140
Curious about job offers...
I've seen things written that say you shouldn't accept an offer unless it's in writing. Is this always true?
(I've been at my job so long and it was a verbal offer way back then....I know things have changed.)
If a company won't provide an offer in writing, is there any middle ground to be found - or is it not worth accepting?
Danielle
491
01/10/22 at 5:12PM UTC
If a company won’t provide a written offer, run…fast. I left a management position last summer for a verbal offer in management. Day one they promised a certain pay…day 4 they changed it. I lasted two paychecks. The written offer is to protect both of you. Also, an offer clearly lays out your position. Not only was the pay wrong, I ended up being a salaried lower level associate.
Anonymous
01/06/22 at 8:45AM UTC
When you don't sign a written offer, the company can always come back and resend the offer. They can also change the terms of your offer if nothing is in writing.
TKMarketing Technology Leader
273
01/06/22 at 2:47AM UTC
i certainly won't give notice at a current job until i get an offer in writing PLUS background check approval. depending on what state you're in, they can also retract a verbal or written offer. so having something in writing is always best.
Antonia Calzetti
1.02k
01/05/22 at 2:17PM UTC
Always tells them you're verbally accepting the offer contingent on receiving and agreeing to the formal offer.
Anonymous
01/05/22 at 2:35AM UTC
Our company makes verbal offers followed by written ones. I think that makes sense because technically offers can be rescinded even after being written. The verbal is just a nice conversation to gauge reaction and sometimes a chance to negotiate terms that are followed by the definitive details in the written offer.
If you get a verbal offer, I think you can always say yes (assuming you want to accept), but I'd like to see the full offer in writing please.
Anonymous
01/05/22 at 12:48AM UTC
Get it in writing. Just makes sense for everyone. Why not put it in writing!?!
Anonymous
01/04/22 at 7:27PM UTC
Ask yourself why? If they stand by their negotiated terms and are reputable what would be the issue?
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.99k
01/04/22 at 7:18PM UTC
I've been a recruiter for over 20 years and verbal/written offers are not an either/or thing. They are an AND thing.
When a company decides they want to hire you, typically the recruiter will extend a verbal offer to you - THIS IS THE TIME TO CONDUCT ANY COMP NEGOTIATIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE IN MIND - and you'll discuss a potential start date. Both of these pieces of information will go into the formal written offer letter.
Once you and the recruiter have come to an agreement on comp and start date, the written offer will be generated. These typically have to be signed off on by leadership so we want to make sure all the details are ironed out before that is generated.
On the ATS system I'm working on, these days the written offer comes as a link you click to follow back to my ATS and you click a box to accept. You can then download a copy of the offer letter.
If a company will not provide a written offer letter after the verbal, RUN. Run as far and as fast as you can. If they're not willing to put it in writing, chances are very good that they are lying to you.
JenSenior Account Manager
140
01/04/22 at 8:30PM UTC
Thank you! This is helpful information. As I said, back in the old days, verbal offers weren't unusual and I started a couple of jobs based on verbal only. But I did turn down an offer several years ago from a smaller company who would not put it in writing. I just got a bad feeling about it. I think I would feel the same way now, but just wasn't sure how it's perceived these days.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.99k
01/04/22 at 8:41PM UTC
In all my years of recruiting, I've never worked for or with a company/client who did not generate a written offer letter after the verbal had been accepted by the candidate.
