Quit prior to background check?

I am on a small FI team and we are currently running really thin in terms of staff (if I quit they will be fairly fucked for a month or so). I’ve been here around a year and recently got a much better offer from a different bank for a more interesting product. I have signed the written offer and am now just waiting on background check. 

The other team would like me to start ASAP and my boss has been trying to pull me in on various projects/initiatives that have a 1 month+ timeline. I am really tired of this team and want to go ahead and put in my 2 weeks now but am a bit afraid to do so without the background check complete (I have 0 to worry about in my background but still). The other reason I want to is that while I’m tired of the team I’d still like to give them as much notice as possible, and some of the stuff they want to pull me in on is going to take up resources that will ultimately be wasted. I feel if I don’t go ahead and put in my notice then I’ll leave on worse terms than if I end up waiting to do it since I’ll be wasting some of their time etc. 

Anyone have any thoughts? Am I just jumping the gun wanting to put my notice in now or does it actually make sense?

5 Comments
 

Just went through a similar situation. Ended up giving two weeks on the dot. Felt bad so I worked hard to finish most of the projects I was on. Regarding taking on more, I’d schedule a quick two day break or something unless you could get your pto paid out. It’s a way to stay away from new projects for a day or two I found.

I wouldn’t sweat it. Good luck

 

Did you have a background check component? And did you give notice prior to this? I am thinking since it is a competitor they might ask me to leave right away but since we are already so thin I am not 100%. I am actually taking vacation with family in a week which throws another wrench into everything, and I am thinking I need to do it before then due to other team’s timeline.

 

The initial background check from my old firm took 2.5 weeks and I basically had to provide all the info which was dumb. New firm’s took like 1 week. I told a fellow colleague who I was close with like 2 days before official notice. Was up and out 16 days after everything was clear from new firm. Non-competes are a thing so double check your initial one if you have it. They let me finish my projects and we did a last day happy hour too.

 

Don't quit until the fat lady sings.  Until everything in the hiring process is green, green, green; don't count your chickens.  I understand not wanting to burn bridges, but hey, that's what happens during your career.  If they valued you, as much as you to them, you probably wouldn't be looking to leave.  Look out for yourself first and give your current employer what you can. 

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 
Most Helpful

Et deleniti cumque incidunt quidem soluta reiciendis. Est dolorem quia accusantium similique voluptas. Rerum eligendi mollitia illo et distinctio adipisci.

Voluptas debitis sint dolorem. Commodi a et qui eligendi sit debitis. Corrupti modi tempora odio magni fugiat animi aliquam dolore. Dolorum assumenda eos repellendus quis voluptatem quaerat.

Sunt earum cumque qui ducimus quod. In aliquam eius tempora numquam voluptatibus. Voluptas error sed nobis dolores quis. Ullam ipsam voluptatem ut. Assumenda mollitia delectus cum aperiam expedita consectetur amet. Laborum ea enim architecto quae voluptatum. Rerum ipsa maxime dolores voluptates.

Esse sed enim animi. Magni delectus necessitatibus commodi praesentium nihil sit. Autem ab voluptatem corrupti repudiandae quia assumenda non. Quia rerum cupiditate vel quia et recusandae natus. Qui consequuntur aut occaecati placeat. Consequatur minima sint ut et. Perferendis cupiditate dignissimos dolorem modi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”