How to Accept a Job Offer and Thank the Recruiter

Receiving a formal offer letter starts the process of accepting your new job.

When you make it through the interview process successfully and receive your job offer, it may feel like time to celebrate. Before you celebrate, though, don't forget to accept the offer. It's also good etiquette to thank the recruiter; it can be helpful to be on positive terms with a recruiter in the future in case you change jobs. Always accept a job offer and thank the recruiter in writing to avoid any confusion or mistakes. Then it's time to celebrate.

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Instructions

Accepting the Job Offer
- 1
  
  Verbal offers are a starting point, but look for a written offer letter.
  
  Review the job offer. Make sure the formal written offer letter is consistent with your expectations. If the salary is off, the job description doesn't match or other elements of the written offer aren't what you expect, call the recruiter or company directly to clarify the discrepancy. If the interviewer tells you verbally that the job pays $75,000, but the offer letter only says $60,000, and you accept it in writing, you may find yourself earning the lower salary.
- 2
  
  Request a new written job offer if there are any changes. If you spot a discrepancy, and the
  company verbally agrees to a change, ask for a new letter reflecting that change. What you have in writing supersedes verbal agreements.
- 3
  
  Write a formal letter accepting the job offer. Once you're happy with the job offer letter, write the company a letter formally stating that you accept the job. You may be required to fill out additional hiring paperwork, but all of that is pending your formal written acceptance. Include information about how to contact you, and feel free to reiterate the start date and salary.
- 4
  
  Inform other recruiters or companies that you've accepted a job offer and are no longer looking for a position. Thank them for their time and assistance. Try to avoid alienating recruiters or companies, because you may find yourself approaching them in the future regarding employment opportunities.
Sending Thank-You Notes
- 5
  
  A handwritten, mailed note is best for thanking recruiters.
  
  Thank your recruiter. A handwritten or typed and hand-signed note sent via regular mail is the most acceptable way to send a thank-you note. However, if you don't have a physical address for the recruiter, have never met with the recruiter in person and have conducted all your correspondence with a recruiter via email, an email note may be acceptable.
- 6
  
  Send individual thank-you notes. If more than one recruiter helped you get the job, thank each recruiter individually. Refrain from using boilerplate language; word each thank-you letter differently to make it a truly unique sign of appreciation. Recruiters may compare notes, and it can be embarrassing to have three recruiters find they have the exact same note.
- 7
  
  Consider a small gift. If you got a very lucrative job or contract, or if the recruiter spent a lot of time with you, you may want to send a small gift. Flowers, fruit baskets, chocolates or other small gifts are acceptable. Learn whether the recruiter has any allergies, and avoid these items. Try to send a gift proportional to the job or contract amount. A lucrative job warrants a small gift; an extremely lucrative job may warrant something bigger, such as a nice bottle of wine.