You should always act mature, even when everyone else is acting for self interest. So give notice, you may meet up with some of these people in the future and you don't want it to be bitter.

 

First:
If you decide that the start up is where you want to be it can be great. Lots of long hours but if it does well you are on the ground floor.

Take a serious hard look at what they do and wherre they are headed! Be smart about that descision.

Second:
If you leave ALWAYS give 2 weeks notice. Also ask for a reference if you can get one in writing. This way you can give it to your prospective employer, and they wont have to call. Just so you know the law is pretty clear on how employers can respond with regard to inqueries from other companies. If you find out he sits there and rags on you that is a law suite waiting to happen.

 

+1 good advice.

today is my last day at my current job, i'm about to start a new job at a smaller company thats more involved with what i actually want to do. i thought my current boss hated me, as he threatened me saying that i had no motivation, this job determines my future jobs, and if i left, the product will still be here. so that was my sign to get the F*** out. give your two weeks. you dont want to brun bridges no matter what. once my current boss learned of my resignation, he suddenly became my best friend and to call him if i ever need any help. he also doesnt want me to rag on him in the exit interview too haha. if i had walked out, not only is it disrespectful, it would probably hurt future endeavors.

 

2 week notice is always the rule. Even if you don't get along its a formality and they can't really say anything bad about you if they decide to check up on your past employment.

 

2 weeks notice is not a rule...its a COURTESY that you extend to your current employer. You give that courtesy so that they can have some time to start looking for a replacement and so that you can wrap up some of the stuff you've been working on...

It's not a rule, however, and if the place sucks and you don't need them as a reference, it can be fun to go out with a bang...done that before.

If you've dedicated a couple years of your life to a company, its in your interest to give 2 weeks.

 

Just as a final note..
by law,
a previous employer is not allowed to rag on you after you leave.
Even though some will break this rule, they can be subject to defamation laws.

A previous employer, by law is only allowed to:
validate that you worked for them.
the period of time you worked there
Something about punctuality.
if you were terminated from the job, but not the reason why.

they are not allowed to ask.
if you are a good or bad person
how you conducted yourself at work
if you are trustworthy
how much $$ you made while employed there.

 

this is VERY true. I've seen cases where someone was unable to get a job because of this.

 

yes and no. It really depends on the company and the fields within the company. I see cisco and hp still cutting while intel is still hiring...

 

Well, I'm going to secure a couple more offers before I make the move.

That way, it won't really matter about the two weeks either way. I plan to give 2 weeks out of common courtesy, something they'd never do when firing you