How to Accept a Job Offer: Email Template

Once your job search has come to an end and a prospective employer has extended an offer, your work as a job-seeker isn’t quite over yet. Here’s how to make sure that both you and your new employer are on the same page before you head into the office for your first day:

1. 1. Thank whoever offered you the job. You can set a positive tone for the process ahead by expressing your gratitude to the hirer, whether they’re a representative from human resources or your actual future supervisor. If they extend the offer in a phone call, thank them then; otherwise, send a brief email.
2. 2. Get the terms of the offer in writing. Even if you received a verbal offer from a recruiter or hiring manager (whether in person or over the phone), you need to consider the offer fully. If they don’t provide the necessary details, request they email you with your job title, starting salary, start date, and benefits package (including health insurance and paid time off).
3. 3. Carefully peruse the written offer. Accepting a job offer is a big decision, so don’t rush it. Hiring managers expect people to take time to review an offer, but it’s also a good idea to explicitly say that you’d like a day or two to look things over. As you read the terms of your new role, think hard about your requirements and whether this new position provides them. If not, make a detailed and specific list of the parts of the offer you’d like to address. Now is also an excellent time to run the job offer by a confidante if you feel unsure.
4. 4. Negotiate if necessary. Negotiating can make people nervous, but this is a normal part of the hiring process. If there are only a few components you’d like to negotiate, such as base salary or starting date, it’s okay to handle that via email. (Here’s how to negotiate your salary over email.) Otherwise, you might want to get on a phone call to outline your counteroffer.
5. 5. Accept the offer (or don’t). Once the hiring manager has come back with their offer, it’s time to make your final decision. If you’re happy with what’s on the table and you’ve corresponded with the hirer over the phone, you can thank them verbally, but as with the written offer, you should still send a job offer acceptance email. This email should include a clear subject line with your name and new job title, another expression of gratitude, and confirmation of the big-picture details like salary, start date, and any benefits you’d like to get in writing. Be positive and friendly to set the right tone. If you’re not happy with their offer, on the other hand, it’s time to face the difficult choice of whether you can accept the job terms or whether you should start prepping for another job interview. Be courteous in your rejection letter to avoid burning any bridges.

You can be yourself and inject your personality into your job offer acceptance letter. If you need some pointers to get started, consider the following email template:

Subject: [Your Name] - Accepting Your Offer

Dear [Hiring Manager or Primary Contact’s Name],

I’m writing to formally accept your offer of employment at [company name]. Thank you for the opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started.

As we previously discussed, I accept the annual salary of [salary details] and the start date of [starting date]. Additionally, I agree to the terms of the benefits package of [details of relevant benefits or perks].

I look forward to the next steps, and I’m excited to meet my new coworkers.

Best,
[Your full name and contact information]

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