What happens if I don't do my full notice period?

[flumpobumble]

My notice period is particularly long (think mths) what happens if I get a new job and only serve half? I'm intending to leave a massive hand over etc, not just waltzing out the door into the wilderness. I would aslao be available if needed via phone/ email. I'm
Worried my long notice period will put other employers off me

You should try to negotiate for a shorter notice period when you resign.

if that’s not possible and you leave in breach of contract then they could technically sue you for any losses they incur as a result, but those claims are rare in practice. They could also refuse to give you a reference.

How long is long?

Most places have a 3 months notice period now. It won't put a company off you.

Employers expect new recruits to need to work a notice period before starting their new job.

More senior roles tend to have longer notice periods. A month for a junior role, three months for a middle management role and up to 6 months for a very senior role are normal for my industry.

Unless you have a very long notice period that doesn't fit with the seniority of your role, I don't think a notice period would put a recruiter off choosing the best candidate.

Good luck!

Unless there is something weird about your employer, your notice period will reflect your experience and seniority to employers, so potential employers are unlikely to give it a second thought and their own notice periods will be similar. If you are the best person for the job, they'll be happy to wait for you and wouldn't expect you to walk away from your current employer any more than they will be expecting you to do it from them. If they are willing and happy for you to breach your contract to suit them, them consider carefully whether they may be equally happy to throw your contract terms to the wolves when it suits them.

3 months is pretty standard. 6 months for experienced roles is also standard. Or even a year for for senior roles.

Employers who are recruiting will know this and I would be wary of an employer who pressures you to break your contract.

Try and negotiate a shorter notice period if you can. Realistically they are very unlikely to try to enforce the contract by suing you and they can't physically make you turn up to work.
However they can accurately tell future employers that you didn't work your notice. Do you know what their references policy is? My employer only confirms dates so it's a non issue.

I would expect a new job to start after your notice period. Any reason why you think they wouldn’t wait?

Your new employer would know there was a notice period and a good one would respect you fufilling that