Ask HN: I need to get away from it all.

Re:Ask HN: I need to get away from it all. by RiderOfGiraffes on Wednesday August 11, 2010 @12:01PM (#1595065)

You could simply say that you have some commitments that prevent you from starting immediately, but that in the interregnum you would intend to use the opportunity to read and hone up on the skills required for the position - do they have a suggested reading list?

Lots of companies are fine with a pause before starting for real. It does depend on how long, though. "Several Months" is a long time - very few companies looking to hire would be willing to appoint someone, then wait "several months".

(edited for speeling errror)

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Re:Ask HN: I need to get away from it all. by peace_of_mind on Wednesday August 11, 2010 @12:11PM (#1595092)

Thanks for the reply. By "Several Months" I probably mean a minimum of 1.5 months, but preferably around 3 months.

Part of the plan is to learn a few new areas of CS and math that I've been too busy to read, and code a few things I've been meaning to code. Some personal development without commitments all week.

Edit: "to" -> "too". Christ.

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Re:Ask HN: I need to get away from it all. by RiderOfGiraffes on Wednesday August 11, 2010 @12:28PM (#1595150)

I don't think of that as "several", I think of that as "a few." Two months would most likely be acceptable to a prospective employer. Four months less so.

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Re:Ask HN: I need to get away from it all. by gaius on Wednesday August 11, 2010 @12:33PM (#1595159)

3 months is nothing - many places have a 3 month notice period so your start date would be that far out anyway.

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Re:Ask HN: I need to get away from it all. by rwl on Wednesday August 11, 2010 @12:12PM (#1595095)

I would go this way, too. I'd give them a specific start date. If they're not OK with letting you fulfill your "other commitments" before that date, or if they press you to divulge what those commitments are and why they're so important, you didn't want to work for them anyway.

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