Job offers

If you are awaiting a definite job offer generally the earlier you hear something the better. A delay could mean that you are classed as a 'possible' and your chance of an offer may well depend on someone withdrawing. If meanwhile you get an alternative job offer, you could mention this to the delaying organisation, such a situation has been known to spur on the firm you are still interested in to make a decision. What constitutes a job offer
If you have a verbal offer following an interview make sure that you get it in writing as soon as possible - an organisation which seriously wants to employ you will make the effort to do this. A formal offer of employment will be in writing and often takes the form of a letter which outlines the terms and conditions associated with the offer. These should include:

• Date of offer
• Company
• Job title or position offered
• Department and location
• Date you will start work
• Salary and method of payment
• Hours of work and holiday entitlement
• Period of notice to terminate employment on either side

The letter should be signed by an employee of the organisation who is competent to make such an offer, often a Personnel Officer/Human Resources Manager. It may also contain other terms of employment such as details of the company rules, pension fund information, details of future salary review, etc. It can also contain conditional clauses such as: Offer conditional upon:

• Obtaining a degree/acheiving at least a second class honours degree (if you are in your final year).
• Passing the company medical examination.
• Suitable references.
• Acceptance of the offer before a specified date.
• Satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period, etc.

Ask yourself whether you can meet these conditions, are the terms and conditions offered those which were outlined at the interview. Before acceptance seek clarification of anything you do not understand or which you feel has been omitted. If you accept a conditional offer, the employer is not bound to employ you unless and until you meet the conditions. On the other hand, even though the contract will not come into operation until then, you have undertaken to work for that employer if you do fulfil the requirements. This means that if the condition attached to the offer is seen by you as a mere formality, very likely to be fulfilled, you would be wise to behave as though you had accepted an unconditional offer. If you are doubtful about meeting the conditions, you could continue your job search, but you must remember that you have undertaken a legal obligation by accepting the conditional offer. You should keep a job offer letter safe as it forms one part of your contract of employment. An unconditional offer
In this case there are no 'strings' attached, it's a straightforward offer of a job you really want. The terms are right and no further clarification is needed. The employer has attached no conditions, and you do not wish to add any conditions to your acceptance.

• Accept in writing restating salary, starting date, job title and any other important points.
• Decline all other offers and inform all other organisations with whom you are an active candidate that you have accepted a job. State your appreciation for the time and interest they have shown you.

Problems
Although your first reaction to the offer of a job may be euphoric, it is important that you evaluate realistically the implications of accepting it (and the implications of declining it). This becomes especially important if you are in the fortunate position of having several offers to choose from, or having one offer and other applications 'in the pipeline'. You may be unsure of the offer, you may need more time to consider, you may be waiting for the results of other interviews which will not arrive before the offer deadline. In these circumstances you should:

1. Acknowledge the job offer by return, expressing your appreciation and indicating that you will be giving your decision in writing (within the next week, by a specific date). If the job offer has a time limit for acceptance, and you have interviews outstanding, it is possible to write and ask for the time limit to be extended. Most employers will concur with a reasonable time extension. Immediately get in touch with employers in whom you still have an interest, and from whom you are still awaiting a response. Explain that you are in receipt of a rival offer and that you are now under pressure to make an employment decision. Such an enquiry may prompt some employers to speed up their decision whether to make an offer or not. However other employers may not be able to do so, and you will have to decide whether to take the risk of declining the job offer in hand, in the hope of one which might not materialise.
2. Do not accept the offer on the basis that you can change your mind and decline it later. This can reflect badly on you and is unfair to other candidates who may catch the backlash from this employer who may have sent 'regret letters' to the other candidates and now has to recruit for the position all over again.
3. Try to see a careers adviser or someone qualified to give suitable guidance as soon as possible to discuss the situation.

Factors that may influence decisions
Finally, the time will come for you to decide which offer to accept. What should you consider in making this decision? You will want to consider both immediate and longer range factors. Immediate factors, such as type of work, salary, tend to be more concrete than longer range factors, such as opportunities for promotion, company culture, quality of management. Because immediate factors are more concrete they can unconsciously become a bigger part of your decision. Longer range factors, however, are really the key to determining whether you will be happy with your choice for at least the first few years. When so many employers, at least on the surface, look so similar, it is not always easy to spot the essential differences that will help you to choose the best possible match for the unique blend of personal skills, experience, aptitudes and values that you, as an individual, possess. What is a 'good employer' for your friends, might be a terrible choice for you. It pays therefore to spend a bit of time in looking behind the public image of an employer, finding out as much as you reasonably can so that when you make the choice you have made it on the best available evidence. The following checklist might help you to clarify what you need to know before you decide to accept a job, and if you are in a dilemma, to sort out what factors are really important to you. Job offer evaluation checklist (pdf - 49KB)
It is by no means exhaustive and you will probably have questions of your own. Bear in mind that few people are in 'ideal jobs' and that some jobs adapt to the people in them, but that a leap into a unsuitable job could mean months of misery. Accepting an offer
Having made a decision to accept an offer of employment it is sufficient to write a letter of acceptance. You should structure your letter to include the following:

• All relevant formalities such as names, business addresses, and date.
• Thanks to your new employer for offering you the position.
• Tell them you are delighted to accept the offer.
• Inform them of your start date (if not confirmed, say you will notify them as soon as possible)
• End on a positive note, saying you are looking forward to joining the team

An example of acceptable letter can viewed below: Job offer acceptance letter template (pdf - 18KB) This letter constitutes the remaining part of your contract of employment. You should keep a copy and store it safely with the other offer letter. Back to interview technique