How to Answer a Job Offer
Once you receive a job offer, the ball bounces into your court, and it is your responsibility to make the next move. The way in which you answer to a job offer can make a big impact on potential employers. To ensure that the perception you create is a positive one, regardless of which way your answer falls, carefully navigate this potentially sticky situation and demonstrate how professional you really are.
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Instructions
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Ask how much time you have to decide when the hiring manager or committee presents the offer. While you don’t want to keep them waiting unnecessarily, it is customary for companies to give you a bit of time to decide. To ensure that your decision process doesn’t extend beyond this deadline, specifically ask about it.
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Provide your answer in person. Unless separated from the company by a long distance, providing your answer face-to-face is a wise and polite thing to do. To do this, call the company and set up a meeting with the individual who presented you your offer.
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State your decision, giving reasons if you decided to decline the job. Don’t beat around the bush when accepting or declining, but instead state your decision in simple terms. While you don’t owe the company any explanations for deciding to turn down the job, it is polite to give a few reasons as to why you made that decision. For example, if the salary just isn’t high enough, tell them this. This gives them the opportunity to remedy the issue if they are really eager to get you on board.
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Move through salary negotiation if not satisfied with their offer. If you intend to accept but hope to get a slightly higher salary offer, counter their initial offer at the acceptance meeting and start the back and forth of salary negotiations.
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