To not hand notice in until contract signed and references passed

Contracts come with a start date. You have to agree that with the recruiter. So assuming they can provide the start date just around your notice period, then you sign and not until then do you hand your notice in.

Yes, this.

You don't have to hand your notice in until you've signed it though, but you should be able to agree a proposed start date. If for some reason things get delayed, the contract date can be amended.

Contracts have to include start dates. When I worked in HR you would receive an offer in writing, which detailed your salary, hours, holiday and base. Then you would be expected to resign your old role and tell us when you could start. You can't sign a contract that doesn't say when the contract comes into effect, this would be a legal headache.

I would just state to them what your notice period is eg one month. Then I would just say ‘I will hand my notice in when I have received a copy of my signed contract and confirmation of passing referencing. My earliest start date will be wholly dependent on those three factors.’ No need for anything flowery or apologetic. As others have said under no circumstances hand in your notice until everything is sorted to your satisfaction. Companies that withdraw job offers once made are arseholes in my opinion. It seems to be becoming more prevalent though.

If it’s a separate recruitment company they will just be trying to ensure they get the money associated with getting someone into the role. If it’s the company themselves this also raises a bit of a flag to me about their organisation and expectations on people.

See I would go around and stand in front of their premises and tell everyone walking past what they did. This happened to my wife's friends daughter and I've slagged the pub off to everyone....you need integrity in business.

Yes wait. My friend had a similar problem to the above posters friend. Handed in her notice and then the job offer was taken away. She asked for her old job back and luckily they hadn’t recruited anyone at that point although they had had interviews and were about to. She was allowed her job back but had to stay for a certain period of time and some other stipulations. She was so lucky.

My best friend accepted a role last year and was initially waiting on signing the contract. She did then put in notice for her old job, when pressured into an earlier starting date and turned down another job offer. At the end of the Friday, with her supposedly due to start the new job on Monday, they withdrew the job offer and my friend was really screwed. She had to live on the last of her savings until the eventually secured another job over 2 months later. Luckily, it turned out to be a great position but this example would make me wary. Hang in there till you got it all in writing!

I know everyone gets fed up with AI on here… but surely in a work capacity this is a go to?

Dear [Recruiter's Name],
Thank you for following up regarding the start date for the new role. I am very excited about the opportunity to join [Company Name] and am eager to get started.
However, I would feel more comfortable providing a confirmed start date once I have received and signed the official contract and have been informed that I have successfully passed the referencing process. This will ensure that all formalities are completed and allow me to hand in my notice with confidence.
I hope you understand my position and I look forward to receiving the contract and further details about the referencing process soon.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Best regards,
[Your Name]