How to Respond to a Job Offer, with examples

3 years ago

You were offered the job after acing the interviews and dazzled the hiring manager—congrats! Your perseverance has paid off! Now give yourself a pat on the back and get ready to respond.

How you reply, like writing a resume or going to an interview, is a step that you should face with care, professionalism, and respect.

Consider how to accept or reject a work offer so that you can start your new job or keep a positive relationship with a business contact.

In this article, we will show you how to respond to a work offer, along with some sample answers to help you write your own.

1. What is a job offer?

An employer's formal invitation to become an employee is referred to as a work offer.

An employer can make an informal work offer over the phone or in person, but a formal offer is confirmed by email or letter and includes details about the proposed job.

• The title of the position.
• Salary.
• Whether you are an exempt or non-exempt worker.
• What company-provided perks do you have access to?
• The date on which you will begin.
• The hours you will be working

2.Consider Your Options

a.Receiving an Offer

When you receive an offer, it can be tempting to say, "Yes, I accept!" right away. Refrain from accepting right away. Take the moment to weigh your choices, even though you are willing to do the job. You do not want to find yourself in the position of accepting and then having to decline later.

There is typically no room for renegotiation if you have accepted an offer. Before you sign something, make sure you understand the terms. If you were given a verbal offer, you have the option of asking for it in writing.

This will ensure that the offer is genuine and that there are no misunderstandings about what is being offered.

Seeing the terms in writing allows you to see which parts you want, which you want to negotiate, and which areas you have concerns about.

b. Consider your response

You must decide how you will react to a job offer once you have received it.

Accepting a job offer, negotiating the terms of employment, or declining the offer are the three most common responses.

You should answer as soon as possible, but if you need more time to consider your options, you should ask for 24 hours or a few days to consider the offer.

Consider your financial needs, the responsibilities you will have to perform, your interest in the position, and whether the company culture will be a good fit for you before deciding how to react.

Consider the following factors: What will your commute be like outside of the office? Will you be able to strike a decent work-life balance, or will you be forced to live in your office? Are the benefits you are being promised better than the ones you have now? Is it necessary for you to move in order to accept the position, and if so, how will this affect your family's lives?

Some of the answers to these questions may be deal-breakers for you, so think about each one carefully. It is preferable to decline the offer outright than to have to leave later.

c.Response Timeline

How long would you wait to react to a job offer before facing repercussions? While there is no hard and fast rule, you should be able to answer within three business days without upsetting anyone.

Some companies will give you a week to answer, but if you are unsure about their timetable, it is always a good idea to ask for clarification.

d.Recognize the Offer

Even though you are not willing to accept or reject a job offer, it is polite to recognize its receipt.

If you are offered a job via a phone call, thank the recruiter and ask for an email to follow up. You will have the offer in writing and be able to review it at your convenience. If the offer comes in the form of an email, respond quickly.

Do not forget to include:

• A thank you for the opportunity.
• Whether or not you comprehend the offer's terms. If you do, make a note of it. If you do not understand anything, ask for clarification.
• When do you plan to send your response? If you are not sure when the employer expects a response, you can ask.

e.Deadlines

Whether verbal or written, some businesses may send official offers with expiration dates.

If your offer included a timeframe for receiving your answer, make sure you stick to it.

Missing a deadline is not only considered impolite and unprofessional, but it may also result in the employer rescinding their offer after the indicated deadline has passed.

Requesting more time to make a decision

You have determined that you need more time to make a decision, so you will need to ask for an extension. 

Pick up the phone and dial the number of the recruiter who made you the offer. It is important to call and speak with them directly, even though it is an awkward conversation, as email tone can be easily misinterpreted.

Do not wait until the last minute to ask; you cannot come across as someone who does not plan ahead. Reach out as soon as you learn you need additional time.

Three Ways to Buy Time for Yourself

When you receive an offer, you may feel compelled to respond right away. Understand that most fair employers would not need you to make a decision right away and will instead expect you to think about their offer or make a counteroffer.

• Ask questions: Any new opportunity comes with a lot of unknown factors, but employers expect that potential workers may have questions. Although a lot is covered during the interview process, it is common for candidates to need additional information once an offer is made. Asking your questions via email is the easiest way to speed up the process. In most cases, standard email etiquette can result in a response in less than 24 hours. Try to get the majority of your questions right away. 
• Negotiate: Many candidates believe that salary is the only thing they can negotiate. This is true for some positions. Many employers, on the other hand, provide total compensation as well as other benefits. Start by attempting to negotiate a higher salary, and if that fails, turn your attention to indirect compensation. If you decide to negotiate, think about what you will be willing to accept and do not settle. Declining a new offer after you have worked out a new deal with the recruiter would make you look unprofessional. This is not to suggest you should not turn down an offer that does not satisfy your needs; rather, if you spend time negotiating and reaching an agreement with the firm only to back out at the last minute, you have just made yourself look like a flake.
• Ask Directly: Understand that if you have the option of requesting an extension, the employer is not obligated to grant it. You risk having your offer rescinded if you do not meet the deadline they set for you. If you do decide to request an extension, make sure you have a good reason. Requesting a response extension in the hopes of getting an interview with another company is not a sufficient excuse. A reasonable justification would be having numerous competitive job offers. Call the recruiter as soon as you know you need more time. Let them know you appreciate the offer and provide a short explanation of why you need more time to make a decision. Give a deadline by which you will be able to respond. If you are consistent about your needs and schedule, the recruiter may be more willing to work with you.

You should respond to the job offer by officially approving or rejecting it after you have completed negotiations and made your decision. You should write a letter, but if the job was offered via email, you can also answer via email.

3. Accepting the job offer

If you accept the job offer, you should include some key components in your answer. Before your first day of work, send this email or letter to express your gratitude, confirm the particulars of your job, and learn the next steps. When you start your new job, an official job offer acceptance helps you to show professionalism and dedication.

a.Formally accept the job

At the start of your email, clearly mention that you agree to the job's terms. In your statement, mention the role's title and the company's name.

b.Express your gratitude

Include both your appreciation and acceptance of the offer. It is professional and polite to express gratitude for this opportunity. You can also show your passion by expressing your eagerness to get started or describing how you hope to benefit the team.

c.Confirm details

Verify significant employment information after the first paragraph. There will be no misunderstandings about the terms of your work offer if you state these details. Confirm your start date, salary, work schedule, benefits package, and any other specifics that were discussed with the employer or included in the job offer. 

d.Ask about final steps

Consider asking if there is anything else you should know or do before your first day of work in the closing paragraph of your answer. You may request all required materials, such as an employee handbook, or offer to come into the office to complete any paperwork prior to your start date. You could also inquire about the orientation process. Finish with a respectful closing sentence, your name, and your contact information.

e.Notify other employers

You should notify any other employers who may be interested in you until you have officially accepted the job offer. If you had other job interviews or planned meetings with other businesses, inform them that you have accepted a position and are no longer available. Submit a formal resignation letter if you are currently employed elsewhere. These notices are a professional courtesy that may assist you in maintaining positive business relationships.

• Tip: Wait until the very last minute to add the recipient's email address to the "To:" section of your email when you are drafting it. This would prevent you from receiving an incomplete message. End your message by expressing your gratitude for the offer and asking if they need any additional information from you. Proofread (at least twice), send, and you are done!

4. Declining the job offer

It is perfectly acceptable to refuse an offer if the role is not right for you. Instead of dragging out the procedure, be prompt with your response. They will respect your professionalism, even though they may be disappointed that you will not be joining their team.

a.Formally decline the job

To begin, state clearly that you are refusing the offer at the top of your email. You can be direct while still being polite.

b.Providing a reason

While you are not required to tell the employer why you are declining, it is a professional gesture that may help you maintain a positive relationship (especially if you believe they have offered a more lucrative counteroffer). You should be concise and positive, such as merely saying that you have accepted another position or that the position is not a good fit for you.

c.Thank the employer

Even if you decline, you should express your gratitude for the offer. You should express your gratitude to the recruiting manager or recruiter for their time and effort.

d.Use a professional format

Your job offer answer should be formatted as professionally as any other document in the recruiting process. If you are sending an email, include your name and a straightforward sentence in the subject line, such as "Job Offer Rejection." Begin the email with a formal greeting to the person who gave you the job, using a common enterprise font in size 11 or 12. Before your signature and contact information, add a closing statement like "Sincerely."

5.Templates

Acceptance email sample

Subject: Job Offer Acceptance

Dear Ms. Cortez,

I am excited to be joining Bold Solutions as a Marketing Associate. Thank you for giving me this chance! I am glad to be a part of the squad.

I would like to confirm that my starting salary would be $40,000, with two weeks of paid vacation, and that health and dental benefits would start after 90 days, as we mentioned. I am looking forward to starting the orientation on August 1st. Please let me know if there are any final steps I need to take before that date, such as signing onboarding papers. Thank you once more.

Sincerely,

Julie Wintergarden

123-456-7890

Julie@emailaddress.com

Declination email sample

Subject: Job Offer—Julie Wintergarden

Dear Ms. Cortez,

I sincerely appreciate your offer of the marketing associate position at Bold Solutions. However, I regret to inform you that I must decline; I have accepted another position at a different company.

It was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I wish you and the marketing team the best.

Sincerely,

Julie Wintergarden

123-456-7890

Julie@emailaddress.com

That concludes this post. Receiving a job offer is an amazing experience, so express your excitement while also buying yourself time to negotiate the best deal possible. Take your time when writing your reply as you have the choice to either put your best foot forward or seriously put your foot in your mouth.