A Job Offer Letter furnishes the new employee with the conditions of the offer, benefit details, reimbursement, and job description (amongst other details).
An employer typically searches for the best candidate who will suit the ethos and personality of the company and other workers through a recruitment process. Once a suitable candidate is found, a verbal job offer could be extended to the employee in person or over a phone call, or via email. In this article, we have provided samples and templates of job offer letters along with a how-to-write guide. But first, let us truly understand the need for a job offer letter.
The employee is expected to read the terms and sign the offer afterward if the terms are suitable. If not, the employee could reject the offer or present a counteroffer of demands. Once signed, it signifies that the employee has accepted all terms and it is legally binding. Generally, a written job offer letter must follow whichever used notification process.
Job offer letter has other appellations, any of which can be used by an employer but with the same meaning. Such names are:
- Letter of employment
- Offer of employment
- Employment offer
- Employment letter
- Offer letter
- Employment offer letter
Job Offer Letter Templates
Job Offer Letter Templates are valuable resources for employers seeking to extend formal employment offers to prospective candidates. These templates provide a standardized format for presenting key information, such as the job title, compensation package, start date, and other relevant details. Here are some templates for your ease.
Why Should I Use an Employment Offer Letter?
An employment offer letter is vital in that it clarifies all information for the prospective employee and communicates the rights and obligations of each party to the other. In simple terms, it clears confusion and makes for an easy working relationship even before the commencement of the job. It is also vital when an employee wishes to negotiate some terms (benefits, vacation days) or resign in the future.
Having an employment offer letter serves an employer for many reasons, such as:
- It conveys the offer of a job to the prospective employee.
- It details the job description and clarifies all obligations of the employee contained therein.
- It communicates the obligations of the employer to the employee.
- It communicates the applicable rights and benefits to the employee.
- It also specifies other conditional requirements that a prospective employee has to meet (background checks, medical examinations etc.).
A job offer letter could be verbal or written. For a verbal offer, the offer is given orally to the candidate in person (probably immediately after a selection stage, i.e., interview) or over a phone conversation. Inversely, a written job offer is a printed offer tendered to the candidate either in hard or soft format. A written job offer is more formal and contains the terms and conditions of the job offer. You can download the freshly crafted job offer letter templates from below.
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Here are free customizable templates of job offer letters:
Job Offer Letter Vs. Employment Contract
An employment contract is usually a legalese document between an employee and an employer, agreeing to the terms and conditions of a job offer while detailing its key elements. It is usually a lengthy written, implied, or oral agreement binding on both signatories. A job offer letter, on the other hand, does not require that much formality. It features a less detailed and less demanding job description and job responsibilities.
Like a job offer letter, an employment contract details compensation, benefits plan, rights and obligations of the employee/employer, and start date. However, a dissimilar feature of the employment contract from the job offer letter is that the employment contract typically states termination procedure, termination date, and option for renewal if applicable.
An employment contract is mainly used in temporary job positions, time-bound positions, short-term openings, and high-level positions requiring a longer duration from the employee or key resources from the employer (which the employer will typically utilize).
An employment contract guarantees both the employee and employer active engagement within the confines of the agreement, while a job offer letter operates an at-will employment protocol. At-will employment law states that an employee works at his or her discretion and an employer/employee could terminate an employment status at any time, with or without notice or cause – excluding discriminatory grounds.
What to Include in a Job Offer
The essential components of a job offer letter template needed for a smooth working relationship are described below:
Job title
All job offers should generally contain the name of the job position on offer to the employee. It gives the employee basic details about the work.
Job description
A job offer letter should also feature a job description. A job description goes a step farther than the job title as it gives a detailed depiction of the expected activities and responsibilities of the employee. It also details the purpose of the job, its scope, goals and objectives, supervisor or supervisee, working conditions, and any special requirements of the job.
Furthermore, a job description states the employment status, such as a full-time/part-time or permanent/temporary status, and the number of working hours required. A full-time position is differentiated from a part-time position based on the workable weekly hours. Generally, a full-time position is marked by 30 – 50 weekly workable hours, with 40 hours being typical.
A position with shorter hours is marked as a part-time position. A permanent job position offers the employee an indefinite job offer (within reason) and associated benefits, while a temporary position is usually seasonal and/or definite without associated benefits.
Starting date of employment
Starting day of employment is the official first day and date when an employee commences operation for the organization. It is usually the date communicated in the job offer letter and is the formal date when rights and obligations become eligible for both parties. Typically, it is the first working day of a month or week, but employers can pick a favorable date.
Employment contingencies
Employment contingencies are extra conditions an employer requires the prospective employee to meet before finalizing the employment. Such conditions demonstrate an employee’s capabilities to fulfill the job requirements or to ensure the safety of stakeholders.
For example, a customer service position will probably require a medical examination to ascertain the proper working conditions of the auditory and visual organs. A school will probably conduct a background check on intending faculty members to guard against employing a criminal or a registered sex offender.
Work schedule
A job offer letter should disclose the required working hours and days in a week. It further states if the work is shift-based and its procedure. A typical working hour is 8 hours/day, 5 days/week, and 4 weeks/month. Any unique working schedule pertinent to the employer or role should be contained in the offer letter.
Reporting structure
The reporting structure is the pattern of the “chain of command” in an organization. It is an organized reporting process concerning relationships between the gradient levels of authority in a company. The reporting structure communicated in an offer letter intimates the employee to the due process and clears confusion or mistakes.
Salary
This is the fixed financial compensation agreed on by both parties for services rendered. It is the employee’s right and the employer’s obligation and can be reviewed based on the company’s performance, structure, or contractual agreement. The salary is usually communicated as an annual sum in the job offer letter.
Probation period and its duration
The job offer letter should detail any probationary needs, if applicable, and the timeframe (typically three months) as agreed by both parties. Employers use probation periods to ascertain the suitability of their hire, and unsuitable hires can be summarily dismissed.
Paid time off
Paid Time Off, also known as PTO, is a benefit given to an employee to be absent from work without financial deductions for a specified duration. This benefit covers sick leave, leave of absence, and vacation days. Details of the PTO should be contained in the offer letter.
Benefits information and eligibility
Benefits plan differs across employers; some employers operate a generalized benefits plan while others utilize a graded benefits plan. The offer letter should contain the employer’s benefits information and eligibility criteria where applicable. Examples of benefits include health insurance, pension plan, business travel insurance, and automobile privileges, amongst others.
Privacy policies
This statement in the job offer letter intimates the employee on his or her privacy rights and what constitutes the personal information the employer collects. The employer states the collection, storage, and sharing protocols. An employer might need to disclose such information to intending investors, partners, and other third-party affiliates to propagate the company’s legal activities.
Termination conditions
An employer also details the circumstances that could legally end an employee’s activities in the company and the procedure after that in an offer letter. The nature of the employment dictates the applicable termination process.
At-will statement
This is a statement in a job offer letter stating that the employee works indefinitely at will with the company, without any contractual commitment, and that the employer or employee can terminate the employment at a moment’s notice, with or without cause.
Acknowledgment of offer and confirmation of acceptance
It is prudent for an employee to submit a written acknowledgment of the job offer, reiterating all the job details within a given timeframe. A job offer letter is usually followed by the employee’s stance: rejecting, accepting, or presenting a counter offer.
If the job offer details are satisfactory and encompass all discussed elements, the employee formally confirms the acceptance of the job offer in the letter. Acknowledgment of offer and acceptance confirmation could be executed simply by signing and returning a job offer letter within the permissible timeframe.
Additional details
Additional details that may also be included in a job offer letter are:
- Description of job responsibilities: This description of all tasks the employee is expected to carry out while executing its duties.
- Manager/supervisor name and title: The names and titles of all direct managers or supervisors the employee will be reporting to can also be featured in a job offer letter.
- Workplace location and expected working hours: The offer letter should generally contain information about the worksite and the expected working hours. This is usually a physical street address where an employee is anticipated to carry out its duties and the required number of hours per day in a week.
- Additional compensation potential: Additional compensation refers to the value of all tangible/intangible benefits an employer offers the employee, excluding the base working salary. This could be information regarding over-time benefits, remunerations for working remotely, childcare services, or applicable benefits.
- Offer letter expiration date: An employer can stipulate the length of validity of the offer in an offer of employment. Generally, an employee should be aware that an offer is time-sensitive.
What is Job Offer Letter Template
A job offer letter template is a pre-build format of a job offer letter that an employer can use to write and send quick job offers. Using a job offer letter template can help save time to write the letter every time from scratch. It enables the writer to make necessary changes in the context to finish any type of job offer letter. Moreover, it is a good idea to use a job offer letter template to have a constant format that adds up to build a company’s brand image.
Template 01
Dear (Name of Candidate),We are pleased to offer you XYZ position at ABC Company. We had (Number of candidates) for this position, but we are selecting you (insert the reasons for selecting the person). We are positive that you are going to be a great fit for our team.
Can you contact us (insert date and time) to discuss this job opportunity? We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Template 02
Sample # 1Dear (Name of Candidate),
We are pleased to offer you (part time or full time) position of XYZ at ABC Company.
You were the top candidate among (insert number of candidates). We are selecting you (insert reasons for selection). Given below are the details of benefits, compensation, terms, and condition of your job with ABC Company.
We will start with (insert pay rate) per (insert year etc) on (insert monthly, weekly, etc) basis, starting (insert period here).
You will be reporting to (manager, supervisor) starting on (insert date) at (insert location). You will be working for (insert hours or days expected).
You will be eligible for benefits such as (health, dental, vision, etc) and we are offering you (insert compensation benefits).
You can call or email us for further information. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
XYZ
Template 03
Dear (Insert Name of Applicant Here),(Insert Name of Company Here) is offering you (Insert Job Title) and we are excited to make you a part of our organization.
Out of (Number of Candidates), you were among the top three. The reason we are selecting you for this job is (Insert reason here). We are quite sure of your qualifications and believe that you would be a great fit for our team.
(Insert Company’s Name here) is offering a (part time, full time) position for you. You will be reporting to (insert name of supervisor or manager) starting at (insert date here) on (insert location here). The expected hours for the work would be (insert information here).
We are offering to start you at (insert dollar amount here) per (insert year, hour, etc. here). You will be paid on (weekly, monthly, bi-weekly etc.) basis, starting (Insert period here).
As part of compensation, we are offering you (insert compensation here). You will be eligible for (insert benefits here).
If you have any questions, feel free to call or email us.
Sincerely, (Name of Sender)
Template 04
Dear (Insert Name of Applicant Here),(Insert Name of Company Here) is offering you (Insert Job Title) and we are excited to make you a part of our organization.
Out of (Number of Candidates), you were among the top three. The reason we are selecting you for this job is (Insert reason here). We are quite sure of your qualifications and believe that you would be a great fit for our team.
(Insert Company’s Name Here) is offering a (part-time, full-time) position for you. You will be reporting to (insert name of supervisor or manager) starting at (insert date here) on (insert location here). The expected hours for the work would be (insert information here).
We are offering to start you at (insert dollar amount here) per (insert year, hour, etc. here). You will be paid on a (weekly, monthly, bi-weekly, etc.) basis, starting (Insert period here).
As part of compensation, we are offering you (insert compensation here). You will be eligible for (insert benefits here).
If you have any questions, feel free to call or email us.
Sincerely, (Name of Sender)
Template 05
Dear (Name of Candidate),
We are pleased to offer you a (part-time or full-time) position at XYZ at ABC Company.
You were the top candidate among (insert number of candidates). We are selecting you (insert reasons for selection). Given below are the details of benefits, compensation, terms, and condition of your job with ABC Company.
We will start with (insert pay rate) per (insert year etc) on (insert monthly, weekly, etc) basis, starting (insert period here).
You will be reporting to (manager, supervisor) starting on (insert date) at (insert location). You will be working for (insert hours or days expected).
You will be eligible for benefits such as (health, dental, vision, etc) and we are offering you (insert compensation benefits).
You can call or email us for further information. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
XYZ
Email Template
Dear (Name of Candidate), We are pleased to offer you the XYZ position at ABC Company. We had (Number of candidates) for this position, but we are selecting you (insert the reasons for selecting the person). We are positive that you are going to be a great fit for our team.
Can you contact us (insert date and time) to discuss this job opportunity? We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
XYZ
Sample letter
10/22/2012
Â
Jane Smith,
1545 Jennifer Lane,
Durham, North Carolina, 27713.
Â
Dear Jane Smith,
We at Integrated Schools Mission are delighted to offer you the full-time Assistant Head Matron position in our organization. The start date is November 1, 2021, which is dependent upon a full background check and a medical examination.
You shall be resuming at Creek Valley High, 4107 Lewis Lane, Durham, North Carolina, and shall be reporting to the Head Matron, Mrs. Patton Lodge.
You shall be tasked with overseeing the general welfare and health care of the students in the boarding facility. You shall directly liaise between the Day Nurse and Night Nurse, and update the health records to better reflect all health care administered daily.
The working hours shall be between 07:00 and 16:00 for a total of 9 hours daily, 5 days a week. There shall be alternate weekend duties between you and the Head Matron (with additional compensation). In addition, you shall be expected to carry out your duties during the semester break on rotation with other personnel, for the benefit of the students on campus (no added compensation).
The base salary is an annual sum of $45,000, which shall be paid every month. Compensation for weekend duties shall be $300 for each weekend and the sum added to the total monthly salary, which shall be paid on every 25th day of each month.
Benefits available to our employees include 401k, health insurance (covering medical, dental, and mental health insurance), and 3 weeks annual leave. You shall also use the school’s ambulance and bus to transport emergencies to the hospital or for supplies.
Note that your employment with us is on an indefinite at-will basis, and this offer is not a contract. Consequently, any party can cease your duties at any time with or without cause or notice.
We expect your response no later than November 29, 2021. You confirm and accept this offer by signing and returning this letter within the stipulated time.
We are eager to work with you, and we anticipate your positive contributions to the students’ lives. Please contact us for any clarification if needed.
Best regards,
E. Doe
Evelyn Doe,
Human Resource Lead
Candidate Signature: ______________________________
Candidate Printed Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________________________
Samples and Examples
We know that it is hard to craft a perfect job offer letter without any errors and flaws. That is why we are providing you with exemplary samples and templates that will help you to understand the sentence structure and tone of the letter:
Other templates of job offer letter include:
Frequently Asked Questions
An offer acceptance rate (OAR) is a metric showing the attractiveness and acceptance rate of an employer’s job offer. OAR percentage is calculated by dividing the number of accepted offers by the total number of offers, multiplied by 100.
A high rate signifies that an employer’s job offer is competitive and employs the best suitable candidates for each role. A low rating means the job offer and employer’s practices should be evaluated.
Drafting an offer letter could take between a few minutes and days based on the peculiarities of the offer and the company’s practices. For example, some companies operate a company-wide job offer format, especially for low or entry-level positions, where information is uniform and requires only a few minutes of editing. Seasonal and temporary job offers are also less complicated and should only take minutes using a template.
Drafting a new offer letter, addressing key job/offer peculiarities, or a legalese offer – requiring a lawyer’s service – might require up to hours or days. Generally, care has to be taken in drafting an offer letter to avoid mistakes.