Is it standard to not receive a written offer letter until you’ve accepted the job?
I’m still relatively new to the career world, so I’m still figuring out best practices on my end and from companies. In the past, I remember being told to always get an offer letter in writing before accepting. However, when I recently tried that, I was told that it wasn’t standard to receive a written offer until after I accepted. Is that typically the case? Maybe for legal reasons of some sort? To me it sounds like: “We’re offering you the job. Take it or leave it, no questions asked.” What if I say yes, then there are terms in the offer letter that I’m not okay with? I would then look like the bad gal for wasting someone’s time if I back out, right? The only information I was given was the salary and start date.
Anonymous
09/25/24 at 3:38AM UTC
Hi all,
Original poster here. Thank you so much for your feedback! I recently started a blog and am currently doing a series on boundaries and burnout. Post three of the ten-part series is about using the interview process to screen employers. I drew from various experiences, including the one I shared here years ago. There were some red flags that I’m glad I dodged. I would love it if you could check out the post here: https://bkthecreative.com/2024/09/24/interview-smarter-how-to-screen-employers-for-work-life-fit/
Healthcare worker
725
09/13/21 at 1:27PM UTC
That is not typical practice they are taking advantage of your newness to the process and trying to get you to agree prior to knowing what you are agreeing to. It would be like signing a lease before knowing what the rent is. Run this company sounds sketch, I understand you are new to professional settings and nervous but they are playing you on that. Know your worth, boundaries, and professional practices expected both from yourself and your employer starting out and you will have a much better time of it throughout your career.
Healthcare worker
725
09/13/21 at 1:33PM UTC
The other thing you can do is give a verbal commitment but stipulate that it is pending the entire compensation package including benefits.
Anonymous
09/13/21 at 1:56AM UTC
To play the devil's advocate, I was given a verbal offer with a company which I accepted and was really excited about, and waited for the official written letter which I never received. I kept trying to contact the HR person, who I thought we had a great relationship, via email and leaving voicemails. All I was hearing were crickets, then finally I got a call from her, after about 2 weeks. She then told me the offer had been rescinded without explanation. I asked why and she said she would try to find out why and never heard from her. So now if I get a verbal offer, I will make it clear that I will be expecting a written letter to confirm the job offer. Once burned, twice shy...
Jacalyn Staten
479
09/12/21 at 9:55PM UTC
Congratulations on receiving an offer of employment! First comes the verbal offer whereby they should tell you the compensation and start date. Your verbal affirmation is not binding. Ask them at that time to send with the written offer the additional information you might need to consider the offer thoughtfully. You might need the bonus structure or benefits package. The written offer will come with a time frame in which to accept the offer so make sure you contact HR right away if you need changes made to the offer letter.
Come back and let us know how this job offer work out. Be blessed.
Anonymous
08/28/24 at 4:19AM UTC
Hi Jacalyn,
Original poster here. Thank you for commenting, and I appreciate the insight. I expressed that I was highly interested and asked for additional information to consider the offer thoughtfully. The company wouldn't discuss anything further until I gave a definite yes. To me, it seemed like a waste of time to say yes if I disagreed with PTO and other benefits, which we had discussed generally but not in detail. I declined the offer because there had been some other red flags as well. The hiring manager then told me I wasted her time and it wasn't a good look for me professionally. Needless to say, I dodged a bullet and was offered something better a few months later.
GingerintheKitchenLiquidation and Preservation Professional
153
09/12/21 at 5:17PM UTC
First is verbal offer /acceptance, then comes written offer letter outlining full terms, which will. Usually this will also be non binding until certain agreements are signed but if that is the case it will state it in the official offer letter. So yes, that is how it works. Hiring manager contacts you via phone with the official offer, once you verbally accept they send the written usually later that same day, because they most likely have at least two people in case the first declined the verbal, they will then call the next person and once they have acceptance they send the formal written offer
Marissa
117
09/12/21 at 5:11PM UTC
I've always gotten the verbal question and then the letter. But with that, ask about the details like benefits, pay, hours, etc. before you say yes. Offer letters don't always give that much information or insight... You get a lot of that info on your 1st and 2nd days after you start (unless you ask the details).
If you have to resend an offer after you've accepted it, because of lack of information, that is really their own fault; it doesn't make you a bad person.
Stephanie F, MSHRMAssistant Director of HR
540
09/12/21 at 5:09PM UTC
It depends on the companies onboarding process.
For ours, you receive a conditional offer letter outlining the details, including a contingent start date that is subject to change, salary, and it states an official offer letter will be issued upon pre-employment requirements clearing. Pre-employment includes a background check, etc. An important part of that letter is that it also states to NOT resign from your current position until the official offer letter is received and accepted.
We require a written acceptance of this so that we can initiate the background check.
Anonymous
09/12/21 at 2PM UTC
It’s common to ask for a verbal acceptance but they should outline what the offer will be. Formal offer approval and paperwork generation can be a long process in some companies so they may want to know when you receive the written offer that you will be happy with what you see and accept. You can ask for them to email you the salary package. A verbal acceptance is not binding. If you verbally accept an offer and then find for some reason you cannot agree to the written offer then that’s the end of it. Just make sure you have an executed employment letter in hand before you resign if you are currently working.
GingerintheKitchenLiquidation and Preservation Professional
153
09/12/21 at 5:18PM UTC
Exactly this. You don't need a formal letter to accept, but you should have one prior to leaving your current position
JYJ
6.75k
09/12/21 at 1:40PM UTC
I've had it happen both ways where I either accepted verbally, and then received the formal offer in writing. Or, I didn't accept until I received the offer in writing because I wanted every detail we discussed-bonus, raises, benefits outlined in black in white. I would be very skeptical of a company that didn't want to put an offer in writing.
Debra SesholtzMarketing strategist driving results
854
09/12/21 at 12:46PM UTC
Agree with Lisa. Typically a verbal response is needed before all the paperwork is generated. If you are not interested in accepting the role, there is no need for them to generate the paperwork. If you were only given a start date and salary and do not have all the info you need to make a decision - benefits, PTO, etc. - you should ask for more info so you can make a decision. Even when you receive the paperwork, until you sign it, you have not officially accepted the role. If you want the role, you should negotiate in good faith and get all the information you need to make your decision. They should not have a problem getting you the info you need if they want to hire you.
