AUTHOR: David M. Young
You have interviewed, and possibly had one or several meetings with your prospective employer. In some cases you have been waiting for a response or for the job offer. In other cases you may have more questions that need answers and you are not expecting a job offer. But despite the circumstance, at some point in the process, you will receive the job offer.
Most often, we see a company make a verbal offer to their prospective employee. Many times this is phrased as “ if we were to offer you XXXX, would you be interested.” In this case, this is a “soft” offer by the company and not a formal offer of employment. They are opening the door to make sure you would be interested. This is the appropriate time for you to ask any and all employment questions. Benefit information, vacation, work environment, hours, title, start date and any other pertinent information you would want in order to either finalize your decision, or to allow you to plan should be asked. If this has all been covered, you can simply state that yes, you would be interested. But if that is the case, follow up with a question of” what are the next steps so that a formal offer of employment can be made?” This confirms that it is not the formal offer, and allows the company to tell you what may be remaining in their process.
On the other hand, we have seen organizations make a verbal offer. “We’d like to extend you an offer of XXXX with a target start date of XXXX pending our background and on boarding process”. In this case, what do you do? The key is that you nor the company want any surprises. We will discuss how to handle resigning and closing out your previous position and employment in a subsequent post. It is appropriate for you to express your excitement, and even if you’re not excited, it is appropriate for you to be professional. This may seem strange, but I would encourage you to respond with “ that is great. I am very intrigued, but if at all possible, could I have some time so I can discuss this with my (fill in the blank…”significant other”, spouse, ) or if single, …”could I have some time to review this so that when I give you my acceptance I have made sure I have left no stone unturned for any questions I may have.” Again, make sure you are professional.
This is now the time to negotiate. You never know unless you ask, so ask. Ask for whatever might be lacking. Don’t automatically ask for a higher compensation. If it has never been discussed, then this is appropriate, but if already discussed, don’t keep revisiting questions. Now is the time to negotiate for vacation, benefits, compensation, or whatever else you would like. Again, the worst case is they can say no. But be reasonable. If you are unreasonable, the company could politely “pull” the offer. Parking allowances, cell phone reimbursement, or other possible company policy questions are also appropriate. If you don’t ask, then assume it is not part of the offer.
If all questions have been answered and you don’t need any extra time, then don’t just say “Yes”. This is a formal process. Respond with “ that is fantastic and I am very excited. I would love to accept. In order to finalize all the details, when can you provide me with a written offer so I can make sure I have everything written down in front of me and there are not any other questions I may have, or that you may have for me?”
The point here, is you need a written offer. Before you resign your current position, have a written offer. This is not a formal contract in the state of Texas, but rather it ensures that any and all internal approvals have been completed for the company’s process and that everything is in order. Oftentimes in a written offer, the company will designate a start date, and possibly could even designate a timeframe that you must sign the offer and return to them or the offer will no longer be valid.
I have seen company’s extend a verbal offer, and then have to put the position on hold. I have seen company’s extend an offer, or discuss a “possible” offer, and decide for some reason or another to “go in a different direction”. Is that ethical? Should that happen? Of course not, but as the future employee, you need to make sure all is in order to protect yourself.
But, when you say Yes, you should mean it. Just as the company should provide a formal offer, when you give the company a verbal acceptance, your response should matter. I have many times seen a candidate say yes, but continue to interview. Why interview when you have said yes. You can very quickly burn bridges and soil your reputation if you do this. If you have already scheduled other interviews, then cancel them. If you still want to attend those interviews, then do not say “Yes”. Rather tell the company what is going on. If you can’t be truthful in the interview process, how will you be able to work for the company. When you say yes, confirm starting day procedures, timing, and who to ask for when you arrive. And let them know you are excited and look forward to seeing them on that first day.
Bottom line, expect the offer from a company to be solid, but wait to take any action on your end until you have a formal written offer (or this could be via email). And from your side of this discussion…let your “Yes” be a solid yes, don’t say yes while you look for something else.
Now what if you are not interested? You have asked for a higher salary, maybe more vacation…whatever it was, the company has responded and you are not interested. When the company responds, politely ask for time to think about it. Don’t say no immediately. Again, be professional. Trust your gut on how to respond. Either make a phone call, or you can send an email. Simply respond to the company with a polite “thank you very much. I have thought about this offer and while I am enthusiastic about the direction of your organization and this opportunity, after further reflection and personal review, I am going to decline this offer.” If you are comfortable with doing so, personalize this with the reason. You need more compensation, you are seeking more responsibility than what this position is offering based upon your understanding from the interviews, etc… But if not comfortable with more details, just simply say thank you and you are declining the offer and removing yourself from their consideration. Be polite, be professional. The company would rather know at the offer that you are not interested, then bring you on and find out in a few months. And for your sake, you should want this as well. But, don’t say “No”, and then have second thoughts. Just as you should let your Yes be a solid Yes, let your No be a solid No.
If handled appropriately, you have expanded your professional network and have learned much about another organization. Just remember, a phone call with an offer is the first step in finalizing the offer, get a formal written offer, and respond with a formal written response.
pond with a formal written response.
The Job 