Accepting a job offer

Not sure how to go about accepting a job offer? We can help…

Congratulations! You’ve got the job! After all your hard work in preparing for interviews and trying to impress, these are the words you’ve been waiting to hear. But what do you do next? 

You probably feel relieved, excited or maybe even surprised to hear the news. And it can be tempting to say “YES!” straight away. But taking your time and making sure you have all the facts first is very important.

Here’s out top tips on what to do when you receive a job offer.

#1 Don’t panic

It’s most likely you’ll be told the good news that you’ve got the job in a phone call after your interview. Chances are, you weren’t expecting the call at that precise moment, so you may feel a little unprepared.

First things first, don’t panic. Stay calm and don’t feel in a rush to accept straight away. It’s a good idea to show a little gratitude – after all, they probably spent quite a bit of time deciding on the right candidate. Plus, you also want to continue to make the right impression to your soon-to-be employer.

#2 Listen carefully

During the call (or in the initial email if you receive the offer in writing), you’ll be given some basic details. This usually includes the salary they’re offering and the date they’d like you to start work. 

You might also be given some additional information such as working hours or even feedback on why you were the successful candidate.

Try to make a note of what’s been said or ask for a moment to grab a pen so you can make a note.

#3 Take a moment

If you know for sure this is the right job offer for you and you’d like to accept, let them know straight away. It will show your new boss how keen and committed you are and confirm that they made the right choice.

If you’re not sure, that’s fine too. Maybe you have other interviews you’re waiting to hear from, or even multiple job offers to consider. Or maybe the details of the job offer aren’t quite what you were expecting.

Don’t be afraid to ask for more time to consider the offer. Explain that you’d like to have some time to think about the offer or to discuss it with your family or friends. Be honest, but make sure you let them know when you will respond so they know you’re definitely interested.

#4 Get all the information

Your prospective employer should now send you the offer in writing to confirm all the details. If they don’t, make sure you chase this up as unless the offer’s in writing, it’s not official!

Make sure you have all the information you need to make or confirm your choice. Read through the offer letter carefully, taking into account things like salary and benefits, working hours and holidays for example.

#5 Ask questions

If you feel there’s something important missing or you’d like to know more about the job you’ll be doing, the training on offer or the future career prospects, for example, make sure you ask. 

You want to be sure that you’re making an informed choice with all the facts to hand. Accepting a job offer is a big commitment and sometimes asking the right questions can show the employer you’re serious about working for them.

Equally, don’t be afraid to negotiate if you’re not 100% happy with the offer you’ve received. Before turning the job offer down because it’s not exactly what you were hoping for, speak to the employer first.

Be clear about what you’re looking for if the salary is lower than you were expecting or if you need to vary the hours for example. But be careful, as being overly demanding could lead to the offer being withdrawn.

#6 Give your response

When you’re happy with all the details, let your new boss know you accept the job offer. You might want to do this by telephone to express your thanks and enthusiasm, but it’s a good idea to put it in writing too.

A brief email or letter to confirm you wish to accept and when you can start will suffice. Keep it professional, but let them know that you’re looking forward to starting in your new job. 

At this stage, once all the details have been confirmed in writing and you’ve signed a legal contract, it’s safe to hand in your notice with your current employer. Withdraw your application from other interviews or active recruitment processes and start preparing from your next step.

Accepting a job offer is the first step in starting your new venture. If you may also need to let your current employer know the news, so check out our top tips on how to resign from your job.