When is it best to hand in your notice?

Headachecity

Registered User
Messages
213
Hi all,

just wondering, when you are offered a new position do you:

1. Hand in your notice once you get the call that you got the job
OR
2. Await the offer in writing/contract of employment before you say anything.

My reason for asking this is that I got offered a new job closer to home and it's great, was offered it a week ago and I emailed in my references etc and the new employer said they would forward my contract of employment in a matter or hours and still no email from them.
So, I have not handed in my notice yet to be on the safe side as there is no way I can be out of a job.

Am I doing the right thing, told them at the interview I have to give a months notice and they said that should mean a start date of around April 23rd but I have not handed in my notice as I have nothing concrete to say the job is mine.

We have just bought a house and are closing in the next 2 weeks so I don't want to mess up just before cheque drawdown.

What do you think??..am I right to wait for the offer in writing?.
 
Wait.

I had a verbal offer like that before and I nearly went ahead and handed in my notice. Luckily I didn't as the job was not available for 6 months due to funding issues and then It was re-advertised.

I suggest you tell no-one until you have the contract with their signature on it.
also once you hand in your notice you have very little scope for negotiating holidays and pay with the new employer.

StoryBud
 
Even if you get a new job you can be let go any time up to 12 months into the job so don't overestimate the security of having something more binding than just a verbal offer.
 
You see that's the worry. I am 5 years happily in my current job and the only reason I am leaving is the commute. We are moving to Rathdrum so I really can't do that drive each day into town plus I have to drop the kids off to school & creche in Bray on the way in. I might go mad!!.
This new job is in Bray which would mean I am only driving to Bray from Rathdrum everyday plus I am beside the school so can collect my son everyday and near the creche for my daughter. It's ideal and it's great money aswell BUT security is the utmost in a job and I feel I could make a grave mistake handing in my notice prior to getting a written contract of employment. Wonder what the hold up is?, the day I had the interview they rang me in a matter of hours to offer me the position.
I know I am not "safe" until I have completed the probabtion period but this is my chance to be working close to home and I can't risk losing what I have at the moment either!. The house is also very important!.
 
As your new employer should be delighted to ease the move from your current job to your new job....They should provide the contract to you asap. It also has the benifit of making sure that all conditions agreed between you and the new employer are down on paper. Only when you have returned your signed copy would I hand in my notice.....not before...
 
Thanks Clubman, yes I was aware of being there 12 months before I am fully covered by law for most entitlements as I can't use my parental leave until I am there a year unfortunatley so I am making that sacrifice to move jobs.
I am going to send her another email about the contract of employment and that I won't be handing in my notice until I have it in writing, thing is though the person I am replacing is leaving on April 14th and they wanted me in as near to that date as possible and it's not going to happen at this rate. I am a bit afraid that she might be annoyed that I have not handed in my notice here yet but she has to understand my right to wait on written confirmation surely?!.
 

Then it is up to them to expedite delivery of your contract, I went for 3 interviews with a US multinational last one was with the HR manager he told me I had the job and the contract would be in the post in the moring....no contract came and I got a call 2 days later to say the position had been put on hold indefinetly, If I had handed in my notice then I would have been rightly fecked.
 
Lads, listen to this for a load of you know what!!..hubby rang me as the contract came in the post and they have the job down as a 6 month contract with a view to permanacy PLUS covering someones maternity leave..complete opposite to what they said at the interview. So needless to say there is no way I am risking that so I'm back looking again for an accoutants position in a permanent capacity closer to home. Thanks be to god I kept quiet where I am!!
 
Really annoying, but at least you don't have to go cap in hand to ask for your own job back.

I sugggest you ring them anyway, but don't accept the "it is company policy to ...blah, blah, blah......". Only accept the job if the written Contract is acceptable, not empty promises.

Good luck with your job search.

StoryBud
 
I sent them an email telling them from a career persepecive there is no way I could take on the risk of a 6 month contract, especially when it's also coverting maternity leave as I know I would be let go when that person returns. I have been on maternity leave twice where I am and both times it was clearly stated to the person that covered my mat leave that it was temp until I returned!. They should be upfront.