What's a reasonable amount of time to allow a new hire to start the job?

Rule of thumb for leaving a job is to give 2 weeks notice. But let's say, assuming no unusual circumstances like moving to a different state, how long is reasonable for an employer to wait for a new hire to start?

are you going to be made an offer?

beyond what is mutually agreeable and workable.

In my first job, we typically hired people coming out of college 6 months or more prior to start date and closed applications for the current year by April. (We do one three-week F/T all-hands-on-staff new-hire training a year.) In my current position, nobody ever starts within one month of their offer-date mostly because of training scheduling...that seems to be average across all industries excepting unskilled labor and retail. I've had a job offer where they rescinded the offer because I couldn't start within 3 days. (They gave me an ultimatum to bail on the requisite 2 weeks to my current employer or else I couldn't take the position.)

Two weeks to work out a notice with your current employer, and one additional week to have a break between jobs, get yourself together for the new job, etc. I hire people and I'd be reluctant to wait more than three weeks for any employee, assuming, as you say, no unusual circumstancess.

For instance, you have to give at least 30 notice (sometimes 60) if you intend to vacate an apartment. Now, I for one cannot afford too much of an overlap in rents. Plus organizing a move takes some time, usually a couple of weeks at least. Obviously if you are moving to a new job in the same location none of this would apply. I only apply for jobs out of state these days so I hope I get at least a month. Anything less is impossible really.

to another state. I would say that if you got a job in a new state, you would have to work it out on a case-by-case basis. If the employer is willing to hire somebody that is moving from another state, I would think either covering your rent for the 30/60 days, or else waiting those 30 or 60 days would be reasonable.

My last two jobs have been 700 and 1000 miles away respectively. In both cases I was given 36 hours notice to pack, get my car ready, etc.

First job, I got the offer on a Sunday and they expected me there on Wednesday.

2nd job, I got the offer on a Friday and I was expected there on Monday.

Now I am getting ready to work all of 5 minutes from home, however I am waiting on the funding for my salary to come through.

Maybe if the notice is midweek I would allow more (ie starting on a Monday). I will admit my field is pretty unusual but I LOVE everything about it (I am a campaign staffer). When it comes to moving across the country, the campaign does provide you housing.

2 weeks notice from current job, and maybe a week's break in between. More than that, it would have to be some special situation ("well, I'm getting married in three weeks...") or somebody hired before they graduate college or something.

I've had employers wait 6-8 weeks for me to start to give time for me to disentangle from previous organization with the least negative impact to them. New employer appreciated that I wouldn't leave the previous organization in a bad spot.

A head hunter is looking at me now for a position, but I told her I can't make myself available until September. I'm sure they want to place someone before that. But maybe they won't find someone with a comparable track record.

It's a big investment to bring on new staff. If an organization has a candidate they feel really good about, it's usually worth it to wait than to take a higher risk on a candidate who is not as good of a fit. It's better to wait 3 months for the right person than to wait 2 weeks for the wrong person and have to replace them in a year.