Accepting a job offer
How to accept a job offer

Before you accept a job offer, carefully review all the details the employer has provided so far. The standard process for making an offer of a new job is as follows: the initial information that you´ve succeeded in the interview process will usually be given to you verbally by the recruiter, either over the phone or sometimes during a face-to-face meeting. They will present you with the main elements of the offer, such as the salary, the bonus component if applicable, and the start date.

 

Before you accept the offer, think about whether it contains everything you wanted and whether the offer is attractive enough for you. Do the terms and conditions match what you were told during the interview?

 

It is quite common to receive a written offer after you have received an offer verbally. This should already contain all the details, often including the benefits offered and, most importantly, any individual arrangements - this could be, for example, the use of a company car, a guaranteed bonus or perhaps a pay rise after a certain period. So, if you need some time to think about the offer, don't be afraid to ask for some. You don't want to accept a job offer you're not happy with.

 

If this is the case, thank the recruiter for the offer, confirm your interest in the position and specify a timeframe for communicating your final decision to the company. One or two days is considered standard. It is important that you meet this deadline.

 

To help you decide whether to accept the job offer, talk to the recruiter, trusted colleagues and family and friends, and compare it to other job offers on the table or waiting to be made. Then communicate your decision to the recruiter.

 

Realistic negotiation is a common part of the job offer process. If you are not happy with one or more aspects of an offer or if it differs from what you were told during the selection process, act. If you have any concerns, talk to your consultant who is ready to help you negotiate. He or she is there for you in these situations and can facilitate the entire process so that you reach an offer that works for both parties, you and your future employer.

 

A recruiter will often know if the company has left any wiggle room when it comes to your salary or benefits. If you want to negotiate a higher salary, make sure that your expectations are not higher than what you originally communicated, are in line with the current labour market situation - for example, you can use available salary guides to do this and match your experience and skills. Your consultant will be able to provide you with qualified advice in this respect.

 

If you are in cooperation with a recruitment agency, your consultant will take over the negotiations for you. If you communicate directly with the employer, it is better to respond to the offer by phone at this stage so that you can clarify everything without any doubt, and then summarize everything by email.

 

Once you have reached an offer acceptable to both parties, employers usually send a formal email confirming the details and terms of employment in writing. Again, read this formal written offer carefully and check that everything that has been negotiated is included and correctly stated.

If you´re happy, confirm in writing that you accept the offer of employment.

 

If you still need to inform your current employer about your resignation and there will be a notice period before you start your new job, try to keep in touch with your new employer during this time. For example, you can confirm by email that everything is going according to plan, and you are looking forward to your new position.

 

Employers often initiate this contact themselves. It's quite common for your future boss to invite you for a coffee or a short meeting with the future team before you start, which is not only a good start for establishing relationships with colleagues, but it will also make your first day at work more enjoyable as you will see familiar faces around you.

 

 

In your current job, inform your manager about your resignation first (see our article The perfect resignation) and agree together when and how you will tell your colleagues. Then explain your reasons to your closest colleagues in person, but don't be negative, rather focus on the positives of your new role. Let them know how much you enjoyed working with them and that you would like to stay in touch.

 

Make sure your departure goes smoothly and continue to be proactive and responsible about your duties.

 

The job acceptance email should be brief, but it is still a formal business communication that will remain on file at your new location. It should therefore be well structured, free of errors or typos, double check you haven't misspelled someone's name. Use the following structure:

 

Begin the email by thanking the new employer for offering you the job and clearly state the job title.

 

 

 

The offer letter sent by your future employer should correctly include all information relating to salary and benefits. If any information in the offer differs from your original agreement, do not be afraid to get in touch and politely inform the company about it.

 

 

If everything is in order, follow up by saying that you are happy to accept the job offer. You can mention that you are looking forward to the new challenge.

 

 

 

If the start date is clear and there are no obstacles on your side, please confirm the information given in the offer. If you have yet to negotiate the notice period, the start date may not be clear, explain how long your standard notice period is and that you will confirm any earlier start date as soon as possible after negotiations with your current employer. The sooner you manage to arrange this meeting, the better.

 

 

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You never do wrong by praising the company for the high-level selection process you were part of and stating you are looking forward to your new job. If you write that you're looking forward to meeting your colleagues soon, this may inspire the employer to organise the short meeting we wrote about above.

 

 

 

We hope our tips help you navigate the pitfalls of accepting job offers and wish you the best of luck in your new job search!