Employee reference question

[speed_nut_yn]

Hi all

I am currently working at a large IT consultancy, however am interviewing at some other places and am very close to getting an offer at one of the places. I wanted to know what people usually do when receiving an offer depending on satisfactory references.. at that point would you inform your current manager and hand in your notice? Or would you wait until a firm offer is made? I am unsure as to what i should do in this situation as I am wary of handing in my notice until I have a firm offer just in case all of a sudden the job offer is not there anymore.. I'm not concerned about bad references, as my performance has been very good and my manager is very happy with me. I was thinking of using some colleagues / senior consultants I have worked with as referees and just asking them not to mention anything to anyone until I have a firm offer?

Does something like this seem acceptable? What would other people do in similar situation?

Apologies if It sounds like a stupid question, just didn't want to handle the situation in such a way which would ps off my current employers, as they have been very good to me, Im only wanting to leave due to the working away from involved in consultancy, otherwise very happy with the job

Thanks

[Liszt]

You get the offer, you sign it, they sign it. You then give them the references and resign.
As long as you are not an axe wielding murderer or have lied you should be fine.

Most big organisations insist that HR do references and all they will do is confirm your job title and dates you worked for the company.