I hope you have all had a great holiday season and have been in the holiday spirit. It is the time of New Years Resolutions, so if you have a resolution to find a new job, this is for you! Our society has reached a time of instant gratification, and this applies to our finances and our jobs. We want our paycheck as soon as possible; some people want or need it to the point that get a cash advance. I do not recommend that, but I know we get desperate at times.
Can I start now?
What I see a lot and get questions on a lot by teenagers and adults is that they think they can just work or if a manager talks to them that they have the job. So many just assume because I was interviewed that I got the job or just because I was offered the job I can begin working today. HR has to be involved and get the right paperwork and legal requirements completed. I know some people probably do not actually assume this and are just overexcited or hopeful or maybe desperate, but it actually hurts your chances of getting the job. If you jump to the conclusion you have it and especially try to start working, it gives a bad impression about you.
What are they doing? Why is it taking so long?
In human resources, instant gratification is not part of the process. There are so many mandatory steps required by law and company policies. Most places require an application and interviews. One thing that people do not understand is I-9. I-9 is proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States and by law has to be completed within 3 days of hire (remember hire date is often interchangeable with start date). Trust me, HR and your new manager want you to work just as much as you do, we just have a lot of behind the scenes work to do to make it happen and legal.