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Samantha Garko

Experienced People Manager

12/10/20 at 4:41PM UTC

Career

Deciding on start date

Hey FGB! After being laid off in April due to Covid, I got a job offer! Yay me! I'm excited about it and have accepted. They are basically letting me choose my start date. It has to be a Monday, so I can start Dec 21 (right before Xmas), Dec 28 (right after Xmas), or Jan 4. I do celebrate Xmas, but given the pandemic, I won't be travelling to see family the way I usually do so I'm not concerned about having days off around the holiday. I'm eager to get started since I haven't been working for so long. However, the idea of waiting until after Xmas, just so it's behind me, or even Jan 4 to not have an awkward half month of working sound appealing too. Are there any things you think I should consider when deciding this? Any advice? I am so grateful to have found a new position and this is low on the list of most people's concerns, but I figured this was the networking/career group to ask. Thanks in advance!

16 Comments

Kim Raper

Sr. Technical Architect in The Great State of NC

12/10/20 at 4:49PM UTC

Hard Choice - I would be the one who would start as soon as I could, get the first few days and weeks done during a down time and get the money started. I always like starting when not everyone is around - less stress and you get a little breather before hitting the ground running... in most cases.

Tracey Morris

Director of Talent Strategy at WVU

12/10/20 at 5:07PM UTC

It might be helpful to find out if your direct supervisor or other members of the team you will join will be available to train you if you start in December. Some businesses lull during the holidays while others are crazy busy. Understanding what resources might be available to get you up to speed during the holidays could impact your decision. For example, if the industry you are joining is slower during the holidays, and the team and/or your direct supervisor will be working throughout the holiday season (not taking time off) it might be beneficial to join sooner as they will have time to meeting with you and complete your onboarding with more time and attention. If the industry finds the holidays to be crazy, you might wait until January. Or, if the supervisor or large majority of the team you are joining are taking significant time off during the holidays, you might consider waiting until you can be engaged with them and appropriately trained and brought up to speed on your department, the role you will play, etc.

1 Reply

Samantha Garko

Experienced People Manager

12/10/20 at 5:24PM UTC

Good point! You and Kim made similar comments. I know the first few days will be training, mostly recorded video trainings to watch. It's also a recruiting position in healthcare staffing, so there's not much of a business lull :) I also know some of the team will definitely will be working on those non-holiday days at the end of the month. Thanks for your insights! It helps me to narrow down my thoughts to make a decision

Amy and Nancy Harrington

273

Women Support Women

12/10/20 at 6PM UTC

We always found that people were burned out and distracted at the end of the year in offices. It might be best to start fresh in January when everyone has had a little rest and is ready to tackle the new year.

Kari Solomon

Resume Writing | LinkedIn | Job Search Coaching

12/10/20 at 6:28PM UTC

I would start in January. I'm just thinking it may simplify things when filing income taxes. Also if your work involves monthly closes, it may be better to onboard at the start of the month. You could ask your contact at the company if any of the dates are more ideal for onboarding on their end.

Anonymous

12/10/20 at 6:31PM UTC

Hi there, I would also start in January. I personally would choose this, especially since they are giving you the option, just to have a little extra time off before getting full into the swing of things again. In my experience, end of December is usually slow anyways and not much is happening. I don't think you're wrong with whatever you choose - it's nice they are giving you some options! Bets of luck!

Malissa

614

Controller in the Agricultural Industry.

12/10/20 at 8:33PM UTC

I'd pick January, Mostly because the taxes would be easier. But that's the accountant in me.

Melanie

562

HR Leader giving my own two cents to help women.

12/10/20 at 9:31PM UTC

I like they gave you options. You ask if you wanted to start before the new year will there be team mates to meet as part of the on boarding process. If most of your colleagues would be off, not sure there would be any advantages for starting before the new year. My offices are pretty quiet so I personally like working so I can get a lot done. Congrats and good luck!

Amy Carothers

482

Brand Marketing and Publishing Manager

12/10/20 at 10:36PM UTC

I would start in January unless obtaining a paycheck is a concern. You mentioned that you've been out of work since April so I'm sure finances are a concern. Taking that into account, I agree with the assessment to find out if your supervisor will be there. I've started roles while most of the office is away and it was difficult to get into the swing of things. While downtime is helpful while you're trying to catch up, being new while everyone is wrapping up projects can feel daunting. January affords a fresh start with everyone on the same page. Whatever you decide, congratulations on your new role. Wishing you the all the best and what a great gift to commence the holidays!

Katrina

12/10/20 at 11:48PM UTC

What field? Also how long have you been applying ?

Stefanie Cossalter Motley

12/11/20 at 2:38PM UTC

The only other consideration I would have is whether there are any advantages to starting in 2020, in terms of benefits. For example, our company has a pension plan that enrolls new employees only on January 1 of every year; so if you started on December 28th, you'd receive contributions starting 1/1/21, but if you started on January 4th, you wouldn't receive them until 1/1/22. Good luck!

Suzanne Speak

Award-winning Senior HR leader

12/15/20 at 6:16PM UTC

Congratulations on landing a new position! As an HR leader with many years of healthcare HR experience, I agree with your comment that there is never really downtime in healthcare, particularly now and particularly in recruiting. I would go ahead and start now just to get a jump start on what you know will be a busy month in January. As the number of people getting vaccinated continues to grow, I expect that January will be a very busy month for healthcare staffing and you want to be able to hit the ground running. Good luck!!

Liz Wanic

Cyber Intel and Dection Fusion Advisor in NY

12/16/20 at 2:42AM UTC

Nice work, first off! Of course it's your choice when you want to start, so any of the dates you choose would be completely fine. However, starting sooner gives you a) a couple more weeks of pay, which might be nice to have post Christmas, and b) the chance to ease into things while others will be taking time off. It would also give you some time to sort out the usual onboarding admin during a potentially slower time so that you're all sorted come January when most of your coworkers will be back and ready to get things moving for 2021.

Corrine Taylor-Chin

106

Writer & Web Production Professional

12/16/20 at 1:51PM UTC

I'd say it's nice to have time off, but if you're not doing anything interesting to pass the time...just start. Especially if you need the paycheck sooner or the benefits to go into affect sooner. Plus, if you do start before Christmas, you'll likely get a couple holidays off already! Congrats on the new job.

Serena

149

Account Manager

12/17/20 at 7:07PM UTC

The first few weeks are usually pretty slow to start, so I would say start as soon as you can that way you can hit the ground running in the new year!

Anonymous

12/29/20 at 4:40PM UTC

I just had a new team member start 12/21. I thought due to the training and paperwork it would be great. It is not since no one was around these 2 weeks and she is feeling bored.