Job reference timing question

[Wonderbug81]

A few years ago I would think nothing of handing in my notice and asking for a current employer reference as soon as I got a formal offer of employment.

But I've seen how it actually plays out in this more volatile job market more recently with job offers being withdrawn even after contracts are signed.

I've been sent a formal job offer. They've already had in-depth phone conversations with two of my old managers before the offer. They have requested two written references with a statement that they won't contact my current employer until I accept the offer.

But the offer isn't the same as a contract.

Should I not wait until I have at least seen a contract before handing in my notice or giving permission to contact my current employer? Not sure how to navigate this.

Accept the job offer [it's not legally binding on either of you at that stage]. The new employer will seek references. Wait until you've received, signed and returned the contract before handing in your notice.

But if they ask for references before I've handed in my notice and told my employer then my employer's going to be pretty annoyed I've not told them?

Tell your employer (assuming it's your line manager they will contact) that you've been offered another job and they will be contacted for a reference. If reference requests just go to a central HR contact for a basic confirmation of employment reference then I wouldn't necessarily tell your line manager until you've signed the contract and need to hand in your notice.

It's completely normal for the new employer to ask for references before issuing the contract, and you shouldn't hand in your notice before receiving the contract, therefore employers are used to receiving reference requests before the worker has handed in their notice.

Telling an employer that they will receive a reference request is not the same as telling them you are handing in your notice.

Thanks. I don't fully understand how that works though. If you tell the employer to expect a reference, even if you don't go ahead with the new job they basically know you're going to leave at some point soon and it just makes things awkward.

Nobody should be asking for a reference from your current employer before you’ve handed in your notice. That’s why they ask for more than one referee.