Guides · Updated 23 October 2026

How to answer “What is your notice period?”

What to write when a UK application asks for your notice period, with examples for every situation.

Almost every UK application form asks for your notice period. Employers use it to plan a start date — it is not a test, so a short, accurate answer is best.

Find your real notice period

Check your employment contract or offer letter. If your contract says nothing, the legal minimum you must give after one month in a job is one week, but most contracts set a longer period — commonly one month, and often three months for senior roles.

Example answers

• Employed: “One month.” or “Three months, though I can ask about an earlier release.”
• On probation: “One week (I am in my probation period).”
• Not working: “Available immediately.”
• Contract or temporary role: “My contract ends on 30 November, so I can start from 1 December.”
• Student or graduate: “Available from July after I finish my degree.”

Tips

• Do not shorten it to look keen. Employers expect to wait, and a start date you cannot keep causes problems later.
• If you have holiday left, you may be able to use it to leave earlier — only mention this if you have checked.
• Give the same answer on every application, so your applications stay consistent.