After a long application process, you’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel: a job offer. Once the initial adrenaline rush has faded, you’re probably left wondering how to accept your new job offer. That’s where we come in. This article will tell you everything you need to know about accepting a job offer. We’ll give you helpful tips on what to do before sending a response, and what to include in your email to accept a job offer. It’s not that complicated, but doing it right can be challenging. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll know how to accept a job offer with your eyes closed.
What is a job offer?
In short, a job offer is an acceptance letter sent to candidates selected for employment. In some cases, employers extend a job offer verbally, but it’s often closely followed by a written summary. The agreement includes basic information about your salary, job title, job duties, and starting date.
When signed, you officially accept the conditions of your new role. You have every right to decline a job offer if you feel it’s not for you, or you have a better offer from another employer. They’re different from employment contracts in that they’re far less detailed and not legally binding. However, a job offer is still official and rejecting it after the fact should be avoided.
What to do before sending a job acceptance letter
Accepting a job offer can be scary. Even when you know all the details, it isn’t easy to judge whether it’s the perfect fit until you actually start working. To minimise your doubts, make sure you’ve asked all your questions during the interview, and before accepting the offer. If done right, you should more or less know what to expect before receiving your job offer. But what are some best practices before you start considering how to accept your new job offer?
Take your time before accepting a job offer
There’s no need to jump the gun after receiving a job acceptance letter. Employers usually expect you to want to read the job offer carefully before making a decision. However, if you decide to take some extra time, let your hiring manager know. During this time, you can compare the job offer to other vacancies before you respond. The rule of thumb is that you should take no longer than two days to respond to a job offer. Any longer than that, and hiring managers may get antsy. If you decide the job isn’t for you after all, let them know as soon as possible so that they can contact other candidates.
Negotiate before accepting a job offer
If you receive a verbal job offer (either by phone or at the end of an interview), this is your chance to jump in and make negotiations. It’s unprofessional to accept a verbal job offer and then start negotiating your salary, for example, once you’ve received a written agreement. However, make sure you’re prepared if you decide to negotiate. If the job offer doesn’t line up with your expectations, it’s normal to ask about the possibility of negotiation. If the job acceptance letter was sent by email, it’s still possible to negotiate, but do this with caution.
Get the job offer on paper
Job offers can get messy, especially if there’s lots of negotiating. In a process with multiple interviews, phone calls, and emails, it can be challenging to keep track of what’s been discussed. After everything’s been said and done, make sure that all agreements are outlined in a formal document. Even if an employer wants you to start the next day, ensure that you’ve received and accepted a written job offer. There’s nothing worse than having to renegotiate your working conditions after your first day in the office.
What to write in an email to accept a job offer
With all the negotiations out of the way and a final job offer in your inbox, it’s time to write your formal response. This is an exciting step because now you’re really sealing the deal. It’s important to do this gracefully, as it’s the first step to a new business relationship. Even though a job acceptance letter is the last step in the application process, it also marks the beginning of your new job. So here’s how to accept a job offer via email:
1. Show appreciation for the offer
Whether you negotiated or not, don’t forget to show your appreciation before responding to a final job offer or acceptance letter. Especially if the application process was drawn out because of negotiations, you’ll want to thank your employer for their time and consideration. Keep this to one or two sentences maximum. Also, make sure to clearly state the position and the organisation’s name to avoid confusion.
2. Make the job offer official
Now it’s time to seal the deal. This part of your job acceptance letter will serve as a stamp of approval. In one or two sentences, let your employer know that you officially accept the job offer. You can show some personality and excitement here if you like. Let them know you’re excited to become part of the team, and that you’re looking forward to working together.
3. Summarise the job offer
Even though you’ve accepted the job offer, confirming your agreement with the most important terms is still important. Especially if you’ve negotiated, you’ll want to confirm the renegotiated conditions here. For most people, this will include the salary, working hours, bonuses, and trainings. This also shows your employer you’ve read the terms carefully, and reaffirms your agreement with them.
4. Confirm the starting date
This will depend on your situation and whether or not you have to serve out a notice period. In any case, it’s important to confirm your first day on the job. Most of the time, employers will allow for some flexibility. If you have to move to a new city or country, there are many factors that can come into play. If you’re unsure when you can start, just set a tentative date and reconfirm with your employer later on.
5. Conclude with optimism
Whether you’re starting the next day or in a few months, you’ll want to end your job acceptance letter on a positive note. Let your employer know you’re looking forward to your first day on the job and meeting the team. If you have any important questions about your first day, you can also mention them here. Make sure you know who to go to when you arrive at your new workplace, and if you need to bring anything.
6. Bonus tip after job offer acceptance
When you’re sitting out a notice period, make sure that you’re staying in contact with your future employer. If there’s been a few weeks of radio silence, reach out to your employer and let them know you’re looking forward to starting your new job. In some cases, your employer might organise a team drink for you to meet your colleagues in an informal setting. Use this opportunity to build a good relationship with them, so you can make your first day a breeze!
How to accept a job offer example
Knowing how to write an acceptance letter for a job takes a bit of practice. You’ll have to approach it with your own flair, and play into your unique situation. However, it’s best not to overcomplicate it. When you’ve reached this stage of the application process, you’ve most likely said and done everything you can. Try not to introduce any new topics or questions in your response. Here’s a simple example of how to write an email accepting a job offer:
| Subject: Job offer accepted - [Your Name] | |
| Dear (Recipient Name), | |
| Thank you very much for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I’m delighted to accept the job offer. I’m excited to become part of the [Department] team, and look forward to meeting you all. | |
| My understanding is that I will receive an annual salary of [Amount] along with the benefits offered, which include (List of Benefits). | |
| As we discussed, I will report to work at [Time] on [Date]. I will also make sure to fill out all the employment and insurance forms before my starting date. Please let me know if any additional information or paperwork is required before then. | |
| Once again, I’m very much looking forward to joining your organisation and my first day on the job. | |
| Kind regards,
[Your Name] | |
| [Contact Details] | |
How to accept a job offer: in short
Whether you’re landing your very first job, changing roles, or taking your career to the next level, it’s important to know how to accept a job offer gracefully. A well-written job acceptance letter can go a long way in putting you and your employer at ease. In short, this is what you should include in your acceptance letter:
- Show appreciation for the offer
- Make the job offer official
- Summarise the job offer
- Confirm the starting date
- Conclude with optimism
- Stay in contact with your future employer
Have you decided to decline the job offer? Don’t sweat it; there are plenty of other options out there. If you haven’t already, check out all the vacancies on offer on YoungCapital. Once you’ve found your ideal role, make sure to tweak your CV with our free CV maker to make the best of your job application. Good luck!
FAQs about how to accept a job offer
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How do you accept a job offer via email?
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How do I accept an informal job offer?
- Don’t jump the gun and accept the job offer too soon.
- Let your employer know you’d like to think about their offer.
- Request a written confirmation so that you can review the details.
- Negotiate the offer before receiving a final written confirmation.
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How do I accept a job offer over the phone?
When writing a job acceptance letter via email, you’ll want to keep it as short and straightforward as possible; thank them, accept the job offer, summarise the important terms, and conclude with optimism. Don’t introduce any new conditions or go back into salary negotiations. If you have any questions, ask via email or phone before you accept the offer.
Accepting an informal (verbal) offer should be done with caution. Here are the best practices:
If a hiring manager is calling you to make an offer before sending you a written confirmation, it’s best to ask for this first. However, do let them know you appreciate the offer, and that you’re excited about the opportunity. It’s also a good time to ask any final questions you may have about the job, salary, or benefits. Making negotiations is optional, but try to do this as early as possible, preferably in the final interview.