How To Accept A Job Offer (With Examples)

After applying for a job and going through the interview process, it can be pretty exciting to hear the words “you’re hired.”

Before the celebration can begin, you have to accept the job offer. It’s important to accept an offer in writing after discussing the details.

We’ll discuss the common elements of most job offers, provide tips for negotiating the company’s original offer, and show you the right way to accept a job offer. We’ve also got plenty of examples of job offer acceptance emails to help you get started writing your own.

Key Takeaways

• It’s important to accept the job offer the right way and in a timely manner.

• It only takes a few minutes to write up a job acceptance email, but it’s important it is done.

• If the job offer isn’t what you thought, you can negotiate it to better fit your needs.

How to Accept a Job Offer

At this point, you will have acknowledged the job offer and negotiated any terms you weren’t happy with. You’ve come to an understanding with the hiring manager and are ready to move on to the next step. Once you’re positive that this position is the right move for your career, you must formally accept the job offer.

This can be done through email or post. Whichever method you choose to deliver, your acceptance letter will contain the same basic information.

Your acceptance letter should include:

1. Proper business letter formatting. We don’t recommend sending a physical letter to accept a job offer, as email is faster and more convenient for everyone involved.

   But if you are mailing your job offer acceptance letter, then make sure to include a proper heading with the recipient’s and your contact information in the header.

2. A clear subject line. If you’re emailing your job offer acceptance, make sure that the subject line clearly indicates the email’s contents. For example, “[Your Name – Accepting [Job Title] Role.” Of course, you can also simply respond to the email with the job offer’s details.

3. The hiring manager or recruiter’s information. You’ve likely been interacting with the individual who offered you the job since the beginning of the application process. Make sure to address your acceptance letter to this hiring manager or recruiter with a “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name].”

4. Thank the letter’s recipient. Thank them for taking the time to interviewand consider you as an applicant. From the get-go of your letter, you should be gracious and let them know you’re accepting the offer immediately. Even though you should be appreciative, there’s no need for gratitude overload. Keep it short and straight to the point.

5. Acceptance of the offer. Early on, you need to state that you accept the terms laid out in the job offer the company sent you.

   On the other hand, if there are parts of the contract that you need clarification on, be sure to ask. And if one of those clarifications might change your mind about accepting the offer, then be careful not to outright accept it.

   If you need to ask for changes to your start date, this is an appropriate place for it. Briefly explain why you need more time to wrap things up at your current job.

6. Confirmation of the terms. In addition to professionally accepting the offer, a written acceptance letter serves as verification of the job offer details. Part of this includes briefly outlining the discussed terms of your employment.

   This is not a space for negotiation. That should be discussed before accepting a job offer. It’s simply restating the terms that you and your new job have agreed on.

   This information should include:

   • Starting salary

   • Bonuses

   • Employment start date

   • Benefits

   • Vacation time

7. Enthusiastic appreciation. The general tone of accepting a job offer should be gracious and eager. At the end of your acceptance letter, you should reiterate this sentiment by letting them know you’re excited to start your new position.

   Include your contact details and let them know you’re available if they need anything else.

8. Sign-off and signature. Stick with the basic email sign-offs and finish with your name. If you’re sending a physical letter, also sign your name. In an email, you can include your professional email signature.

Example and Template of Job Offer Acceptance

• Email Acceptance:

  Subject Line: Acceptance of Teller Position – Jack Kingston

  Dear Mr.Gold,

  I appreciate the offer for the position of teller at United Credit Union. It is with great pleasure that I accept this job offer.

  As mentioned in our previous phone conversations, my starting salary will be $65,000 annually, with the possibility of a raise after my first year with the company. In addition, this position will include two-weeks paid vacation per year and health insurance benefits.

  I am eagerly awaiting my start date on September 18th, 2020. Please confirm the details of this email, and let me know if there’s any additional information you need from me.

  Thanks again!

  Sincerely,

  Jack Kingston

  [email protected]
  (616)-706-2388

• Email Acceptance Template:

  Subject Line: Acceptance of [Job Title] Position – [Your Full Name]

  Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

  I appreciate the offer for the position of [Job Title] at [Company]. It is with great pleasure that I accept this job offer.

  As mentioned in our previous phone conversations, my starting salary will be [Starting Salary] annually, and [more details from job offer]. In addition, this position will include [more details from the job offer].

  I am eagerly awaiting my start date on [start date]. Please confirm the details of this email, and let me know if there’s any additional information you need from me.

  Thanks again!

  Sincerely,

  [Your Full Name]

  [Your Email Addresss]
  [Your Phone Number]

• Letter Acceptance:

  Recipient Address:
  Mrs. Kimberly Bennett
  Melbourne Marketing Company
  824 Rosemary St.
  Knoxville, TN, 45477

  Return Address:
  Mr. James Taylor
  92 Blake Ave.
  Knoxville, TN, 45422

  September 13, 2020

  Dear Mrs. Bennett,

  Thank you for your offer and for taking the time to consider me as a candidate. After further review of the position and company culture, I’m thrilled to accept your job offer as a marketing specialist for Melbourne Marketing Company.

  As per our previous discussion, my starting annual salary will be $50,000 with health benefits and paid vacation time after a probationary period of 2 months. My start date for employment will be September 20, 2020.

  I’m looking forward to starting this new position and I am honored to be a part of your team.

  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything else. I can be reached at (404)-322-7163.

  Sincerely,

  James Taylor

Questions to Ask an Employer Before Accepting an Offer

During the interview process, you probably had many of your lingering questions answered. Once you’ve been offered a position at a company, there are some things you should be clear on before accepting a job offer.

Some questions to consider asking an employer before you accept an offer:

• What are your expectations for me in this position?

• What will my schedule look like?

• When is my official start date?

• Is there any room for negotiation in the salary?

• Does the company offer commission, bonuses, or benefits?

• What does the benefits package include?

• What are the vacation and paid-time-off policies?

• Who will be my supervisor?

• How large is the team I will be working on?

• When do you need a decision on the job offer?

• What are the next steps?

Know that sending a formal written acceptance of a job offer is agreeing to the terms they have set. Before you can do that, you must be sure you understand all of these factors that may affect your decision.

What to Look for in a Job Offer

Once you accept the offer in writing, you’re also accepting the exact terms of the offer. These include:

• Base salary

• Paid time off

• Job responsibilities

• Your schedule and work hours

• Your benefits package

• Start date of employment

Take your time to consider the terms that have been offered to you.

Companies are selective when reviewing your resume and checking references. You should do the same when considering their job offer.

Take into account the full spectrum of what the company is offering, and if it’s acceptable for you. Negotiate the terms if they’re not up to your standard.

How to Negotiate a Job Offer

Getting a job offer with a salary or benefits that don’t meet your expectations can be disappointing. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to accept an offer you’re less than thrilled with or turn down the job. Before accepting or declining a job offer, you can always negotiate the terms of employment.

While initiating negotiations may seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be any more strenuous than requesting recommendations. You may actually have more power than you did when requesting a recommendation because there’s already an offer on the table. Be courteous, thankful, and know what you’re worth.

When drafting a job offer negotiation, keep the following in mind:

1. Be friendly. Negotiation doesn’t mean demanding you’re worth more, but rather, politely suggesting some room for improvement based on the qualities and experience you bring to the table.

   Nobody wants to accommodate someone rude or difficult. Think of your negotiation letter as a conversation starter that will hopefully lead to a place where you and your boss are happy with the terms. An effective way to do this is to frame your negotiations in the form of questions instead of commands.

2. Be thankful. Even if a company’s first salary offer wasn’t up to par, a letter of negotiation should still be overwhelmingly thankful for the offer and consideration. Convey the tone you had when sending afollow-up email after an interview.

   Hiring teams spend a lot of time sifting through applications, conducting backdoor reference checks, and meeting for interviews before they choose you. Don’t forget to be appreciative of this effort and the opportunity.

3. Consider why you are an asset. You were offered a position because the company believes you’d be a valuable asset to their team. You made it past reference checks ,interviews, and eliminations.

   Remember why that is, and utilize it in your negotiations. Remind them of the relevant qualifications you have that fit the requirements for their ideal candidate. Show the hiring manager that negotiating on salary is an investment in a valuable employee.

4. Be open to compromise. Part of successful negotiating is being willing to hear the other side out and take their needs into account. You may not come out of a job offer negotiation getting exactly what you wanted in terms of salary, job title, and benefits.

   However, with a little flexibility, you can comfortably accept an offer that satisfies the majority of your requirements.

Example of Job Offer Negotiation Email

Handing in Notice to your Current Job

You’re likely still working with your previous employer before securing this new opportunity.

Once getting a job offer and deciding on moving in this direction, you must professionally notify your current position of resignation in a timely manner. Generally, two weeks is the minimum acceptable notice time.

Find out the anticipated start date of your new position, and make sure these dates aren’t in conflict with fulfilling the closing duties to your previous position.

You can send a resignation letter to your current job by post, email, or in person. Make sure your notice includes:

• Statement of resignation

• Your last day of employment

• General reason for your departure

• Offer to help with the transition

• Gratitude for the work experience

Author

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.