Long notice period costing me job opportunities...
Discussion
Hi everyone, I'm aware notice periods have been discussed before, but looking for a little input on my specific situation of having one longer than is expected for my role.
Essentially, I'm a mid level graphic designer with a 3 month notice period, when usually they're rarely ever longer than a month. I figured it wasn't excesively long, with some technical roles etc. in my industry being 6 or even 12 months, however I've had a few interviews now for roles I'd be perfect for, the hiring company have admitted I'm a great candidate and I'm making it to the very end of the process, but they always seem to baulk at the notice period. The person who does get the job is always someone available either immediately, or at much shorter notice. I'd hoped a company might come along who are willing to wait for someone with the right skills and fit, but it feels like just getting someone in ASAP trumps all of that. I've even tried resorting to hinting it might be possible to negotiate it down if there was a firm offer on the table but it doesn't seem to help as there's no guarantee I could do that, and I'm getting a little concerned I might be stuck!
Does anyone have any advice on how to handle it and if there's anything I can do, short of quitting my job and only then applying for a new one?! Just to clarify, when I took the job originally it was only 1 month, but we got taken over and our new contracts stipulated 3 months. I did try and negotiate but there was no movement, either sign it or leave, and I couldn't afford/didn't want to do that at the time. I've now been there nearly 7 years (but it'll be 6 years under the new ownership I believe).
Essentially, I'm a mid level graphic designer with a 3 month notice period, when usually they're rarely ever longer than a month. I figured it wasn't excesively long, with some technical roles etc. in my industry being 6 or even 12 months, however I've had a few interviews now for roles I'd be perfect for, the hiring company have admitted I'm a great candidate and I'm making it to the very end of the process, but they always seem to baulk at the notice period. The person who does get the job is always someone available either immediately, or at much shorter notice. I'd hoped a company might come along who are willing to wait for someone with the right skills and fit, but it feels like just getting someone in ASAP trumps all of that. I've even tried resorting to hinting it might be possible to negotiate it down if there was a firm offer on the table but it doesn't seem to help as there's no guarantee I could do that, and I'm getting a little concerned I might be stuck!
Does anyone have any advice on how to handle it and if there's anything I can do, short of quitting my job and only then applying for a new one?! Just to clarify, when I took the job originally it was only 1 month, but we got taken over and our new contracts stipulated 3 months. I did try and negotiate but there was no movement, either sign it or leave, and I couldn't afford/didn't want to do that at the time. I've now been there nearly 7 years (but it'll be 6 years under the new ownership I believe).
I had a 3 month notice period in an insurance broking position, I moved to a different field but I discussed it with HR when I was ready to hand in my notice and they were happy to cut it short.
At the end of the day, if you're paying someone to be there you want their heart in the work - especially in a salesy position like I was I was hardly going to be motivated.
I honestly don't think notice period has ever been brought up until on boarding started for me.
At the end of the day, if you're paying someone to be there you want their heart in the work - especially in a salesy position like I was I was hardly going to be motivated.
I honestly don't think notice period has ever been brought up until on boarding started for me.
This is one of those times that having six months living costs saved up can come in handy - you could hand in your notice & would have a few months to find a new position. How often do suitable jobs come up? How long would it take to save up enough to survive for six months while looking for work?
p4cks said:
You might be able to negotiate a shorter notice period if you leave on good terms
Alternatively you could always just f
k off after the obligatory one month (the company may pursue you, but unlikely)
I was hoping that could be a possibility, however I'm struggling to actually get an offer for a new job on the basis that new employers aren't willing to entertain the possibility I can't negotiate a shorter one. It is also tempting to do the second option, however it's a small industry that I may end up staying in, or returning to at some point, and I wouldn't want to damage my reputation.Alternatively you could always just f
k off after the obligatory one month (the company may pursue you, but unlikely) joropug said:
I had a 3 month notice period in an insurance broking position, I moved to a different field but I discussed it with HR when I was ready to hand in my notice and they were happy to cut it short.
At the end of the day, if you're paying someone to be there you want their heart in the work - especially in a salesy position like I was I was hardly going to be motivated.
I honestly don't think notice period has ever been brought up until on boarding started for me.
I absolutely agree with this and believe negotiating it shorter is a possibility, but getting to the point where I'm ready to leave is a problem as unfortunately notice period is being discussed in my interviews and they're making it very clear they need someone in last week. Obviously I could lie and say it's shorter than it is and just hope I can negoatiate it down to that, but it could leave me looking a bit of a mug if it doesn't play out that way and it's clear I've lied.At the end of the day, if you're paying someone to be there you want their heart in the work - especially in a salesy position like I was I was hardly going to be motivated.
I honestly don't think notice period has ever been brought up until on boarding started for me.
Mr Pointy said:
This is one of those times that having six months living costs saved up can come in handy - you could hand in your notice & would have a few months to find a new position. How often do suitable jobs come up? How long would it take to save up enough to survive for six months while looking for work?
Being fairly risk averse this hadn't really been an option I'd entertained, but seeing someone else suggest it I'm starting to wonder. Currently I have 3 months worth of pay saved (so technically more than living costs), with saving money on commuting etc at the moment it's possible I could save another few months relatively quickly. Suitable jobs do come up relatively often - at the moment the several jobs I've interviewed for have been a case of being headhunted by the companies themselves, so with active looking and applying I'm fairly confident. Ideally, though, I want my next move to be a forward step in my career and the risk is I end up just having to settle for a job that's worse than my current one if that's the way the winds blow!I suppose the other positive about my job is that freelance is an option, which maybe I could explore to help offset the costs too.
You're between a rock and a hard place really.
When recruiting, I always found people in employment more attractive than those that were not - there was usually a reason someone was out of work and at CV scan level it becomes quite important.
Also someone on a 3 month notice period usually meant they were talented and that their employers didn't want them to leave.
These are vast generalisations, but quite often employers don't spend that long looking at CV's.
My advice would be to stay in your job and find an employer who will wait for you.
When recruiting, I always found people in employment more attractive than those that were not - there was usually a reason someone was out of work and at CV scan level it becomes quite important.
Also someone on a 3 month notice period usually meant they were talented and that their employers didn't want them to leave.
These are vast generalisations, but quite often employers don't spend that long looking at CV's.
My advice would be to stay in your job and find an employer who will wait for you.
Having three months saved up is an excellent start & if you can get it to six fairly quickly you'd be in a good position. It's very freeing to have that sort of buffer & if you are getting headhunted then that's even better. If freelancing is an option then you can fall back on that if the ideal position hasn't turned up at the end of six months.
Don't forget you can start actively looking two months into your notice period as you'd then just have the one month to go.
Don't forget you can start actively looking two months into your notice period as you'd then just have the one month to go.
I don't think 3 months notice is that unusual in the UK (in lots of industries at least) although it can be seen as a bit odd for US run companies or some startups - 3 months is not that long and it is often negotiable once you get to the point of handing in your notice anyway.....
If you are asked to confirm your notice period on an application, I would put - 3 Months (negotiable) and take it from there.
If you are asked to confirm your notice period on an application, I would put - 3 Months (negotiable) and take it from there.
NDA said:
You're between a rock and a hard place really.
When recruiting, I always found people in employment more attractive than those that were not - there was usually a reason someone was out of work and at CV scan level it becomes quite important.
Also someone on a 3 month notice period usually meant they were talented and that their employers didn't want them to leave.
These are vast generalisations, but quite often employers don't spend that long looking at CV's.
My advice would be to stay in your job and find an employer who will wait for you.
Yes, it certainly feels like a rock and a hard place! It has been said that the fact I'm not actively looking and currently in employment does make me more attractive and also puts me in a strong position, and the conversation of why I left would then need a clever answer! I have been trying to stay patient over the past year or so for an employer who will wait for me, but despite having several direct approaches for a role, they've all said something along the lines of "Is your notice period the standard 1 month? We're looking for a quick start". If it comes down to a choice between me and another candidate, the tie breaker will be the notice period (which is exactly how it played out with a role last year).When recruiting, I always found people in employment more attractive than those that were not - there was usually a reason someone was out of work and at CV scan level it becomes quite important.
Also someone on a 3 month notice period usually meant they were talented and that their employers didn't want them to leave.
These are vast generalisations, but quite often employers don't spend that long looking at CV's.
My advice would be to stay in your job and find an employer who will wait for you.
As for the comments of 3 months being fairly standard, that's really interesting - as mentioned, in my interviews it really feels like they're not expecting it. I don't think it helps that in graphic design there's always going to be a pool of talented freelancers/people coming off the back of FTC who may well be looking to move into full time employment and can join at the drop of a hat.
As it stands it feels like my options are 1) stay put and hope someone willing to wait comes along 2) build up some cash reserves and leave, filling in any gaps with freelance and FTC work. I suppose I always figured those were my options, but wanted to check if 3 months was unecessarily long for my job and no one would ever entertain waiting, or if there was some way of convincing potential employers it wouldn't be a problem.
Something to consider here as well is there are an awful lot of very good candidates across multiple fields making the conversion from freelance to perm, this is being driven by the state of many freelance disciplines being negatively impacted by ongoing COVID economic effects and the event tightening IR35 legislation.
As good as you may be the chances are there are people just as good ready to go, so no need for them to wait.
As good as you may be the chances are there are people just as good ready to go, so no need for them to wait.
Having worked for and run creative agencies for the best part of 35 years, I'd say that a 3-month period for a mid-ranking Designer is unusual. Sales and client facing staff; maybe. Unless that is you are working in a very niche field in a specific sector in which case it may be understandable.
You have a couple of options.
1) Look at your contract and see what the ramification to you would be if you left after 1 month. It will likely either stipulate nothing (in which case, you can ignore the notice period beyond one month) or they may stipulate that they will seek recovery of wages for each month you fail to honour your contract terms. The latter will give you the ceiling of liability so you can then consider the affordability of this against the benefits of the new job.
2) When applying for new roles, say that you have a one-month notice. When you get an offer and hand your notice in you say that they need you in a month. See what the response is. If they hold you to the 3 months revert to the new employer to say that they are playing hardball. They will either say that's fine or not - this will give you an indication of their commitment to you. They may say OK but can you reduce it to two months? Either way, this approach gives you options and fodder for a bit of negotiation.
3) Suck it up.
How much holiday have you got left in the current holiday year?
You have a couple of options.
1) Look at your contract and see what the ramification to you would be if you left after 1 month. It will likely either stipulate nothing (in which case, you can ignore the notice period beyond one month) or they may stipulate that they will seek recovery of wages for each month you fail to honour your contract terms. The latter will give you the ceiling of liability so you can then consider the affordability of this against the benefits of the new job.
2) When applying for new roles, say that you have a one-month notice. When you get an offer and hand your notice in you say that they need you in a month. See what the response is. If they hold you to the 3 months revert to the new employer to say that they are playing hardball. They will either say that's fine or not - this will give you an indication of their commitment to you. They may say OK but can you reduce it to two months? Either way, this approach gives you options and fodder for a bit of negotiation.
3) Suck it up.
How much holiday have you got left in the current holiday year?
StevieBee said:
2) When applying for new roles, say that you have a one-month notice. When you get an offer and hand your notice in you say that they need you in a month. See what the response is. If they hold you to the 3 months revert to the new employer to say that they are playing hardball. They will either say that's fine or not - this will give you an indication of their commitment to you. They may say OK but can you reduce it to two months? Either way, this approach gives you options and fodder for a bit of negotiation.
How much holiday have you got left in the current holiday year?
Good advice.....How much holiday have you got left in the current holiday year?
I would change it very slightly - rather than saying you have a one month notice period (which would be false), say that you can be available in a month. I seriously doubt your current employers would sue you for breach of contract if you walked after a month.
The holiday point is a useful one too.
Currently you have a lot of security in your current role, do consider this before jumping ship.
I had this as a manager a few times. The person was just really apologetic but said they had to leave after a month and would work hard to avoid it impacting the company, eg offering to work extra time or be available to answer questions for the replacement when they arrive.
Nobody will pursue you and hopefully you can leave on good terms.
Nobody will pursue you and hopefully you can leave on good terms.
I recently handed my notice in on a job with a 3 month notice period. New employer was happy to wait if necessary but it turned out not to be an issue. Old employer decided 3 months not necessary and wanted me gone ASAP once they realised they weren't able to convince me to stay. Ended up doing 3 weeks notice.
I’m in IT and it’s three months. As an employer we hate having to wait 3mo but accept it as part of the onboarding process and build it into the timeline - Senior people are rarely less than 3 months unless they are on a very old legacy contract.
As an employee I resigned and once I had a sit down with my employer and looked at my current workload (i happened to be in a rare dip) they agreed I could go after 3 weeks. Then the rest of business got wind of it, immediately counter offered and I ended up staying.
As an employee I resigned and once I had a sit down with my employer and looked at my current workload (i happened to be in a rare dip) they agreed I could go after 3 weeks. Then the rest of business got wind of it, immediately counter offered and I ended up staying.
3 months is quite common these days, but it definitely is always negotiable.
Perhaps you could specify 1 month and hand in your notice when you receive a verbal offer... HR will probably take 2 months to edit the relevant fields on their standard contract and send it to you so timing could be perfect.
Perhaps you could specify 1 month and hand in your notice when you receive a verbal offer... HR will probably take 2 months to edit the relevant fields on their standard contract and send it to you so timing could be perfect.
It isn't unheard of for companies to come after people who don't honor notice period, I think they can pursue you for costs in hiring a temp replacement (above your wage), and I don't think it has to state that in the contract (IANAL). As a designer perhaps you leaving could impact in flight projects so they've have to parachute someone in at a much higher cost.
Also, if you are the type to ignore a contract term what message does that send to a new employer.
Does your manager know you are looking to leave? If you are on good terms it might be worth talking to him first, then HR. Or you could as others have said secure a new role then try and negotiate (rightly pointed out who'd want a un-motivated employee hanging around) but that doesn't help with you telling at interview you're on 3 month notice.
Personally, if you are that set on leaving and this is stopping you, I'd try manager discussion first then if enough savings quit, use the time to build up freelance work (may negate need for employed position) and in parallel apply for work. Perhaps there are contract with high rates for quick start times (you know...for people who have left within notice period!). good luck!
Also, if you are the type to ignore a contract term what message does that send to a new employer.
Does your manager know you are looking to leave? If you are on good terms it might be worth talking to him first, then HR. Or you could as others have said secure a new role then try and negotiate (rightly pointed out who'd want a un-motivated employee hanging around) but that doesn't help with you telling at interview you're on 3 month notice.
Personally, if you are that set on leaving and this is stopping you, I'd try manager discussion first then if enough savings quit, use the time to build up freelance work (may negate need for employed position) and in parallel apply for work. Perhaps there are contract with high rates for quick start times (you know...for people who have left within notice period!). good luck!
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