Should I hand in my notice?

Jane_B

For info this relates to my last post (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5944490/candidate-background-checks-experience-and-advice-needed)

A company I have received an offer from use a candidate background check service, one of the companies I worked for a few years ago is very small and do not have a HR team/HR email/contact, so the reference check company has nothing on file for them (as they only check HR references)

Since this employment was a few years ago I no longer have my first and last payslip from this company (which is the only form of proof, other than a HR reference this check company will accept), so on the background check it shows 'reference unverified'

I still keep in contact with my line manager from this company, so I usually use her as my reference, but since this check only uses official HR email and phone details they won't use that or take it into account.

I emailed the HR contact I have at the new company and they got back to me today (despite not being in until next week officially) saying they are fine with this and they would keep my offer active, as long as my current company reference comes through properly (which it will since I'm currently working here so can chase it if needs be)

With this now in writing (an email) should I now be comfortable handing my notice in? (as advice from the last thread was not to hand my notice in until the references came back)

Never had these issues before (usually just handed my notice in after getting an offer, since I know my references and can be sure it would all be ok) however i'm getting extra cautious with this process.

TIA

Comms69

Nothing has changed from the last thread. So my advice would be the same as previous.

Jane_B

Comms69 wrote: »

Nothing has changed from the last thread. So my advice would be the same as previous.

Then I will never hand my notice in? As I can't have them ask my current work for a reference, before handing my notice in (surely?)

The offer is based on getting references, usually (in my case and others I speak to) people hand their notice in, then get all the references done while on their notice period, which is the case here (as they have put in writing they are fine with my 2 blip references)

bap98189

No. Do not hand in your notice until you have an offer letter in your hand.

It might be worth you ringing up the new employer and telling them about the reference situation. If they have outsourced the referencing, then the agency probably won't even contact them until they have timed out on those that don't respond. Your new employer may be able to speed that up a bit by having a word with the agency and telling them not to bother with the old references.

getmore4less

Jane_B wrote: »

Then I will never hand my notice in? As I can't have them ask my current work for a reference, before handing my notice in (surely?)

That is what you have to do if you want an unconditional offer before resigning.

You can give them a heads up a request is coming to avoid the why did you not tell us moment.

bap98189

Jane_B wrote: »

Then I will never hand my notice in? As I can't have them ask my current work for a reference, before handing my notice in (surely?)

Of course you can. Employers are often asked for references regarding people who are working for them.

Jane_B

bap98189 wrote: »

No. Do not hand in your notice until you have an offer letter in your hand.

It might be worth you ringing up the new employer and telling them about the reference situation. If they have outsourced the referencing, then the agency probably won't even contact them until they have timed out on those that don't respond. Your new employer may be able to speed that up a bit by having a word with the agency and telling them not to bother with the old references.

I have an offer letter, however it states (as every other offer letter I have ever received) that the offer is subject to satisfactory references. Which is why I am asking. I also have an offer email which states the same.

TELLIT01

Jane_B wrote: »

I have an offer letter, however it states (as every other offer letter I have ever received) that the offer is subject to satisfactory references. Which is why I am asking. I also have an offer email which states the same.

Don't hand your notice in until your potential new employer has received the references from your current employer. What would you do if your current employer doesn't respond to the request and you had already handed in your notice.

Undervalued

Jane_B wrote: »

Then I will never hand my notice in? As I can't have them ask my current work for a reference, before handing my notice in (surely?)

The offer is based on getting references, usually (in my case and others I speak to) people hand their notice in, then get all the references done while on their notice period, which is the case here (as they have put in writing they are fine with my 2 blip references)

Yes, of course you can. It is quite normal.

Ultimately it is up to you but, as I said on your previous thread, be fully aware of the extra risk you are taking if you resign without a formal "unconditional" job offer.

Undervalued

Jane_B wrote: »

I have an offer letter, however it states (as every other offer letter I have ever received) that the offer is subject to satisfactory references. Which is why I am asking. I also have an offer email which states the same.

As above and as discussed on previous thread. Nothing has changed (as far as I can see). Ultimately your call.

Jane_B

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Don't hand your notice in until your potential new employer has received the references from your current employer. What would you do if your current employer doesn't respond to the request and you had already handed in your notice.

Thank you for this, one thing though is, is this normal procedure? Everyone I have ever spoken to in regards to job applications (not this particular one) usually hands their notice in then their new employer does the reference check either during their notice period, or after they start, just from asking friends and family - from seeing these responses, none of them have ever waited for references before handing their notice in, which is why this is weird for me to comprehend.

For me in my current position they didn't even contact my references until 6 weeks after I started - so if I didn't hand my notice in until they got references I provably would have never started!