How to accept a job offer

a woman looking at her computer screen

Review the job offer details

If you’ve just been offered your dream job, congratulations! But before you sit back and celebrate, there are several job acceptance steps you must follow. To help you get started right away, check out our advice on how to write an acceptance email and our job offer acceptance template.
 
Before you accept a job offer though, it’s important to take some time to review the details first. Most employers make an initial job offer verbally, either over the phone or via the recruiter. Before accepting a job offer, ensure you are happy with this verbal offer.
 
  • Does it align with what you were expecting throughout the hiring process?
     
  • Does the job description match the original ad?
     
  • Are the salary, benefits, training and hours equivalent to what was discussed during the job interview?
Make sure you firm up all the details so you can carefully consider the job offer.

Job acceptance steps from Hays

This video offers advice on accepting a job offer. Follow our simple steps on how to accept a job offer in this important part of the job-hunting process.

If you need time to think, ask for it

If you need additional time to review the job offer, please ask for it. If you need additional time to review the job offer, please ask for it. You don’t want to make a rash decision and accept a job offer you aren’t happy with.
 
In your response, be sure to:
 
  • Communicate your appreciation for the offer.
     
  • Confirm your interest in the role.
     
  • Give your recruiter and the hiring manager a timeframe of when you will respond with your answer – and stick to it. 
One to two days is considered the most you can reasonably expect to ask for. After all, if you decline the job offer, the hiring manager needs to be able to contact other interviewed candidates promptly.
 
To help you decide whether to accept a job offer, speak with your recruiter, trusted colleagues and family and friends. As soon as you’ve made your decision, let your recruiter and hiring manager know, regardless of what that decision is.

Be prepared to negotiate

Realistic negotiations are often part of the job offer process. Consider our tips below to ensure a constructive negotiation process.
 
  1. Negotiate early: Most job offers are first made verbally in a phone call, and this is the most appropriate time to begin negotiating if you are unhappy with one or more aspects. Don’t wait until the formal written offer is sent.
     
  2. Get a second opinion: Raise any concerns with your recruiter. For example, if you wish to negotiate salary. We’re available to help you through the negotiations to reach an offer that works for both sides. Often, we already know if there’s room for movement on salary or benefits, so talk to us.
     
  3. Be realistic: To aid your decision-making, refer to your target job requirements and why you wanted a new job in the first place. If you accept the position, will these goals be met?
 

Get the job offer in writing

Most employers make an initial job offer verbally, either over the phone or via the recruiter. Before accepting a job offer, ensure you are happy with this verbal offer. 
 
When both parties agree on the offer, a formal letter is generally issued to outline and confirm the employment terms in writing. When you receive the written formal offer, read it thoroughly and check all aspects.
 
If the employer doesn’t indicate they will provide a written offer, ask for one so that you can formally accept the job. If your new employer is keen for you to start as soon as possible, the job offer letter and employment contract
should arrive promptly.
 

During your notice period

Once you have sent your job offer acceptance email, it’s advisable to keep in touch with your new employer throughout your notice period. For instance, send them an email halfway through your notice period to say you are looking forward to the impending start date. After you accept a job offer, your new boss may even invite you for a team drink to meet your future colleagues, and if so, make an effort to put in an appearance.
 
Don’t forget to also extend an olive branch to your current colleagues. It can be hard for a team to hear that a valued colleague is leaving, so take the time to personally explain to your closest colleagues why you are leaving.
 
Focus your reasons on the positive aspects of your new role, not the negatives of your current one. Let them know how much you’ve enjoyed working with them and that you’d like to keep in contact.
 

Be excited

Accepting a job offer is an exciting step. This is the next chapter in your career and what you have been working towards. Convey this to your new boss to further underline that they have made the right decision.
 
Now that you’ve accepted your new job offer, you may be interested in our tips on starting a new job or further career development advice. 

How to structure a job offer acceptance letter or email   

While your job offer acceptance letter or email should be succinct, it is still a formal business document that will be added to your employment file. Therefore, it should be well-constructed, error-free and contain specific details.
 
Check out our steps below for determining what to say when accepting a job offer:

1. Express gratitude 

Begin your job offer acceptance letter by thanking your new employer for offering you the position. Clearly state the job title and the organisation’s name. 
 
For example, “Thank you for your time on the phone yesterday. I was delighted to receive your formal offer today for the role of [Job Title] at [XYZ company].” 

2. Officially accept the job offer

Next, communicate that you are delighted to accept the offer. You may like to mention that you look forward to starting.  
 
For example, “I am happy to officially accept your offer of employment. I look forward to joining your team.” 

3. Clarify the salary and benefits

Then clarify the salary and benefits package when accepting the offer. 
 
For example, “As discussed, my starting salary is [$XX,XXX], with [an annual performance-based bonus, training, professional membership and hybrid working] part of the offer.”

4. Note your start date 

If you're transferring from another job, you will likely have to work out a notice period. In your acceptance letter, formally communicate the notice period and starting date to avoid confusion. If you are yet to confirm your notice period with your current employer, explain that you will notify them in writing of your start date as soon as possible.. 
For example, “I can confirm that I am required to serve out a four-week notice period with my current employer. My start date will be Monday 23rd June.”

5. Conclude on a positive note 

End on a positive note by saying that you are looking forward to commencing your new role.  

For example, “I am looking forward to joining the team and getting started in my new role.”

Example formal acceptance letter or email

Once you've taken time to consider the role, reviewed the terms of the offer, and decided to accept the role, you can put these tips together and reply with a job acceptance letter like this:

"Thank you for your time [on the phone/in the office] yesterday. I was delighted to receive your formal offer today for the role of [Job Title] at [XYZ company]. I am happy to officially accept your offer of employment. I look forward to joining your team. 

As discussed, my starting salary is [$XX,XXX], with [an annual performance-based bonus, training, professional membership and hybrid working] as part of the offer. 

I can confirm that I am required to serve a four-week notice period with my current employer. My start date will be Monday 23rd June."

When accepting a job offer via email, make sure to take note of the hiring manager's correct name and honorifics for the greeting, then end with a professional sign-off such as "Best regards", Sincerely", "All the best", or simply "Thank you".