How to accept a job offer

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 steps you should follow when accepting a new job. To help, we share our advice on how to write an acceptance email and we include a job offer acceptance template, so you can get started right away.
 
Before you accept a job offer, it’s important to take time to review the details. 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 the verbal offer. Does it align to what you were expecting? Is the salary, position description, benefits, training and hours, for instance, the same as what was discussed during the job interview? Ensure you finalise all these details so you can thoughtfully consider the job offer.

Job acceptance steps from Hays

This video offers advice on accepting a job offer. Follow these 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 – ask for it. You don’t want to accept a job offer you aren’t happy with, so rather than making an unconsidered decision, let them know your appreciation for the offer, confirm your interest in the role, then give your recruiter and the hiring manager a timeframe of when you will come back with your answer. One or two days is considered standard, and make sure you stick to the deadline. 
 
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. As mentioned, most job offers are made verbally in the first instance, and this is the time to start negotiations if you are unhappy with one or more aspects. Don’t wait until the formal written offer is sent. 
 
If you have any concerns, raise them with your recruiter, remember they are ready to help you through the negotiations to reach an offer that works from both sides. Often, your recruiter will already know if there is any room for movement on salary or benefits, so talk with them. Ensure you are realistic in your requests, check salary guides to ensure the offer is meeting market norms and think back to 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

Once both parties have discussed and reached an offer that acceptable to both sides, usually a formal letter is sent to confirm the details and terms of employment in writing. When you receive the written formal offer, read it thoroughly and check that everything that was negotiated is covered and correct.
 
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 should arrive promptly.

During your notice period

Once you have sent your job offer acceptance email, aim to keep in touch with your new employer during your notice period. For example, you could send them an email half way 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 to a team gathering to meet your future colleagues. 

Don’t forget to also keep current colleagues up to date with the news. It can be hard for a team to hear that a 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 acceptance email should be succinct, it is still a formal business communication that will be added to your employment file. It should therefore be well-constructed, error-free and contain the following details: 

1. Express your thanks 

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 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 start 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 as soon as possible of your start date. 
 
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 starting your new role.  

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

Example acceptance letter or email

 
Congratulations on getting an official job offer and reaching the end of your job search. 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. I am looking forward to joining the team and getting started in my new role."
 
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".