Interviewing and Offers?

[Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca>]

James Barrow wonders: <<I received and accepted a job offer a few  
weeks ago.  At that time the recruiter said that the job *may* start  
after the New Year, but more likely this week.  That didn't happen  
and, as I was told yesterday, I wouldn't be starting until possibly  
1/8/06 since the HR rep at the client company wouldn't return to work  
until then.>>

'06? Make sure you get the 1 year of back pay they owe you! <g>

<<Having never been out of work at this time of year, the thought  
that this offer may be rescinded has crossed my mind (budgets not  
coming in as expected, etc.).>>

From context, you have accepted the job offer but not yet received  
confirmation from their HR department, right? If so, this means that  
you are on shakey legal ground; I've had great "we love you!"  
interviews that were subsequently scuttled by the HR department. So  
be wary! Ask for a formal (thus, legally binding) letter from the  
person who made the offer. And if you keep marketing yourself in the  
meantime, keep careful records of any jobs you turn down to provide  
proof of damages should things fall through.

<<1.  Does an HR rep being 'out' until 1/8/06 sound typical?>>

Can't speak to HR, but I know that whenever possible, I combined my  
personal vacation days with corporate vacation days to stretch my  
vacation to the max. So it's not at all unreasonable that the HR rep  
would be doing the same.

<<2.  Should I continue marketing myself until I have an actual start  
date?>>

If you don't have a legally binding job offer, then this couldn't  
hurt and might even be wise. After all, you might get an even better  
job offer while you're waiting. (Though I doubt it... most places  
aren't going to be doing anything significant for at least the next  
week.)

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Geoff Hart   ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca

(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)

www.geoff-hart.com

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