Updated September 11, 2023
A job offer letter is an offer of employment that includes pay, work schedule, and responsibilities. An offer letter is considered non-binding until accepted by the employee and an employment contract is signed.
By Type (3)
Employment Offer Letter – To make an offer to hire a standard employee.
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Independent Contractor Offer Letter – To make an offer to a 1099 independent contractor.
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Internship Offer Letter – To make an offer to offer an intern a position.
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Table of Contents |
What is a Job Offer?
A job offer is a non-binding offer of employment to an individual by an employer. The offer should outline the employment details such as the position or title, pay, full or part-time, and any company benefits.
The employee will commonly have to accept or reject the offer within a specific time frame.
Job Offer vs. Employment Contract
The difference is a Job Offer is non-binding while an Employment Contract is legally binding between the parties.
How to Offer a Job (5 steps)
- Find out the “Standard” Pay
- Decide the Benefits
- Send the Offer Letter
- Wait for a Response
- Write an Employment Contract
3. Write and Send the Offer
Complete and finalize the letter with the broad terms of employment. Typically, the letter is non-binding or conditional upon a Background Check being performed or verification of the individual’s academic achievements (if any).
4. Wait for a Response
The candidate will respond in one (1) of the following methods:
- Accept the Job Offer – This will usually be in an Acceptance Letter that would demonstrate that the individual agrees to the terms, in principle, which would usually be followed by an employment agreement.
- Counter the Job Offer – This is sometimes referred to as a “salary counter-offer” as the candidate would be interested in the job if it were to pay more or have other benefits. This would be written in the form of a Counter-Offer Letter.
- Reject the Job Offer – If the candidate believes that the job is not a good fit he or she would be recommended to write a Rejection Letter. It is best to be as polite as possible in writing such as letter and to thank the Company for providing the position while stating the reasons for declining the offer.
5. Writing an Employment Contract
If the candidate and the employer come to terms with a working arrangement then an Employment Contract should be signed.
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Sample: Job Offer Letter
JOB OFFER
[EMPLOYER’S NAME]
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE]
[ZIP CODE]
Date: [DATE]
Dear [EMPLOYEE’S NAME],
[EMPLOYER’S NAME] (“Company”), is pleased to offer you employment in accordance with the terms below:
I. POSITION.
- Type: ☐ Employee ☐ Independent Contractor ☐ Internship
- Title. [POSITION TITLE]
- Duties. [ENTER RESPONSIBILITIES]
II. TERMS.
- Supervisor. [NAME]
- Start Date. [DATE]
- End Date. ☐ Indefinite ☐ [DATE]
- Employment. ☐ Part-Time ☐ Full-Time
- Pay. [AMOUNT] ☐ Salary ☐ per Hour ☐ Commission ☐ [OTHER]
- Benefits. ☐ 401(k) ☐ Medical insurance ☐ [OTHER]
- Vacation. [#] Days per Year
- Personal / Sick Leave. [#] Days per Year
- Other. [OTHER TERMS]
III. CONDITIONS.
- Acceptance. Employee must accept this offer by [DATE].
- Background Report Required? ☐ Yes ☐ No
If the above-mentioned terms and conditions meet your qualifications for employment, it would be our pleasure to work with you. Please accept our offer by contacting me at any of the following methods:
Phone: [PHONE]
E-Mail: [E-MAIL]
We happily look forward to the opportunity of working with you.
Sincerely,
____________________________
[PRINT NAME]
EMPLOYEE’S ACCEPTANCE
I, [EMPLOYEE’S NAME], hereby agree to the terms of the above offer of employment. I understand that this offer is non-binding with a separate agreement to be written afterward.
Employee’s Signature: ____________________ Date: [DATE]
Print Name: [EMPLOYEE’S NAME]