4 Untold Things That Employers Look For In ‘How Soon Are You Available’ Interview Question

During job interviews, employers are likely to inquire about how soon you will be available to start work, especially if the position you’re applying for is currently open and essential to the company’s operations.
You might find this question so easy and less important hence the response ‘immediately, in the afternoon or tomorrow’. The bait here that most job seekers are unaware of is that the employer is looking to gauge your loyalty if you are employed, your seriousness in your current job and your understanding of job contracts.
Of course if you are employed, you are probably on a permanent arrangement or on a probation of which you must give a notice period so as to get them enough time for a smooth handover.
So is the interviewer really looking to get the ‘Immediately’ answer? This video titled How Soon Are You Available for this job? Interview Question expounds on how best to answer this question.  However, the insights below will enlighten you on what exactly the interviewer is looking for when he/she asks this question.
1. Your commitment to your current job
Loyalty has always been an important character that Kenyan interviewers look for in candidates. They want to invest in professionals who will stick by them. Nobody will want to hire someone who will leave them hanging the minute they get a better offer somewhere.
Hence when they question your availability do not be so quick to answer that you’re available immediately. They could be testing your loyalty.  Let them know that you care about your employer’s needs and might need to give them a notice period.
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2. Your self -organization skills
An organized person is one who ensures that something is done to completion before moving onto the next one in an organized manner. You will not come out as an organized candidate when the interviewer asks of your availability and you answer ‘in the afternoon’.
Even though you are not engaged anywhere or you are not currently working, let them know that you will need some time to put your things in order as you prepare yourself for the job. Do not come out as a desperate individual who takes anything that comes.
3. Your understanding of job contracts
If you are employed, the interviewer will be much interested on whether you really understand & respect the terms and conditions of employment contracts and use this as a predictor of future behavior in case they take you for the job.
In such cases it would be wise to disclose your current type of employment and the legally stipulated notice period for such arrangement.
4. Whether you are too available
If you show your potential employer that you’re available at any time, you may appear desperate. The interviewer is not looking to help someone – they’re looking to help themselves by hiring someone who will help their company grow or continue functioning properly.
It’s needless to say that you shouldn’t say that you’ve tried everything else and that you’re desperate.  This can as well be inferred when you quickly reply that you are available immediately or even in the afternoon.
This will literally show the interviewer that you don’t want that job – you want any job.
Watch this video for more tips on how to approach this interview question.