JOB OFFERS
Responding Appropriately
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OFFICIAL OFFER
After a successful interview session, a good candidate can likely expect to receive an
official job offer within a week of the interview. Once an employer has interviewed all the
qualified candidates for a particular job position, he or she will make a choice of the
candidate who is the best fit. Typically, the chosen candidate will receive an offer from
the employer by telephone. In some instances, the offer might be confirmed in writing
through an official offer letter.
An official job offer usually consists of specific information related to the particular
position. An employer will state that the candidate was selected for the position and that
the company is prepared to make an official offer. In general, the employer will state the
job title, the name of the department, the starting salary, the starting date, and the details
of the benefit package.
TIME TO CONSIDER
It is always appropriate for a candidate to respond to the employer's offer with a request
for additional time to consider the offer. In fact, it is usually not recommended that a
candidate give an immediate answer to an employer's job offer. A period of 3 to 5 days
is an appropriate time to consider a job offer. It is inappropriate to request more than a
week to consider an offer.
The candidate should express gratitude to the employer. The candidate should express
interest in the position. And the candidate should be very tactful and respectful to asking
the employer for time to think about the offer. A candidate might say, "Thank you very
much for the offer. As you know, I am very interested in your company and in this
particular opportunity. If it is okay with you, I would like to take a few days to think about
your offer. May I call you back at the end of the week to give you my response?"
NEGOTIATING
If a candidate is interested in negotiating the specifics of the offer, it is appropriate to ask
the employer if he or she is willing to discuss the details of the offer. It certainly is within
a candidate's right to negotiate any offer. A candidate may initiate the subject by saying,
"Is this offer firm? Or is there room to negotiate? Can we discuss any of the details of
the offer before I give you a final response?"
Certainly, any discussion a candidate would like to initiate about the compensation or
benefits associated with a job offer should be based on solid research. The candidate is
advised to conduct indepth research regarding salary levels that are typical for the
position, company, industry, and market and the effects of educational and experience
level. In a negotiation discussion, a good candidate should be prepared to demonstrate
why he or she merits a higher salary. A candidate might say, "According to my research,
and based on my background and credentials, I was considering a salary closer to the
XXXXX level. Is that something we can talk about?"
ACCEPTING AN OFFER
A candidate may accept an offer in person (verbally), by telephone, or in writing (by
sending a letter of acceptance). Whatever method is use, when a candidate accepts an
offer, he or she should be gracious and express gratitude.
The candidate should briefly identify the position he or she is accepting. The candidate
might say, "This is a wonderful opportunity for me, and I am happy to accept the position
as XXXXXXX."
It is often a good idea to restate the terms as you understand them, including the
position title, starting date, job expectations, and rate of compensation.
DECLINING AN OFFER
A candidate may choose to reject or decline an offer. In such situations, it is critical for
the candidate to remain very positive and respectful.
The candidate should express gratitude. The candidate should exhibit great sensitivity,
tact, and diplomacy. It is not advisable to burn a bridge or damage the relationship.
A candidate might say, "Thank you very much for your generous offer. I am very grateful
for the interview and for your consideration of my candidacy for this position. I've
enjoyed getting to know you and your company. However, upon consideration of all the
relevant factors, I have decided not to accept your offer at this time." Or a candidate
might say, "… after careful consideration, I feel I must decline your offer at this time."
A candidate might state a reason, but only if great sensitivity to shown to the employer in
giving such an explanation. A candidate might say that he or she has decided to accept
another offer (don't say, "a better offer"). A candidate might say that the other offer is
"more conducive to my situation at this time."
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MICHAEL LEBEAU 2007