When you're asked during a job interview "when can you start?", it's important to be honest and provide a realistic timeline. Employers are looking for a range of time, so you don't have to agree on a date until you get an offer. It's best to be direct and honest during the interview process, as this will help you start the job on the right foot. If you're currently employed and need to give two weeks' notice, you can say that you'll be available to start two or three weeks after the job offer is accepted.
However, if you're pressured to start right away without giving your current employer enough advance notice, it's probably not a company you want to work for. Your start date is negotiable and, in most cases, the company will be willing to adjust the schedule to find the right person. The best way to manage interview questions about your availability is to prepare them in advance. Biron Clark, a former executive recruiter, suggests that candidates should ask the interviewer what their expectations are for the start date.
It's also important to remember that when an interviewer asks "when can you start?", it is not a formal job offer. This means it's OK to not be exact with the start date. Instead of bluntly stating that you are going on vacation, you could say that you will start at a later period for "personal reasons". At the end of the day, it's attractive to a potential employer that you're passionate about the position and want to start early.
However, avoid giving the impression that you're in the final stages and that you absolutely need the job. Be honest in your interview answers and make sure that you take interviews seriously.
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