Congratulations! If you are reading this, that means that you have received a job offer via email. You might be thinking “Great! So, all I need to do now is just show up.” But, before you can start, you need to accept the offer formally. Here is how to accept a job offer via e-mail.
From the Starting Line
To start, first read the offer carefully. It should correctly include all the terms that you came to an agreement on with your potential employer. Was anything changed last minute, or did you not notice a certain aspect of the role that you applied and interviewed for? Before you even think of responding to the offer, you need to see for yourself if everything correlates with what was discussed during your interview(s). If there is a mistake or change in the offer letter, make sure to clarify what was discussed before you agree to anything. Be sure to look out for your Salary, Benefits, Start Date, etc.
Craft A New Email
When drafting your formal acceptance or decline of the job offer, do NOT reply to the original email in which the employer is offering you the job, craft a new email. When creating a subject line, write exactly what the email is about “NAME Job Offer Acceptance with COMPANY.” Make sure to send it to whoever sent you the original email, and CC anyone that was CC’d in the original email as well.
Express Your Gratitude!
It is important to be formal in your acceptance/declination email, but it is even more important to show your gratitude, whether you accept or not. Start your email with how you feel about the opportunity.
Start with something along the lines of:
“I would first like to thank you for this amazing opportunity.”
After that, lead with your intent of the email. Are you accepting or declining the offer?
Accepting) “I am happy to formally accept your offer and join the (COMPANY) Team.
Declining) “Unfortunately, I can no longer accept this offer as I have accepted one with another employer between the last time we spoke.”
*If you choose to decline the offer, make sure you wish them luck and restate your gratitude. *
“…Though I would still like to wish you luck in your search to fill the open role. Thank you.”
Confirm The Agreed Terms Of The Offer
As mentioned before, make it a point to double-check your offer for the Salary, Benefits, Start Date, etc. that was agreed upon. When you see that everything is correct, make it a point to mention the agreed terms in your acceptance email.
“…As discussed during our last meeting, my starting salary will be $____ with __ weeks of PTO and full benefits. I look forward to my first day on _/_/_!”
Establish Any Last Requests
There will always be paperwork involved in joining a new company. In the case that your future employer needs you to complete any paperwork (or at least send over a few documents to Human Resources) before starting, be sure to ask if there is anything that needs to be taken care of or sent over on your side.
“…Is there anything that you may need from me prior to my first day? I will happily take care of any paperwork between now and then.”
Restate Your Gratitude And Sign Off
It is just as important to end on a thankful note as it is to start on one. As your acceptance email ends, it should restate your gratitude for the opportunity. When you finish, make sure to sign the end and leave your contact information under your signature so it can be found easily if needed later.
“…Thank you again for this amazing opportunity, I look forward to reaching new levels of success while at (COMPANY), both professionally and as a team!
In shared success,
(First Name) (Last Name)
(123) 456-7890
Example@email.com”
In the end, your full email response should not be too long. Altogether, it should look something like this:
“Dear (HIRING MANAGER),
I would first like to thank you for this amazing opportunity. I am beyond happy to formally accept your offer and join the (COMPANY) Team.
As discussed during our last meeting, my starting salary will be $____ with __ weeks of PTO and full benefits. I look forward to my first day on _/_/_!
Is there anything that you may need from me prior to my first day? I will happily take care of any paperwork between now and then.
Thank you again for this amazing opportunity, I look forward to reaching new levels of success while at (COMPANY), both professionally and as a team!
In shared success,
(First Name) (Last Name)
(123) 456-7890
Example@email.com
Written by
Spencer Ford
Marketing Contributor
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