Can you trust a verbal offer ?
I interviewed recently for a strong real estate broker. I was told that the next step would be an offer by an SVP. HR then set up a meeting with the MD and myself, it was very casual. He then asked for references, which I then provided (was told by a friend that I should've waited for an official offer before providing references), then HR told me the next step would be to meet the team in person for the first time, which I now did. At that point I was expecting an offer. I sent a thank you note as one would normally do after an interview, expressing my interest in the community. HR then replied thank you and that they're now reviewing all candidates and will meet as a group.I'm confused. Is it just me or does this seem backwards? VP said I'd be getting an offer as the next step, then met the president who asked for references (which cleared), then officially met them in person and am now being told by HR that they are meeting as a group to review all candidates?
UPDATE: I got the job, so yeah you can sometimes trust a verbal offer.
Having someone give you a verbal offer is obviously a very positive sign, but NEVER take that as a guarantee. They may have misspoke, they may not have the authority to do that, hiring needs may have changed, a bunch of stuff can go wrong between those words and the contract. Be happy about it (means you did well), but I’ve seen people F’d by taking it as a “done deal”. I would say 95%+ of the time it’s right, but I have been around enough to not trust it until it is in writing and signed.
I hope so. Would be unfortunate if it didn’t work out as this process took almost two months to do.
Wouldn’t overthink it. Obviously seems like the team likes you and you are moving along the process, but I would hold off on making life arrangement e.g. moving.
Congrats if you get the role, no big deal if you don’t.
Echo'd above and can obviously be happy but I only really think it's final after I've signed the offer letter and they confirm receipt.
Even if you have an offer letter and sign it they can still pull it at any time. Verbal offer is great and act excited to join the team, but in no way is it a done deal.
That makes perfect sense. It’s just strange this entire process. They’ve asked for references told me I’d get an offer, albeit I believe that it was an informal indication that they liked me not that I’d be guaranteed anything, and now I’m being told that they are weighing out their options.
I get that, to provide another viewpoint I was asked to provide references up front with my availability. Everyone's process is different, I wasn't told I had an offer verbally but I'd look at that as a positive sign but not guaranteed. Keep applying and interviewing for other roles, worst case these other roles and maybe offers can be used against this firm if they do give you an offer.
I literally just got fcked by a verbal offer turning out to nothing. Take it from me, nothing is official until you have the offer signed.
Never trust a verbal offer and never provide references until you have something written, in hand.
Why are you getting MS?
Who knows - it's good advice but apparently not everyone wants to take it.
A verbal offer is only as good as a person's word and not everyone is trustworthy. I've experienced it myself. In terms of references, if you provide references before you have a written offer, your current employer is going to get a call (if you don't provide a current reference then that's just weird) about you looking to move. If that offer never materializes, you're not in a bad situation with your current employer.
Yup I can now fully agree to what you say...
My last two jobs asked for references and called them before I got an offer. Don't think it matters at many places it is a last check before an offer.
True, but if they ask about current role it's so awkward - have you had them reach out to your current place and if so how did that go? Mine was a mess.
How long did it take between the reference check and getting an offer?
Do not stress out and overthink. You are 99% through the process. But do not trust a verbal offer. You still need the final 1%.
A.k.a keep searching, interviewing, applying, etc.
Trying my best here! Interview was Wednesday still waiting here, they said they’d get back to me in a few days. Still nothing.
Tldr - It’s a positive sign, but it’s only a real offer in writing. Continue interviewing/networking until they send you a letter to sign.
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