Longest start date (employer, jobs, businesses, moving)

[MJJersey]

I might get a “real” job again soon (I mostly do contacting, run my own businesses, etc.) I am looking to focus more at a regular job at this point. I have an opportunity that I am working on now. I don’t want to wind down my other work until I have an offer. However, it will take some time to wind everything down if I get an offer. I want to stretch out my start date if that happens. The employer does not operate on a fixed schedule like a school and I am not replacing any key employee. I am trying to figure out how much time I can request between the offer and the start date. A typical notice is two weeks. I’d ask for three months if I knew it wouldn’t jeopardize my relationship with the potential employer. I’m hoping I can get six or eight weeks. Does anyone have experience with this? Would it look bad if I asked for that long to wind up work affairs, not like I’m going to Hawaii for three months. I know the potential employer does not have a definitive timeline for this position. Any advice?

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by MJJersey

...it will take some time to wind everything down if I get an offer.
I want to stretch out my start date if that happens.

You know all those threads about people moving somewhere without a job?
Most of that is rooted in an almost universal expectation that the newly hired
can START almost immediately.

I know the potential employer does not have a definitive timeline for this position.
Any advice?

1) Don't assume too much.
2) Hire help to get your work done soonest.

[Suburban_Guy]

I'm curious as to the last part about the potential employer not having a definitive timeline for the position. Does that mean that if the employer offers a position, that they don't even know themselves when the start date is? That seems kind of odd.

[annabanana123]

I got 6 weeks when I changed to my current job but it was with a competitor and I had to give a 3 day notice. We frequently have that happen in my industry so it wasn’t a big deal but for most jobs it would be a no go. I wouldn’t ask for more than 4 weeks.

[macroy]

For the most part - it's a negotiation. And most places will somewhat understand your need to wrap things up. The position is also a factor. If you are a C level, it's often expected that it'd be longer before you'd start. Personally, I've gone as much as two months. But it really depends on the new employer's needs. And I would certainly be more cognizant of when they need you. Your soon to be former employer will have to deal with what you can provide. As you pointed out, 2 weeks notice is the norm.