Congratulations! You did it. Finally, after a long struggle, you managed to survive the hiring process and your employer made you a job offer. So is the hard part over? No! Not exactly. You still have to accept that job. Simply saying a 'yes' is not enough while accepting a job offer. You need to be more formal and diligent. So should you accept your job offer on the spot? No, as it would make you seem too desperate. Need more time? Then ask your employer to give you a few days to think it over.
If you don’t know how to accept a job offer or if you don’t know how to evaluate your job offer, then scroll down!
What to say when you receive a job offer?
The most common way you will receive a job offer is through a formal email. However, some firms may call you first to verbally tell you the good news before sending you a job offer email.
No matter how you receive the good news, first, show your appreciation for this opportunity and ask for a few days to review your job offer thoroughly. The employer will give you a day or two to think it over. But they would be expecting a reply by the end of that week.
How to evaluate your job offer?
Consider the following things if you don't know how to evaluate your job offer:
1. Base salary
The first thing to consider when considering a new job is usually the base salary or hourly rate. Employers often provide this information when making a job offer.
- It's significant to assess the income being offered. Then you should compare it to your financial needs as your starting salary affects not only your earnings today, but your earnings in the future as well.
- A salary increment is a certain percentage of your base salary. More will be your base salary, more will be the increment.
- You must know the "common payscale" of your position in your industry or region to do justice.
2. Benefits, vacations, and other perks
Be equally considerate about the benefits as oftentimes generous benefits packages are more profitable than a higher salary.
Benefits include health insurance, financial incentives, stock options, holiday pay, sick leaves, etc. But are these enough? What about maternity leaves if that is what you are planning in near future? Or what about a sound retirement plan? Do consider everything before you reach a certain decision.
3. Flexibility
Around 67% of small-scale businesses offer at least some sort of flexible work arrangement. So, before you come to a decision, carefully review everything that was discussed during the interview. Did you discuss anything about work-life balance or flexible working hours? It might have come up but was it discussed in detail?
If something was verbally agreed upon during the interview, make sure it is mentioned on your job offer too. For example, if your boss offered a 4-day workweek, ensure that it is written in your offer letter. If nothing was decided, now is the time to negotiate and ask. Below are some questions that you can pose to your prospective employers.
- Does your company have any policy on workplace flexibility? If so, what are the ground rules?
- How often can employees in this department work remotely or adjust their hours?
- Flexibility will only be used temporarily to meet specific needs or can it be used at the employee's discretion (with management approval)?
- Can you agree on flexible working arrangements and terms before we start?
4. Company culture
Working in an organization that suits your preferences and style plays a huge role in your professional happiness.
- Ask around in your professional network if someone can provide insight into your company's culture or research employee culture reviews on other sites.
- Ask your recruitment team for their input on the best parts of their company culture.
- Ask them for the information that can help you make a sound and informed decision.
5. Responsibilities
Your job responsibilities and duties can be one of the most critical factors that can give you professional satisfaction. So, you must choose a job that will not start to feel burdensome after a few days.
- You should go for a job that you'll enjoy doing every day while holding you to the employer's reasonable expectations. You can only achieve job satisfaction if you're happy with your job. But how would you do that?
- Find a job that offers a variety of responsibilities you'll be happy to fulfill without overworking yourself. You should think both about the challenges and whether the duties you can do each week will be interesting enough for you.
6. Career advancement
If the job offer you received from the company shows that you will gain invaluable skills and experience, then you should accept it right away. Nobody wants to stay stuck in one place. 61% of people consider career development opportunities as a significant thing while considering job opportunities.
Check the promotion history of the organization as an organization with a history of internal promotion may provide a good career path for you that would aid in your career advancement.
7. Networking opportunities
Ever thought about why networking opportunities matter? Some of us are timid people. We avoid any extra interactions at any cost, especially at the workplace. But, building a professional network is crucial if you want success in your profession.
- You can rely on your professional network throughout your career.
- It will help you in both personal and professional development. When evaluating a job offer, it is important to consider how it will affect your ability to network.
- This will help you decide if the position is a good match for you. Accepting a job with a strong networking opportunity can be very beneficial. It will boost your ability to perform the job and will help with your future advancement.
8. Compare your current situation
Your current professional situation is often a significant factor when you are evaluating the value of a job offer.
Are you finding it difficult to decide whether to accept or decline a job offer? There's no need to worry! What you can do is that you compare all the pros and cons of the current situation you are in and the offered position.
You can use the same method to assess your current situation even if you already have a job. Here, you can compare both your current job and the job offer. It will help you choose the better option among both.
9. Company stability
It is important to take a closer look at the company's finances and projections before accepting a job offer. But why should you do that? How will it benefit you?
You can think of the company's financial stability as an indicator of your future. You are more likely to get a promotion or career advancement in a stable company.
According to a recent survey, 27% of Americans worry about job security post-pandemic. Companies with stable financial performance and other aspects are more likely to keep their employees, thereby giving them greater job security.
10. Negotiation opportunities
Do you have concerns that are preventing you from accepting the job offer? Negotiation can help you with that. However, you can also negotiate after you have decided to take the job offer. Negotiating with the employer can help you get even better and more favorable terms.
Also read: Top tips to negotiate your salary
11. Professional challenges
You may have heard people saying that if you love your job, then your job is an easy task with no difficulties. So, why any professional challenges at all? Isn't it supposed to be an easy task? Well, professional challenges are crucial if you want career growth.
You can only learn a little from being in your comfort zone. Professional challenges allow you to learn new skills and develop experiences. These qualities will help you both in your current role and when you seek future promotion. This is why many people value jobs that offer professional challenges and opportunities to grow.
Always try to find the areas for growth in a job opportunity. This will let you know if the job offer allows you to grow by improving your professional skills.
How to accept a job offer
1. Express your thanks
Start by thanking your new employer for offering you the job in the opening paragraph of your job acceptance letter. Make sure that you clearly state the job title and the organization's name.
Offer letter response - "I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. My sincere gratitude goes out to you for your formal offer for the [Job Title] position at [ABC company]."
2. Officially accept it
Next, express your thrill or excitement in accepting the offer. Here, you can say that you are looking forward to getting started at your new job.
Reply to offer letter: “I'm pleased to present you with my formal acceptance of your offer of employment. I am looking forward to being a part of your team."
3. Clarify the benefits and salary
It would be best if you clarify the salary and benefits as soon as you accept the offer.
Offer letter response: "Considering the salary range we have discussed, I am starting at [$__,___], along with [performance-based bonuses, training, hybrid working, and professional membership] as a part of the package."
4. Note your start date
If you're changing jobs, you'll almost certainly need to serve a notice period. To avoid any possible misunderstanding, provide the period of notice you need to serve and the starting date in your acceptance letter. If you still need to confirm your notice period, explain in the letter to your employer that you will let them know your start date in writing as soon as possible.
Reply to offer letter- "My current employer has required me to serve a 15-day notice period. As of 15th April, I will begin my new position with the company."
5. Conclude a positive note
End your acceptance letter on a positive note by expressing excitement about starting your new job.
Offer letter response- "I'm excited to join the team and get started in my new position!"
How to accept a job offer via email
It's time to put everything in your job acceptance email together now that you know what to write. Before you proceed, there are two last things to keep in mind.
- Your job acceptance email should have a subject line that clearly expresses the email's purpose
- You must sign off appropriately in your job offer acceptance email
Here is a sample of how to accept a job offer via email
Subject line: [Acceptance of job offer– Your Name]
Dear [HR name],
I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. My sincere gratitude goes out to you for your formal offer for the [Job Title] position at [ABC company].
I'm pleased to present you with my formal acceptance of your offer of employment. I am looking forward to being a part of your team.
Considering the salary range we have discussed, I am starting at [$__,___], along with [performance-based bonuses, training, hybrid working, and professional membership] as a part of the package.
My current employer has required me to serve a 15-day notice period. As of 15th April, I will begin my new position with the company.
I'm excited to join the team and get started in my new position!
Regards,
[Your Name]