How to Write an Email Pushing Back the Start Date for a New Job

Asking a hiring manager or a HR to push back your joining date can be a tricky communication puzzle but it is not that uncommon. 

In this blog post, we will look at how you can write an email requesting the hiring manager to push the joining date along with some best practices and a sample template you can copy.

Tips to Remember

• When you know that you can’t make a joining date, immediately let your hiring manager of POC know about it. Promptness is your friend.
• You are making a request to push back dates to someone you barely know beyond the interview, so it is critical to keep the tone polite and more importantly  professional.
• Stay honest and give them the exact reason why you won’t be able to make the initially agreed upon date and as long as it is valid you should have little to no worries.
• Be flexible about negotiating the date with the employer. Being too rigid might not be the best strategy and a little give and take goes a long way.

Best Practices

• Clearly state the reason for delay in no uncertain terms and be honest about it. 
• Propose a start date that you are comfortable making. In fact, add a buffer of 2-3 days just to ensure that there is wiggle room.
• Express that you are flexible and are keen to start the job. This will indicate that you care about the job and employers might be a little more willing to accommodate requests. 
• Express gratitude to the hiring manager or POC for their time and consideration. This is to ensure that they feel valued and appreciated for their efforts.

Sample

Subject: Request to Modify Joining Date for [Your Name]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

Hope you are well. My name is [Your Name] and I was offered the position of [Designation] in the [Team/Department Name] with my starting date set as [Start Date]. I am super grateful for the opportunity and eager to start building my career at [Company] and contribute to its success. 

I am writing this email to request to push back my joining date to [Proposed Date] because [Explain Why There is a Delay]. 

I am committed to adhering to my [Department] and [Company]’s timelines and policies to ensure that the impact of the delay is as minimal. I am also open to discussing other options with you to arrive at the best possible solution. 

Once again, I appreciate the opportunity and I am committed to giving my best. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by mail and I will be happy to answer. 

Thanks for understanding. 

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Conclusion

Now that you know how to write an email requesting the HR/Hiring Manager to push back start dates, consider checking out our other content about email templates and different communication scenarios. 

Also, if you are interested in learning more about related topics like leadership, rational thinking, and more, check out our blog. 

Finally, if you want to get better at time management, download and use Routine [it is free].