How To Negotiate a Start Date for a Teaching Job

There may be challenges with an employer's suggested start date after you successfully finish the interview process for a teaching vacancy and receive an employment letter. Even if receiving a job offer may be nice, you must also make sure that you can honor your obligations and begin new employment when you are completely ready. You may effectively discuss the first day of work with an employer by taking a moment to evaluate negotiating advice.

In this article, we go through why it's crucial to reach an agreement on your start date, advice on how to do it, how to proceed, and an example letter and form.

Describe the start date

A start time is the day, month, and year that an employer has set aside for the employee to start working there institution. In order to meet responsibilities or to make sure that new hires begin the process of onboarding and instruction concurrently with other new hires, employers may specify a start date.

Why is it crucial to haggle over the start date?

Negotiating your start date is crucial to guaranteeing that you have the time to finish any prior obligations or lifestyle adjustments. Here are various reasons a new hire might want to postpone or expedite their start date.

• Relocation necessities

If you reside in a separate state from your location of employment for the institution, you should haggle over your start date. This means that you will probably need more time to market your residence, move your belongings, and find a place to live close to your workplace which is the institution where you are going to join as a teaching faculty, which may necessitate negotiating a postponement of your start date.

• Current employer specifications

You may agree to a later start date in order to meet training obligations for the new hire at your existing work or to honor your obligation to give your current employer one month’s notice.

• Need for income

You may push for a sooner start date if you are currently jobless and in require of a job to cover your rent and other living expenses.

• Personal obligations

Choosing when you will begin is crucial whether you have a planned vacation or a family event, such as a wedding or burial.

Advice on settling on a start date

While it may seem difficult to try to negotiate an opening with an unfamiliar employer since you aren't interested in bothering them, you'll need to settle on a date so that you may be ready to start your new job. Here are some pointers to keep in mind during the bargaining process-

• Be sincere and precise

This makes it easier for your potential employer to comprehend why you need to start your job sooner or later. Additionally, it can make them feel pity for you and allow you permission for a later or earlier start date.

• Permit oneself to be adaptable

When you negotiate your start date, your employer can decide to start a week or a month later than they originally planned. As some institutions have specified onboarding plans for new hires that occur on set dates, this option can be the only one available. Therefore, even if it results in you missing out on a pay period, you must remember to express your gratitude for their hospitality.

• Profit from the ambiguous inquiry, "Especially when should you start?"

Some new employees feel compelled to accept the institution’s initial start date suggestion in order to please their supervisor or make up for the fact that they are uncertain of the exact start date. Make sure you are prepared for this inquiry so you can provide the employer with a precise response. If you decide to accept the position offer and need to request a new start date later on, this could also help avoid any confusion that might arise.

How to haggle over the commencement date

To determine how to discuss your beginning date with an employer, look over these five steps-

• Express gratitude for their employment offer

Make sure to express your appreciation and excitement for the teaching position they offered you before you inquire about changing the start date. Should you ask for an alternative start date, they will better realize that you are interested in the job and not take the position for granted.

• Tell us when they plan to start, please

If you're communicating verbally or via email, make sure to make it clear if they'd like you to begin on a particular date or not. By asking you this query, an employer may inquire as to whether there is a different date you'd prefer, giving you the chance to inquire about a new start date. If not, it reaffirms their expectations and gives you the chance to suggest a new start date for your employment.

• Indicate the date you want to start

Specify the date or days that will work most effectively for you to begin working, if possible. Make sure to express how eager you are to begin in your new teaching role once more.

• Explain why you chose the later start date

Your suggested start date should be supported by a justification. It's not necessary to go into considerable depth; a brief explanation suffices. Say "I have another prior engagement" as an alternative to "My closest companion and myself are going to the outstation for a week," for a more formal justification. Overall, explaining your rationale for delaying a start date aids the employer in realizing that you are not delaying starting work because you don't want to.

• In the interim, request that other chores be completed

Ask the prospective employer if there are any chores or training you can begin working on ahead of your start date to show them that you are committed to your work at the new institution.