You have a job offer – time to celebrate! But before you plan your leaving party, here are five actions you should take to ensure that your transition goes as smoothly as possible. 

This is the final part of our three-part series on navigating recruitment, from surviving the interview to what to do once you’ve got the job offer.

Part three gives you all the steps you need to take once you’ve been offered the job. At the end of the article, you’ll find a handy email template to use.

Part 1: How to prepare for an interview

Part 2: How to prepare for a remote interview

1.

Make sure you have all you need

Your job offer should include the following

• Salary, including details of your benefits, holiday, bonus pay guidelines, pension and medical cover,

• Work terms, including core hours of work, whether remote working will be necessary, and whether you will be given a separate phone and computers while working remotely,

• Start date, and

• Terms and conditions, including a deadline for your response, and what (if any) supporting documents you need to send them.

If your offer doesn’t include any one of these items, speak to your potential employer.

2.

Make sure you match their communication – and be enthusiastic about it

If the offer comes to you by email, respond to it by email. If you get a phone call, remember your reactions on the phone will be assessed. Saying that you’ll ‘think about it’ may be misinterpreted as lack of enthusiasm. An offer is an invitation to accept, so try to be gracious.

3.

If you have questions, now’s the time to ask

If you have any reservations or queries, then do voice them. You should have total clarity on the details in the offer package. If you have a recruitment advisor, they will handle such questions for you on your behalf.

4.

Avoid starting on the wrong foot

Sometimes deliberating over the little details at the offer stage can make you lose sight of the end goal. Remember how far you have come and how much you impressed them during the interview rounds. Don’t ruin all your hard work. A few no-nos:

• Renegotiating start date: You should have already alerted your recruiter to upcoming booked holidays – so make sure that you don’t come up with any surprises that could delay your start date. You should have also read your current contract to check the period of notice you need to leave. 

• Renegotiating salary: If you were already aware of the new role’s salary and they offer it to you, then if you haven’t discussed changing it before the offer, it is bad form to ask for more money.

5.

Let your current employer know that you will be leaving

Check your current contract for resignation terms, and only resign once you have signed the contract and returned it to your new employer. Then speak to your line manager; you may also need to tell your HR department.

Part 1: How to prepare for an interview

Part 2: How to prepare for a remote interview

How to formally accept a job offer [Email template]

Dear Jennifer,

I was delighted to receive your offer of employment and would love to accept. The role is exactly what I was hoping for, and you have given me a very thorough understanding of the business throughout the interview process and conversations with the wider team. I am excited to be joining you.

I confirm that, further to our conversation, I will be resigning and giving one month’s notice to my present employer this afternoon. I expect to be able to start with you in one calendar month. 

I have no holidays booked for this year and, as we discussed, I have only one trip planned for next year (7-14 February).

I note that the offer is subject to references. As discussed, I attach the contact details for my referees. With regards to my current employer, I will be happy to connect you after I have resigned.

If there is anything else you require, please don’t hesitate to contact me. 

Best wishes,

Robert

[Always provide your signature and contact details in full!]

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