So I got a job, but once again I need DU's wise advice

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

I have gotten a great job for a well known company several states away. I'm now waiting for the formal job offer letter. My future boss was finalizing the letter on Wednesday. I still haven't gotten it (I have passed an extensive background check and hair drug test), but I'm getting nervous because my start date is May 21 and I'd like to give my current employer the standard two weeks' notice. I will also need to have 2 weeks' time to travel from coast to coast to the new location (at a leisurely pace).

The problem is (1) I'm dealing with the time zone (Eastern v. Pacific); and (2) my current boss will be gone all next week and possibly part of the following week - which would be my last.

So, my question is... what do I do? I would like to give notice to my boss in person, but I'm not going to resign before having an official offer letter in my possession.

Ideas? Suggestions?

[seabeyond]

1. call him today. tell him you would like to give two weeks. is the letter in the mail.....

and if he says yes, you would have to trust.

[PoliticAverse]

2. Yes call him and explain the situation. n/t

[dmallind]

3. Agree with the others, and add a hopefully positive anecdote

Big companies work slowly with red tape and multiple obstacles and many people in the chain. It's not like small places where you get a single sign off and then drop the letter in the mail. I worked for a 80B company that took over three months to hire me after they said they would, and in my current job at a 4B company we have to wait two more weeks for the process to tell somebody officially who we decide to hire two weeks ago.

You can certainly explain your position but don't be too obnoxious is my suggestion. Your hiring manager is probably just one cog in aq 20-gear machine that has to turn before your letter comes out the other end. The higher up they are, the more they may be able to plough through obstacles if you insist AND if they care to, but unless there is "VP" or better on the card they gave you, it's unlikely they can get anything very quickly.

So it's probably not suspicious or a sign of disrespect if this takes awhile. It's just that they have built up like most companies a bloody-minded bureaucracy to get shit done.

Just wait till you have to deal with access to IT systems. I was hired specifically for my expertise with SAP. It took me three and a half weeks to get a password. I've been here almost a year and I still don't have all the access I could usefully leverage.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

4. My big concern is that the start date is set for May 21

and I want to give my current employer of 4 years - whom I respect and admire and like a lot - the courtesy of a two weeks' notice, since I'm in an administrative role where I currently manage lots of things for which there is no one else to do them.

I just don't want to offer my resignations and then have an issue come up with the job offer (for instance, I'm still unsure as to the salary - a compensation committee is supposed to set that)...

And, having to deal with the time zone issue adds to the stress. This is a very large hospitality industry employer (over 60K employees), but I will be working in the corporate section (which is much smaller).

[seabeyond]

5. you are dealing with an employer who would appreciate an employee addressing exactly what you are

with your current employee. there is nothing wrong from an employers point of view getting this information so you can be responsible with current employer. as a matter of fact, it shows your future employer what to expect out of you.

right now, it is work hours from one coast to the other. get the info you need to give your employer your two week today. on a friday. gives him time to think about it this weekend and get on it monday. all around perfect for you to take care of it today.

[Honeycombe8]

6. I agree with this.

Simply call him directly and explain in a "I hate to rush or bother you, but I have a concern about the timing that affects my giving my current employer a full two weeks' notice."

He may think you can rely on his word, and the letter is just a formality (that would be naive thinking in this day and age, but he still could think that).

You may not want to mention wanting the extra time for a leisurely drive. Although we all understand it, it may not sound great to him, since you're asking him to hurry up and do something. He may be super busy.

You are totally right about needing the letter in hand, though!

Congrats on your new job!