When can you join our company? In job interview, think twice before you answer this question

Gary Shapiro, a towering figure in the consumer technology industry, has spent over three decades as the CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organization behind CES, the world’s largest technology trade show. Known for championing free trade, skilled immigration, and policies that encourage innovation, Shapiro has testified before US Congress on numerous occasions.

One of Shapiro’s key strategies for evaluating job candidates centers on a seemingly simple interview question: “How soon can you start?” While the question might appear straightforward, he said in an interview with CNBC, the response often serves as a litmus test for a candidate’s professionalism and alignment with Shapiro’s values.

At CTA, he places significant value on employees leaving under positive circumstances. Providing adequate notice and ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities fosters goodwill and reflects a person’s respect for their colleagues and organization. Shapiro’s emphasis on how candidates handle their job transitions extends beyond interviews.


For individuals currently employed, answering that they can begin immediately or within a very short timeframe is often disqualifying. Shapiro views such responses as indicative of a lack of loyalty and commitment to their current employer. To him, the willingness to abruptly leave a job without providing adequate notice signals that the same behavior could be repeated in the future.

Sharing one notable instance, Shapiro said that once he interviewed a candidate for the position of chief operating officer. When asked how soon she could transition, the candidate explained that she would require up to six weeks to ensure a smooth exit from her current role. This thoughtful response resonated with Shapiro, as it reflected her dedication to her responsibilities and her respect for her employer. Ultimately, this approach secured her the position.

Shapiro has also been an acclaimed author, whose books include “Ninja Future: Secrets to
Success in the New World of Innovation”, “Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World’s Most Successful Businesses” and “The Comeback: How Innovation will Restore the American Dream” (Beaufort, 2011).