Accept your job offer in the right way

There is no better feeling during a job search than when saying “Yes” to a job offer. No matter how enthusiastic you are to accept a job, it is a decision that must be taken with a lot of forethought. Sometimes, taking a step back and evaluating the initial offer will give you the chance to analyze the pros and cons and come up with better terms.

So, how should you successfully accept a job offer?

1. Express your appreciation

The first thing you must do when you get the fated call or email is to thank the person who made the offer. Tell them that you are excited about the new opportunity and are grateful to them for giving you a chance. This creates a great first impression with the person you are communicating with, which is useful if you decide to negotiate the terms of the offer later.

2. Get the offer in writing

One mistake many job seekers make is saying yes to a verbal job offer. Once all is set and signed, they find out that they have accepted less than favorable terms. You should have a clear understanding of what you are saying yes to. Therefore, ask the company to put the offer down in writing before you move forward. Your official job offer letter should include the job title, starting dates, salary, and other benefits.

3. Review the offer

Once you have received the offer letter, you can carefully consider the terms listed by the employer to see whether the job aligns with your career goals. Getting the offer in writing will make things official and give you a chance to review everything thoroughly. Go through the offer letter and clarify any doubts you have about the position.

4. Get a deadline on your answer

When the employer sends you the offer letter, ask them how much time you have to make a decision. Most employers are ethical and will give you a day or two to make a decision. However, there are some companies that will ask for an immediate answer as a scare tactic. You can let the employer know that you have reviewed the offer and would like to set up a time with them to discuss the opportunity further.

5. Prep for salary negotiations

Next comes the negotiation stage, where you have to try and get the employer to provide what you are asking for. Take a collaborative approach to the salary negotiations. Avoid being confrontational about it. You can do some research about the average pay for a person of your caliber in the role. This will help you come up with a better salary that suits your needs.

6. Say the right thing when accepting the offer

After the negotiations, there will come a time when you need to accept the offer. When you accept it, repeat the details about your offer as you understand. You can lead with something like “I understand that I will be eligible for X, Y, and Z.” This will help you finalize what you have negotiated from the initial offer. You should also get the final offer in writing before you accept.