When to hand in notice

[bedonde]

I’ve received a new job offer in writing (an email from hiring manager with all the key benefits set out). I’m on 3 months’ notice with my current employer so want to hand in my notice in relatively short order. My question is whether it’s ill-advised to hand in my notice until I have a contract from the new employers, or whether handing in my notice once a written offer is received is standard practice. Presumably the contract wouldn’t be signed by the new employer until they’ve taken up satisfactory references anyway; so any contract I get is going to be ‘draft’ anyway. Logically speaking I’d also need to have resigned before they approach my employer for references. So there’s no particular rationale for waiting until a contract comes through, and a written offer is probably sufficient. Have I answered my own question here…?

[softtop]

You may have answered yourself but not right.

Only once you have received a formal offer and you have signed and returned do you hand in your notice. You should talk to them and say only once you have done this can they approach for a reference.

[breadvan]

+1

Also, use the opportunity to read the small print in the contract. Whilst there's no reason to doubt anything said by a hiring manager in the i/v, its always prudent to read the contract thoroughly.

[snotrag]

Get the contract. Read it, Sign it and return it.

Then send them the reference details, and hand your notice in.


That's how I've always done it - "references available upon request".

You don't want them ringing your boss up before you've told him your leaving do you?


I've done this for every move and always assumed that is the best way.

[bedonde]

Sensible advice, thanks. Pretty important to get it right. Seems logical - it’s just been a while since I’ve been involved in the process.
Accept offer, await contract, review terms, sign and return and provide referee details. Then hand in notice.

[breadvan]

Good luck in your new job BTW.

[Biggus thingus]

Cover your arse, plan in abit of downtime between leaving and starting, drop bombshell to current employer, ride it out having an easy life getting ready for a new adventure

Hope it works out!

[bedonde]

breadvan said:

Good luck in your new job BTW.

Thanks, it’s a generous offer so hopefully a no brainer.

[bedonde]

Biggus thingus said:

Cover your arse, plan in abit of downtime between leaving and starting, drop bombshell to current employer, ride it out having an easy life getting ready for a new adventure

Hope it works out!

Thanks. Agree completely, seen so many others leave my current employer and do similar.

[Fat hippo]

I’d consider taking holiday whilst in your current role.
That way you can leave on a Friday and start on a Monday and have ‘continuous employment’.

Appreciates it sounds stupid but some overzealous HR / background check firms get difficult with breaks in employment history.

[Jasandjules]

bedonde said:

So there’s no particular rationale for waiting until a contract comes through, and a written offer is probably sufficient. Have I answered my own question here…?

You hand in your notice after you have a signed contract and not before. A verbal offer/chat/guaranteed job offer/email noting key terms is nothing until you have an actual contract of employment and written offer to be signed and returned..... Before that point you have no offer and it may not materialise......

[John Laverick]

ALWAYS wait for the contract.