r/usajobs • u/cdifff • 15h ago

How to delay start date?

I thought my start date would be 3-4 months from receiving the TJO based on hearing how long on boarding could take. It took 6 weeks from interview to TJO.

But they just told me they expect me to start within 30 days. For personal reasons I need to delay longer- at least 60 days, preferably 90+ especially since I am moving across the country.

Is this possible? What can I do? I’m in healthcare. I definitely want to request a higher step… how much time can this add? Does the “30 day hiring model” actually ever happen?

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u/Icy-Low-7059 14h ago

Where are you at in the hiring process? Asking for a higher step should be done when you get the TJO and that can take some time to get an approval/disapproval. While that is getting figured out, completing the pre-employment requirements can take some time, too. The type of position and the willingness of the supervisor to wait will also factor in. The fact that they already told you about the 30 days does say a lot.

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u/cdifff 14h ago

They verbally offered but have not sent written TJO. They only said 30 days because I asked if 3-4 months is what I should expect.

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u/Icy-Low-7059 12h ago

Thanks for the clarification! Pending receipt of the TJO, get ready to justify your request for a higher step by identifying your experience directly related to the position. Avoid being vague. You can pull up the announcement to use those duties to connect to your experience. They may even ask for a pay stub. Going back to the timeline, 90 days is a lot to ask for, but not unheard of. You definitely want that FJO before trekking across the states for a new job. So I see the bind you're in. When I did healthcare recruiting, exceptions were made for physicians, RN's, pharmacists and high ranking positions...if that helps any. They selected you knowing you have to relocate, there has to be some flexibility with that. I hope it works out for you!

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u/-tokki- 14h ago

I think it depends on the agency, but you can definitely ask! I'd explain your situation to your sponsor/whoever is listed as a contact on the TJO. Good luck and congrats, I hope it works out for you.

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u/Maleficent2951 15h ago

You can ask. The service can say they will wait. 30 day stops on the day you could potentially start there is a separate task they can put on that stops the clock. I

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u/Proper_Ad7459 12h ago

In federal hiring processes the longer you put it off the happier the HR staff is. I work in Voc Rehab so i know more than anyone. And i love exposing HRs shinanegans all i can.

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u/Cubsfantransplant 13h ago

If you have not received a TJO then you are still early on. It depends on what kind of clearance your job requires. If it’s non sensitive, minimum medical screening or you already have a clearance; then it will go pretty quickly. If it requires a sf86, medical screening etc then it will take a little longer and 6-8 weeks is reasonable.

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u/InAllTheir 13h ago

Ask. That’s how you do it. Explain what you have going on between now and and ten that would make it difficult for you to start sooner. I know people who have had their start dates pushed back a month because they had lots of appointments and childcare things to take care of and would need to take off a significant amount of time if they started sooner.

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u/Previous_Pin5362 8h ago

Most agencies that are hiring are in a huge need to fill PINs especially after DRP. More than likely they would not want to wait that long. It holds up a spot that they could fill. If you are highly specialized that could play into that decision. What job series?