Guide

Job Offer Response

How you respond to a job offer, whichever way you're leaning, matters for your professional reputation. Here's how to accept, decline, or ask for more time, each done well.

Accepting a Job Offer

Confirm the key details in writing (start date, salary, title) even if you accepted verbally first, this protects both you and the employer if there's ever a discrepancy later.

• "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],"
• "Thank you for the offer to join [Company] as [Job Title]. I'm pleased to formally accept, with a start date of [date], as discussed."
• "Please let me know if there's any additional paperwork or information you need from me before then. I'm looking forward to getting started."
• "Kind regards, [Your Name]"

Declining a Job Offer

You don't owe a detailed explanation, a brief, gracious decline preserves the relationship for the future, and recruiting circles are smaller than they look.

• "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],"
• "Thank you very much for the offer to join [Company] as [Job Title]. After careful consideration, I've decided to decline at this time."
• "I genuinely enjoyed learning about the role and the team, and I hope our paths cross again in the future. Thank you again for your time and consideration."
• "Kind regards, [Your Name]"

Asking for More Time to Decide

It's reasonable to ask for a few extra days, especially if you're weighing another offer or need to discuss it with family. Be specific about how much time you need rather than leaving it open-ended.

• "Thank you for the offer, I'm genuinely excited about the opportunity. Would it be possible to have until [specific date, typically 3-5 business days out] to make my final decision?"

Frequently Asked Questions

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