Hypothetical: Offer Letter

[Pilsy]

Is it poor form to tell a company your start date will be dependent upon your receipt of an offer letter? I mean, if they say you'll start on X, and you say that will probably be fine but you will confirm after receiving the offer letter and giving notice...because you are close to not having 2 weeks' notice to give, unless you act without the letter.

Sorry if that is confusing. I am waking up and on my iPad so not into correcting errors.

Generally, I think it must be typical, but what do you think? does your opinion change if you play the part of the employer? Does that imply a lack of trust? Being difficult?

Thanks.

[Deleted]

I would ask them if the start date is flexible--in my office sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

[mcfelix]

That is absolutely not being difficult. In my experience that is definitely a reasonable request. I would not give notice at a current job until I had some sort of security about the new position.

Plus it happened a few times at my previous employer, where we would tell someone we planned to offer them a position and when the final request went up to our corporate office, they would not approve a hire bc of financial reasons. It was shitty.

[hulley]

I agree. I've done this in the past and DH did it for his recent job change. You have to protect your interests.

[pamela]

Reasonable request, especially if they are being slow in sending an offer.

One thing I DESPISE about our Fortune 500 company's hiring process is they won't issue a hard copy offer until you accept a verbal offer. Which also means you really don't know anything about the other benefits. Drives me mad.

[noodleoo]

Yes, you should definitely ask! They should understand that you want to give your old job 2 weeks notice and at least allow you to do that. It may not be flexible, but it should to be a negative to ask for it. After all, It shows that you respect your current job and want to transition appropriately, which actually shows you to be a good employee!

With my recent job change, they were somewhat flexible. My offer was also contingent on a drug test and background test. I knew they would clear, but I tried to wait to give notice after the results came back just I case. So you may want to consider the time that takes as well in your start date. I got one back, but had to give notice before the other.

[Pilsy]

Thank you all. Sometimes I just need a sanity check or a little reassurance. Definitely want to start off on the right foot but not at the cost of security or lack of professionalism.