month ends so it will be a 7+ weeks until your next pay packet but then that next pay packet could be for a month and half