Notice periods, references and the weeks between jobs
You have accepted an offer. Here is how to resign well, what the law says about notice in the UK, and what to expect from references and checks.
Accepting an offer is a milestone, but it is not quite the finish line. Between saying yes and starting the new role, there is a practical stretch that is worth handling carefully: resigning, working your notice, references, and pre employment checks.
Do not resign until the offer is firm
Wait until you have a written offer, and ideally until any conditions such as references or checks are satisfied, before resigning from your current role. A verbal offer is encouraging; a conditional offer still has conditions.
Notice periods: what the law says
In the UK, your contract usually specifies how much notice you must give. If it does not, the legal minimum notice an employee must give is one week, once they have been employed for at least a month.
In practice, contractual notice periods are often longer, commonly one month, and sometimes three months or more for senior roles. Check your contract before agreeing a start date with your new employer.
It is sometimes possible to agree a shorter notice period with your current employer, but they are not obliged to agree. Some employers may ask you to take “garden leave”, where you remain employed and paid but do not come in to work.
Resign well
The way you leave is remembered. A few principles help:
- Tell your manager first, in person or by call where possible, then confirm in writing.
- Keep your resignation letter short and positive. State that you are resigning, your last working day, and thank them.
- Offer a good handover. Document your work and help train whoever takes over.
- Do not criticise anyone on the way out. Industries are smaller than they look.
References
Many employers request references before confirming an offer. You will usually be asked for one or two referees, often your most recent manager.
A few things worth knowing:
- In most cases, employers are not legally required to give a reference. Some only confirm your job title and dates of employment, which is common and not a bad sign.
- If a reference is given, it must be accurate and fair.
- Always ask your referees for permission first, and let them know what role you are going for.
Pre employment checks
Depending on the role, your new employer may carry out checks such as:
- Right to work checks, which all UK employers must carry out.
- Verification of qualifications and employment history.
- Criminal record checks for certain roles, such as those working with children or vulnerable adults, or in regulated sectors.
Respond promptly to any requests. Delays in checks are one of the most common reasons start dates slip.
Use the gap well
If you have a break between roles, use some of it to rest. Arriving refreshed is an underrated advantage. If you have time, read about your new organisation, connect with your future colleagues on LinkedIn, and think about what you want to achieve in your first few months.
We stay with the people we represent right through to their first day, because a search is not really finished until the new role has properly begun.