References 25 June 2022 at 5:36PM in Employment, jobseeking & training 23 replies 481 views

Ath_Wat

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

enzolondon1

Throwaway1 said:

enzolondon1 said:

Yes, I have given other reference details but obviously not my current one due to the short period of time I have been there. I have verbally accepted this offer but I will wait to hear from recruitment or speak to them to see what the plan is regarding requesting references. I am sure once my current employer are aware as to my rationale and thoughts for seeking other employment they would rather someone leave especially for someone still in their probationary period who is not finding the role suitable. 

You staying longer gives them more time to advertise and find a replacement though.

I would absolutely agree ordinarily but my current role is a project based role and it currently isn't fully staffed as they cannot recruit for a full team. By me giving them longer to find a replacement will not make an awful lot of difference.

enzolondon1

Ath_Wat said:

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

I was always under the impression that you should not hand your notice in till you have a firm offer on the table I.e start date and reference checks have been made.

MovingForwards

enzolondon1 said:

Ath_Wat said:

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

I was always under the impression that you should not hand your notice in till you have a firm offer on the table I.e start date and reference checks have been made.

Enzo, your stance is what most people take as it's a risk resigning without a confirmed job to go to.

enzolondon1

MovingForwards said:

enzolondon1 said:

Ath_Wat said:

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

I was always under the impression that you should not hand your notice in till you have a firm offer on the table I.e start date and reference checks have been made.

Enzo, your stance is what most people take as it's a risk resigning without a confirmed job to go to.

Thanks, so are you saying I should not hand in my notice without a confirmed job to go to or that most people take the risk?

MovingForwards

enzolondon1 said:

MovingForwards said:

enzolondon1 said:

Ath_Wat said:

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

I was always under the impression that you should not hand your notice in till you have a firm offer on the table I.e start date and reference checks have been made.

Enzo, your stance is what most people take as it's a risk resigning without a confirmed job to go to.

Thanks, so are you saying I should not hand in my notice without a confirmed job to go to or that most people take the risk?

Most people don't hand their notice in until an unconditional job offer is received.

I have taken the risk this time as I couldn't stand the company I worked for. However, I've money in the bank, low monthly outgoings and could be temping in a few days if I wanted. 

Ath_Wat

MovingForwards said:

enzolondon1 said:

MovingForwards said:

enzolondon1 said:

Ath_Wat said:

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

I was always under the impression that you should not hand your notice in till you have a firm offer on the table I.e start date and reference checks have been made.

Enzo, your stance is what most people take as it's a risk resigning without a confirmed job to go to.

Thanks, so are you saying I should not hand in my notice without a confirmed job to go to or that most people take the risk?

Most people don't hand their notice in until an unconditional job offer is received.

I have taken the risk this time as I couldn't stand the company I worked for. However, I've money in the bank, low monthly outgoings and could be temping in a few days if I wanted. 

I work in software development and I don't think "most people" do this at all - in fact, I have never received any communication after getting an offer subject to references telling me that references have been taken up.  The process is entirely invisible and I don't know for certain if it takes place at all, although I assume it does.  I've never, ever personally known or heard of  an offer being retracted due for references.

In what field is your experience that most people wait for a "firm" offer before resigning.  Who tells them references have been received?  What does their current employer generally do when they receive the reference request and the employee has not yet told them about the new offer or resigned?

Ath_Wat

enzolondon1 said:

Ath_Wat said:

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

I was always under the impression that you should not hand your notice in till you have a firm offer on the table I.e start date and reference checks have been made.

Again, in my experience and my field prospective start dates have always been agreed before any reference checks are (or are not) made.  What is the norm in your business?  It may be some industries put far greater emphasis on references than others.

General_Grant

Ath_Wat said:

enzolondon1 said:

Ath_Wat said:

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

I was always under the impression that you should not hand your notice in till you have a firm offer on the table I.e start date and reference checks have been made.

Again, in my experience and my field prospective start dates have always been agreed before any reference checks are (or are not) made.  What is the norm in your business?  It may be some industries put far greater emphasis on references than others.

Ath_Wat said:

enzolondon1 said:

Ath_Wat said:

If they have made an offer I am not sure what the issue is - in my industry at least, once you accept an offer you hand in your notice.  This would only be a problem if you anticipate there being a problem with references (assuming this is all the offer depends on).  They are not going to rescind an offer unless the references say you got sacked for stealing or similar, or say "Who?  Never heard of them".  They are not expecting essays telling them how wonderful you are.

I was always under the impression that you should not hand your notice in till you have a firm offer on the table I.e start date and reference checks have been made.

Again, in my experience and my field prospective start dates have always been agreed before any reference checks are (or are not) made.  What is the norm in your business?  It may be some industries put far greater emphasis on references than others.

In the OP's case the new role is in the NHS.  Employers in the NHS often take up references before interview but one can ask them to delay this until an offer has been made and accepted.

MovingForwards

@Ath_Wat
NHS, education, councils etc say the offers are conditional. Some take up references before interview, some after and it's a case of waiting for the start date. When that's received it generally means everything has come through and is ok.

My private sector roles have always involved a job offer, confirmed start date, with the risk of it being pulled if they're not happy with anything, even after starting. It's been a 1 - 3 month notice period, therefore plenty of time to get references.