Waiting for a formal job offer from CS

[Havanawinter]

I had a CS interview last Wednesday, got verbally offered the job the next day. This was followed with an email offering me the position which I have accepted. They said they’d have a formal offer over “shortly” but it’s nearly a week later and I’ve heard nothing.

I know CS can be painfully slow, but this is technically a NDPB and they have been very efficient at all other stages of the interview process until now.

I know I need to be patient but I have a 3 month notice period in my current role and want to get my notice handed in ASAP. When should I chase? Leave it til next week or is even that too soon?

I don't think they can make a formal offer until the pre-employment checks have cleared. I don't see anything wrong with contacting them and asking them what the timeframe might be.

Does the role require security clearance? But yes as above you'll need to go through PECs and minimum BPSS, if it's an efficient NDPB they should be relatively quick but even in the quickest of organisations it can take 1-2 weeks; did you fill in a form after accepting the role? Did you use a portal for your application? If so it may state what stage you are at on it. If you haven't filled in any paperwork or submitted ID you won't have started the checks so there is no harm asking the question, as someone from outside they should explain the process to you.

Thanks both. I haven’t filled in any forms since accepting, but I filled in an extensive application which included my NI number, scan of my passport, etc. I knew I’d have to have background checks but didn’t realise they’d need to come back before I’d receive my formal offer so that’s very reassuring, thank you.

Oh and the online portal has my status as “Offer in progress”

Never ever hand your notice in until you receive a formal offer from the CS - if you fail the pre-employment checks / vetting you will get the job offer revoked. And yes it does happen. Happened to someone I know when they had an offer from the NCA.

so your formal offer won’t come through until you pass the checks - don’t worry about your 3 month notice, the CS is well aware starting with them can take a literal lifetime

also don't rely on the portal being updated any time soon - I started in a new CS role this week, and the portal still says they're doing pre-employment checks (that they didn't actually do as it was a transfer from another department), last updated 9th Feb 😂

Might just be worth double checking your checks are underway OP, in my experience PECs are done separately and despite having given the information over previously is usually asked for again via an electronic form (bug bear of mine, I lost count of how many times I had to give my passport and driving licence details for my last job, and I was already internal!)

I may be wrong but at worst case they tell you not to worry all underway, at best you've poked them to generate the process if they haven't already!

I’ve had a formal offer start date and then asked me to proceeed with clearance checks!!??