How to answer to job offer

Job Offer Acceptance Letter and Email Examples

Tips for Accepting a Job Offer With Examples

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You’ve just been offered a new job and have decided to accept the offer. How should you formally accept the position? It’s always a good idea to accept a job offer by sending or giving your new employer your acceptance in writing. Do you be sure that everything you expected is in the offer, and ask about anything you have questions about before saying «yes.»

Before You Accept the Offer

When you receive the offer, you don’t have to accept it immediately. It’s acceptable to ask for time (typically 24 hours to consider it) even if you think you’d like to accept. That way, you’ll have time to make sure the terms of the offer are what you expected, and get a response to any questions you may have.

Once you’ve had time to review the offer and are ready to accept, ask for the offer in writing so you’re sure your expectations match what the employer is offering.

How to Accept a Job Offer

The best way to accept a job offer is to confirm the details in writing. Even if you have verbally accepted the position, it’s important to confirm the terms of employment and the date you’ll be starting your new job.

A job acceptance letter allows you to demonstrate your professionalism and make sure there is no confusion about the precise terms of the offer, such as compensation, vacation time, or benefits. It’s also an opportunity to express your gratitude for being offered the position, as well as your enthusiasm for taking on the new role.

What to Include in a Job Offer Acceptance Letter

When you’re ready to respond in the affirmative, take the tip to write a letter or an email confirming your acceptance of the offer. Your letter can be concise, but should include the following:

Advice on Writing a Job Offer Acceptance Letter

Format your letter correctly. The letter can be sent by email or mail. If you’re sending a hard copy through the mail, format the letter as you would any business letter. Include your contact information and phone number, even though it’s on file with the employer.

Keep it brief. While you want to include all the most important information, this doesn’t mean your letter should be long and drawn out.

The employer is busy, so a concise letter that includes all the necessary information is best.

Express your gratitude. Demonstrate how thankful you are for the new job opportunity. You might want to briefly explain why you’re particularly excited to work for the company. For example, you may want to share your desire to contribute to their sales team, or your passion for their mission. Again, keep this polite but brief.

Proofread and edit. You don’t want to create any last-minute reasons for the employer to take back the job offer, such as a sloppy or unprofessional letter.

Watch out for spelling and grammar errors.

Go over the letter a couple of times to make sure you catch all the typographical errors and grammar mistakes. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to double-check the spelling of the name of the person who offered you the job.

Example of a Letter Accepting a Job Offer

This is a job acceptance letter sample. Download the letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.

Example of a Letter Accepting a Job Offer (Text Version)

Jason Burnett
87 Washington Street
Smithfield, CA 08055
(909) 555-5555
jason.burnett@email.com

Mr. Michael Hynes
Director of Human Resources
Smithfield Granite and Stonework
800 Marshall Avenue
Smithfield, CA 08055

As we discussed on the phone, I am very pleased to accept the position of Advertising Assistant with Smithfield Granite and Stonework. Thank you again for the opportunity. I am eager to make a positive contribution to the company and to work with everyone on the Smithfield team.

I look forward to starting employment on August 31, 2020. If there is any additional information or paperwork you need prior to then, please let me know.

Again, thank you very much.

Handwritten Signature (hard copy letter)

Example of an Email Accepting a Job

Here’s an example of an email sent to accept a job offer. The email confirms the start date, salary, benefits, and vacation leave.

Dear Mr. Campbell,

It was wonderful to speak with you on the phone yesterday about the Marketing Director role at ABC Company. I’m thrilled to formally accept this job offer. I’m looking forward to working with you, and the rest of the senior management team at ABC, on charting a new direction for marketing strategy.

I’m looking forward to seeing you next Monday. Please let me know if there is any paperwork or additional information you need from me beforehand, or if there is any documentation I should bring along on my first day.

I’m always available by email, but feel free to call if that’s more convenient (555-555-5555).

Again, thank you so much for this opportunity.

Sending an Email to Accept a Job Offer

No matter which way you send the letter, make sure to address the letter to the person who offered you the position.

How To Reply to a Job Offer (With Examples)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated June 30, 2022 | Published December 12, 2019

Updated June 30, 2022

Published December 12, 2019

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This article has been approved by an Indeed Career Coach

Related: What to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer: Everything You Need to Know!

From salary expectations to company culture, this video covers what you should consider before taking the next step in your career journey.

Receiving a job offer is an exciting part of the job search process. How you respond to a job offer is a step that you should approach with care, professionalism and respect. Carefully consider how to accept or decline a job offer so you can positively begin your new employment or maintain a positive relationship with a business contact.

In this article, we explain how to respond to a job offer and provide sample email responses to help you compose your own.

What is a job offer?

A job offer is a formal invitation from an employer for someone to become an employee. An employer can offer a job informally through in-person conversation or a phone call, but the formal offer is documented by email or letter and contains details of the proposed employment. The terms and conditions outlined in a job offer often include:

Hours or schedule

Job responsibilities or description

The name of the reporting manager or the organizational structure

The start date or length of employment

How to respond to a job offer

You can use the following steps to respond to a job offer professionally:

Consider your response.

Accept or decline the offer.

Use a professional format.

1. Consider your response

After receiving a job offer, you must decide how you want to respond. The three typical ways to respond to a job offer are to accept, negotiate the terms of employment or decline the offer. You should respond as quickly as possible, but you can ask the employer for 24 hours or a few days to consider the offer if you need time to think about your options.

Before choosing how to respond, consider your financial needs, the duties you will have to perform, your interest in the position and whether the company culture

will be a good fit for you.

2. Negotiate (optional)

You may choose to negotiate the terms of employment before accepting or declining the job offer. You can research the market average salary for the position and consider your location, experience, education and skills to determine what your salary should be. If you are going to negotiate in person, prepare your talking points in advance and consider practicing with a friend. In a written reply, state your interest in the position as well as your desire for a higher salary. Use your research and personal information to clearly and politely explain why you deserve different terms.

3. Accept or decline the offer

After you have concluded negotiations and made your decision, you need to respond to the job offer by formally accepting or declining. You can send a letter, but if you were offered the job in an email, you should respond by email also.

, your response should include some core elements. This email or letter lets you convey your appreciation, verify the details of your employment and find out the next steps before your first day of work. An official job offer acceptance also allows you to demonstrate professionalism and commitment when you start your new job. Follow these guidelines to accept an offer:

Formally accept the job

Directly state that you agree to the terms of the position at the beginning of your email. Include the title of the role and the name of the company in your statement. For example, you could write, “I am pleased to accept the project manager role at Bold Solutions.”

Express your thanks

Include your appreciation of the offer as well as your acceptance. Showing your gratitude for this opportunity demonstrates courtesy and professionalism. You can also express enthusiasm by mentioning your eagerness to begin or explaining how you hope to contribute positively to the team.

Confirm employment details

After the opening paragraph, verify important employment information. Stating these details will ensure that there are no misunderstandings about the terms of your job offer. Try to confirm your start date, salary amount, work schedule, benefits package and other details discussed with the employer or included in the job offer.

Ask about final steps

In the closing paragraph of your response, consider asking if there is anything else you should know or do before your first day of work. You can ask for any necessary materials, such as an employee handbook, or offer to come into the office before your start date to complete any paperwork. You could also ask for orientation details. After mentioning any additional steps, end your letter with a polite closing phrase, your name and your contact information.

Notify other employers

After you formally accept the job offer, you should inform any other employers who might be interested in you. If you interviewed for other positions or scheduled interviews with alternative companies, let them know that you accepted a position and are no longer available. If you are currently employed elsewhere, submit a formal resignation letter

. These notifications are a professional courtesy that may help you maintain positive relationships with business contacts.

, you can use these steps to respond professionally:

Formally decline the job

First, clearly state that you are declining the offer at the beginning of your email. You can be direct and polite, such as “I regret to inform you that I will not be accepting your job offer at this time.”

Consider providing a reason

While you don’t have to tell the employer why you are declining, it is a professional gesture and may help you maintain a positive relationship. You should be brief and positive, such as simply stating that you have accepted a job elsewhere or that the position isn’t the right fit for you.

Thank the employer

You should extend your appreciation for the offer even though you are declining. You can thank the hiring manager or recruiter for their time and effort.

4. Use a professional format

You should format your job offer response as professionally as you would any other document involved in the hiring process. If sending an email, use a subject line with your name and a clear phrase such as “ Job Offer Acceptance. ” Type the email in a commonly used business font in size 11 or 12, and begin with a formal greeting to the person who offered you the job. End with a closing phrase such as “ Sincerely ” before your signature and contact information.

Before sending your response, make sure to edit thoroughly and proofread it for any errors. Double-check any specific items for accuracy, such as names, dates and figures. Consider taking a break before proofreading or asking a friend to check the email for you.

Example acceptance email

Use this sample job offer acceptance email to help you craft your own:

Subject: Michael Ayuko, Job Offer Acceptance

I am thrilled to accept the position of Marketing Associate at Bold Solutions. Thank you for this opportunity! I look forward to joining the team.

Sincerely,
Michael Ayuko
123-456-7890
mayuko@emailaddress.com

Example declination email

Consider this sample to help you compose a declining job offer response email:

Subject: Job Offer—Michael Ayuko

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.

How to Respond to a Job Offer Like a Pro

The job interview process was tough, but you have a job offer. Now what?

After you’ve let the job offer sink in, you’ll want to confirm you received it with the recruiter or hiring manager who will be eager to hear back from you. Here’s how to respond to a job offer and negotiate your salary and other benefits with confidence.

Acknowledge the Offer

If you’re offered an opportunity with a phone call, thank the recruiter and ask them to follow up with an email. That way, you have the offer in writing and can review it on your own time. If the offer comes via email, acknowledge it with a quick response. Confirm that you’re excited to read and consider the proposal and you’ll come back to them with a decision.

Be sure to ask the recruiter if there’s a deadline for your response. While recruiters will likely want an answer quickly, you must have enough time to review the offer before making a decision. Even if it’s your dream role, it’s sensible to give yourself time to consider any questions you might have or whether to negotiate aspects of the offer.

Negotiate and Make a Decision

With an official offer on the table, it’s time to decide whether to accept, negotiate, or decline.

Thoroughly consider the offer in front of you

If you’re happy with the deal that’s on the table, you can skip ahead to sending a written acceptance of the offer.

Understand what’s holding you back

If you’re still considering the opportunity, don’t be afraid to approach the recruiter or hiring manager again. Ask for additional information about the job description, the team, and the company you’d be joining. Once you have a better feel for the role and the company, you may feel more inclined to accept or decline the terms of the offer.

In many cases, the new job is a great fit and one you’re excited about accepting. But there might be something that’s holding you back. Maybe the salary is below what you were expecting, or you believe you provide greater value than the offer.

It could be that the company’s proposal doesn’t mention benefits or equity, something that you’re keen to explore. In this case, the best option is to make a counteroffer and enter salary and benefits negotiations with the recruiter. Our guide on salary negotiations can help you formulate your value, make a request that feels comfortable, and negotiate with confidence.

Move forward with the process

Once you’ve made a decision and negotiations are complete, you can formally respond to the written offer with either an acceptance or non-acceptance letter. Remember, you can still change direction even after you’ve accepted the offer. If you discover the role isn’t a great fit for you later in the hiring process, you can renege on the job offer politely and keep your options open.

How to Provide Your Decision

Accepting a Job Offer

By now, you’ll have sent an early acknowledgment of the job offer, but it’s time to follow up with a formal acceptance.

It’s best to make this confirmation in writing. It’s up to you whether you’d like to write a letter or send an email. If you’ve been negotiating or communicating via email, it often makes sense to continue the conversation there.

You’ll want to keep your email or letter concise and focused on your acceptance. Avoid anything that sounds ambiguous — if you’re unclear on any specifics, discuss this before you hit send. Here’s what to include in your email or letter to your new employer:

It’s crucial to include any health, education, or other benefits that you’ve negotiated here, so it’s clear which version of the offer you’re accepting. Include your phone number within your letter or email signature, too, so the recruiter can easily reach you if they’d like to clarify anything.

Declining a Job Offer

Sometimes the role just isn’t right for you, or you’ve been offered your dream job at another company. If that’s the case, you’ll want to decline the job offer politely and offer your appreciation.

Keep your non-acceptance letter or email short and sweet, making it clear you won’t be taking on the role. You can share the reasons why if you feel comfortable doing so, but you don’t have to. If you’re declining the position because the company was unwilling to negotiate salary and benefits, mentioning this may make them reconsider if they don’t want to lose you. Reiterate your thanks to the recruiter, interviewing panel, and company for their time and consideration.

How to Respond to a Job Offer: Email Samples

Accepting a job offer is a significant career move, so it’s understandable you want to take that first step with confidence. Here are some email samples to give you an idea of what to write to your new employer. As emails are less formal, you don’t need to include your full name or address. If you’re sending a job acceptance letter instead, keep the messaging and follow formal letter etiquette when it comes to addresses and sign-offs.

Example #1: Simple Job Offer Acceptance Email

If you’re happy to accept the job as offered and haven’t entered negotiations, this job offer email sample is a useful template. It covers all the basics and makes it clear you’re excited to join the company.

Dear Mr. Wallace,

Thank you for your call on Monday with your offer for the Data Engineer Manager role. After reviewing the offer and terms of employment, I’m happy to accept your offer of employment.

I look forward to joining the team on my start date of March 1st and working with you on your exciting plans for the year ahead.

If there’s anything further I can help with, please don’t hesitate to email or call me at (555) 123-4567

Example #2: Negotiated Job Offer Acceptance Email

When you’ve successfully negotiated an enhanced salary or benefits package, you’ll want to make sure this is included in your job offer acceptance email. That way, both you and the recruiter are clear about the terms to which you’re agreeing. Here’s a sample email that covers this scenario.

Blake McConnell — Job Acceptance Confirmation

Dear Mrs. Harrison,

Thank you for your time in discussing this opportunity with me and talking over aspects of the offer. I’d like to formally accept your offer for the role of Customer Solutions Engineer and join the company, with my first day being March 1st.

It looks to be an exciting year for [Company Name], and I look forward to being part of this.

Please send any paperwork to be signed and let me know if there’s anything further you need from me at this stage.

Example #3: Job Offer Non-Acceptance Email

If you’ve had a more promising offer from another company or simply decided this job isn’t for you, it’s time to send a quick email or thank you letter to confirm you’re declining the offer. Here’s a sample email that keeps the message clear and concise.

Thank you for your offer for the role of Product Manager with [Company Name]. I’ve taken some time to reflect on my next move. With this in mind, I have decided this role is not a good fit for my goals at present.

I wish you all the best with the future and look forward to keeping up with what [Company Name] shares with the tech world.

Navigate Your Career With Confidence

Receiving a job offer is an exciting moment. It’s also an excellent opportunity to pause and consider if you can negotiate a better deal, and how to respond to a job offer with enthusiasm and purpose.

Whether you’re accepting a job offer with your dream company or you’re in the middle of the negotiation process, knowing what steps to take will help you communicate with confidence and move forward with your career goals.

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and should not be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security by Candor, its employees and affiliates, or any third-party. Any expressions of opinion or assumptions are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results and the opinions presented herein should not be viewed as an indicator of future performance. Investing in securities involves risk. Loss of principal is possible.

Third-party data has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable; however, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Candor does not receive compensation to promote or discuss any particular Company; however, Candor, its employees and affiliates, and/or its clients may hold positions in securities of the Companies discussed.

How to accept a job offer

While accepting a job offer seems like it should be a relatively simple process, there are a series of formalities to adhere to. These job offer acceptance fomalities can pose a few potentially confusing questions.

How long should I wait before accepting a job? How formal does my acceptance need to be? Do I still need to write an acceptance letter, or a job offer acceptance email, or will a verbal acceptance suffice?

To ensure there’s no confusion on either end, read on to find out how to accept a job offer, how to negotiate a job offer, and how to hand in your notice.

The question of how to accept a job offer starts with what to do when you first receive the offer.

Most employers will offer you the job by phone call; either personally or via a Recruitment Consultant.

Accepting a job is a big decision, so take some time to think about it, and ask the employer or the recruiter any questions you have at this stage.

If you want the job but are unhappy with some of the terms of the offer, it may be that you spend some time negotiating at this stage, before accepting the job offer. Scroll down to find out more about how to negotiate your job offer.

Of course, if you’ve been waiting excitedly for the call, and you know that everything about this job is right for you, you can verbally accept it over the phone at this stage.

When accepting a job offer verbally, say ‘thank you’ for the opportunity, show how excited you are about the offer, and make sure to clarify any question marks you have regarding the offer.

It’s not a problem if you haven’t been able to confirm your start date yet; just inform the employer or Recruitment Consultant you will let them know as soon as you can.

After this first communication, you should receive a written formal offer; either by email or by post.

It’s important that you have written confirmation of the job offer; so if the Employer or Recruitment Consultant doesn’t inform you of this during your phonecall, ask them about it or request that you receive the offer in writing, even if they weren’t planning to send one.

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How to Respond to a Job Offer [Accept, Reject, or Negotiate Terms]

Wondering how to respond to a job offer? In this post, we give you examples of how to accept, reject, and negotiate job offers easily and effectively. Read on below!

That moment you’ve waited weeks or months for has finally come: the hiring manager has sent you an offer for the job.

Congratulations to you! 🎉

Are you wondering now exactly how to respond to a job offer?

In this quick guide, we’ll show you how to accept a job offer correctly, along with examples of an offer acceptance email and physical letters, as well. On top of that, you’ll see a sample reply when you need to negotiate a bit more, whether it’s your salary, employment conditions, or start date. And finally, we’ll also show you how to reject a job offer, in case that’s how you want to respond.

💡 Before We Get Started:

What is a job offer, exactly? A job offer is a formal employment proposal from the company indicating they would like to hire you for the position. It will usually come in the form of an email these days, though you may get an informal job offer via word of mouth when speaking to them on the phone. A job offer is not your employment contract, but, if you accept the job offer, that will be the next official document you receive! For more job definitions, check out our career glossary.

Want to showcase yourself in the best way possible to future employers or universities? Sign up to Goodwall!

Download the app now to get started!

Now, let’s get to it!

Here’s how to respond to a job offer in three ways (acceptance, rejection, and negotiation):

How to Accept a Job Offer

Since a job offer is a formal affair, your employment acceptance letter should be formal, as well.

While you can accept their offer by phone or face-to-face, it’s good to also have a formal job acceptance letter, whether a typed, physical letter or as an email.

Here’s a sample letter of acceptance for a formal job offer:

Your First & Last Name
Your Address Line 1
Your Address Line 2

Name of Hiring Manager
Their Official Title
Name of Prospective Company
Prospective Company Address Line 1
Prospective Company Address Line 2

Thank you very much for offering me the web developer position at Magnanimous Corp, and I am thrilled to officially accept!

As we discussed earlier, I’m able to start working 30 days after sending my resignation letter to my current employer. So, this means that I should be able to start at the beginning of February and attend your onboarding and orientation week beginning February 8th.

Once again, thank you so much for helping me throughout this employment process. I am very excited to be joining, and I look forward to working with you as a colleague!

Your First & Last Name

For a job offer acceptance email sample, it’s quite easy, also. Just include the body of the letter above without the address header at the top and the handwritten signature at the end.

Try to respond to their letter as soon as possible. Before sending your job offer reply letter, proofread it for any typos or other errors.

How to Negotiate a Job Offer

What if you want to negotiate a bit before accepting or declining the job offer?

That’s quite easy, as well!

There could be any number of reasons why you’d want to negotiate, from a salary increase to more vacation days to a job title change and more.

Here’s an example of a job offer negotiation response:

Your First & Last Name
Your Address Line 1
Your Address Line 2

Name of Hiring Manager
Their Official Title
Name of Prospective Company
Prospective Company Address Line 1
Prospective Company Address Line 2

Thank you very much for offering me the web developer position at Magnanimous Corp! However, before accepting, I’d like to request a change in the details of the offer you put forward.

In the job offer you sent me, it says I’d start work on January 15th. However, I must give a 30-day notice upon my resignation from my current employer before I can begin with you. Would you be able to change my start date to the beginning of February? If so, I’ll be thrilled to officially accept.

Thank you once again for the offer of employment, and I look forward to your response!

Your First & Last Name

Not too difficult, right?

Again, to negotiate by email, just use the body of the letter above as a guide. Then, all you have to do is to wait for their reply, and hopefully you get the answer you’re looking for!

How to Reject a Job Offer

What if you want to reject a job offer, instead?

Perhaps you’ve learned something about the company that makes it not right for you, such as their company culture is incompatible with your values. In some cases, you might be given several offers at once, and, if so, way to go!

Rather than ignoring the job offers you don’t want, send them a professional note politely declining their offer.

Here’s an example of how to turn down a job offer in a letter format:

Your First & Last Name
Your Address Line 1
Your Address Line 2

Name of Hiring Manager
Their Official Title
Name of Prospective Company
Prospective Company Address Line 1
Prospective Company Address Line 2

Thank you very much for offering me the web developer position at Magnanimous Corp. However, I must respectfully decline your offer of employment due to having accepted an employment offer at another company.

I do appreciate your time and helpfulness over the past few weeks, and it was a pleasure meeting you. I wish you the best in your ongoing recruitment efforts, and I hope you have a pleasant week ahead!

Your First & Last Name

That’s all there is to it!

A job offer rejection letter should just be short and polite, and you aren’t obligated to go into further detail as to why you’re rejecting their offer.

And, as with our past examples, turning this into an email simply requires removing the address area above and the handwritten signature!

Well, that’s all for this post, and hopefully you’re fully briefed on how to accept a job offer, how to reject a job offer, and how to negotiate a job offer! Got any questions, feedback, or other points to add about employment offers? Let us know in the comments below, and thank you for reading!