Accepting a job offer isn’t always as straightforward as simply saying, “I’ll take it! When do I start?” It’s essential to make sure you and your employer have covered all the bases, and there’s no confusion. It’s best to accept an offer for employment with an acceptance letter.
What you Should Look for in a Job Offer
Before the official offer, you may take part in a brief little dance (sometimes called a supposal) where your potential employer says something like, “Assume we want to offer you a position. What would we have to offer for you to accept?” Once you’ve mediated the terms, it’s time to seal the deal.
Here’s a tip: The time to haggle over your pay and benefits is before you’ve accepted the job. If you had a strong interview (or series of them) and you’re predicting being offered a position, it makes sense to prepare to handle these things in advance. Understanding what you want is half the battle.
Besides the most informal cases, your future employer should then extend an offer to you in writing. The proposal should lay out:
- Your wages
- Your benefits package
- Your start date
Here’s a tip: If the employer does not extend a written offer, requesting one is a good idea. You can subtly encourage the employer to send you something in writing by stating, “I’m eager to get to work! I’ll consider the terms of your written offer just as soon as I receive it. When would you need my reply?”
How to Write An Acceptance Letter
So you’ve got the job! Now it’s time to demonstrate to your new employer they’ve made a good choice. You polished your resume and cover letter, give your acceptance letter the same care. Make sure you proofread your letter very carefully.
Here’s a tip: Read your letter out loud to yourself before sending it. Reading out loud also helps you identify problems with flow and syntax—the parts you struggle with as you speak may require some rewriting.
Be sure to communicate your gratitude for the offer. You’ve been given an opportunity, and your letter of acceptance is a terrific time to show how eager you are to get started. Think about what you’re looking forward to most. Perhaps you’re excited about contributing your creative energies to projects, or you’re on board with the company’s mission, or you’re ready to jump into an assignment you’ve already been told about. Go ahead and say it!
Keep your letter short and sweet, but be sure to include these components:
- Create a clear subject line (if accepting via email)
The subject line should clearly reflect why you are writing. Here is a simple example: Accepting (Company Name)’s Offer—(Your Name).” Of course, you can also leave the original subject when replying to an emailed offer; however, this change will certainly do no harm.
- Address the appropriate party
If you are replying to an email, you can simply respond to the person who sent you the offer. However, if your offer was in verbal or written form, make sure to address the most appropriate person, such as the human resources manager, a direct supervisor, etc.
- Say thank you for the opportunity
Here, you should use the opportunity to not only express gratitude for the consideration given and the offer to work for the company, but show enthusiasm for the upcoming employment. For example:
I very much look forward to applying my skills to the position and contributing to the (company name)’s mission.
- Language that says you accept the company’s job offer
Make sure your acceptance language is clear. Here is a good example:
I am delighted to formally accept the offered position as (position) with (company).
- Your title
- A summary of the compensation and benefits as you understand them
Clearly acknowledge your understanding of your salary and benefits described in the offer.
As decided, my starting salary with be $68,700 per year with three weeks of paid vacation time. I further understand that medical, dental, and vision benefits will be available after ninety days of employment.
- Your anticipated start date
Job Offer Acceptance Letter Example
You can send your acceptance letter by regular mail or email. If you send a physical copy letter, format it like a business letter with your contact details on the top.
Here’s a tip: If you’re not familiar with business letter layouts, word processors like Google Docs and MS Word have convenient templates available.
If you’re sending an email, be sure to include your name in the subject line with the words “Job Offer Acceptance.”
Here’s what the body of your letter might look like:
Dear Peter, I was thrilled to get your call yesterday. I’m writing to formally accept your job offer for the Social Media Manager position at XYZ Company. Thank you for the chance to put my skills to work, making XYZ’s brand shine across multiple outlets.
As decided, my starting salary will be $55,100 per year with two weeks of paid vacation time. I understand that medical and dental benefits will be available after sixty days of employment.
If there’s anything you need from me before that start date, or any papers I should bring on the first day, just let me know. I’m excited to dig in and get going on October 8, 2020.
Thanks again,
Sam
Related: First sentences for business letters
