Announcing to a candidate that he or she has been accepted for the job should be done over the phone, followed by a written Employment Offer letter.
In general, the process consists of two parts:
- The employer invites the candidate to accept a job offer for a specific position.
- The employer gives the candidate time to evaluate the offer before accepting it.
This article reviews the conditions of the employment offer and provides two samples/templates for the same.
Conditional Offer of Employment
The offer is a conditional offer based on several aspects as follows:
- The offer may be a conditional employment offer upon receipt of references and/or passing a medical examination and/or accepting the job offer by a given date.
- “At-will employment”: Depending on the state’s law, this statement may provide the ability to end the employment at any time by the company.
The Employment Offer may provide the following details and terms and conditions:
- The job title, department, responsibilities, and reporting relationship.
- The salary.
- Start date.
- Hours of work.
- Sick leave, expenses, benefits, bonuses, and other rules.
- The period of notice required to end the contract.
Important notes:
- It is recommended, though, to replace the employment offer with a finalized, functional, and formal job contract before the hiring date.
- The employer may include statements that reverse the contract value of this employment offer until the employment start, and the job contract is signed.
Key Elements of an Employment Offer Letter:
Creating an Effective Employment Offer Letter
1. Position and Job Details:
Clearly state the job title, department/division, and reporting relationship to provide a comprehensive understanding of the position.
Include a brief description of the job responsibilities and the expected work schedule.
2. Conditional Offer and Terms:
Specify any conditions that need to be met before the offer becomes final, such as passing a medical examination or providing necessary documentation. Mention the nature of employment, emphasizing the “at-will” aspect if applicable.
3. Compensation and Benefits:
Outline the salary or hourly rate, payment frequency, and any deductions required by law or company policies. Discuss bonus or commission structures if applicable.
Detail the benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, vacation/sick leave, and any other perks.
4. Start Date and Work Hours:
Clearly mention the proposed start date for the employment. Specify the regular work hours or schedule the candidate will be expected to adhere to.
5. Notice Period and Termination:
Explain the period of notice required by both the employer and the employee to terminate the employment relationship.
Clarify the termination process and any legal or contractual obligations involved.
6. Acknowledgment and Agreement:
Include a section for the candidate to acknowledge and accept the offer. Request their signature and the date to indicate their agreement to the terms and conditions stated in the offer letter.
7. Finalizing the Job Contract:
Highlight that the employment offer letter serves as an initial agreement and that a more comprehensive and formal job contract will be provided before the start date.
Emphasize the importance of signing the job contract once it is presented.
8. Deadline for Response:
Specify a reasonable deadline for the candidate to respond to the offer letter.
This ensures that the hiring process moves forward promptly and provides a timeline for the candidate to make an informed decision.
Remember to personalize the offer letter for each candidate and tailor it to match your company’s policies, guidelines, and legal requirements.
The goal is to create a comprehensive and transparent document that serves as the basis for a successful employment relationship.
Sample Employment Offer Letters – Templates
Here are two templates:
1st sample
Dear [Candidate’s Name],
The [Company Name] is pleased to extend the following offer of employment to you.
Job title, department/division, and reporting relationship:
Job Description:
Work schedule:
Start Date:
This offer is contingent upon your passing our mandatory medical examination, which will be scheduled on [date], to determine your ability to perform the essential requirements of the [job position].
This assignment to work is contingent upon receiving your education transcripts by no later than [date].
The position is subjected to the following terms and conditions:
-
- Base Salary: Will be paid in monthly/bi-weekly installments of [x $], subject to deductions for taxes and withholdings as required by law and the company policies.
- Bonus/Commission: Effective upon completion of [x] days of employment, and based on the formula determined by the company.
- Benefits: Eligibility for benefits – [C, D, E]
- Stock Options:
- Vacation: [x] hours per day period, which is equivalent to [x] days on an annual basis.
- Sick leave:
- Expenses: Travel and car/phone expenses will be compensated per company policy on a monthly basis.
- Non-Compete Agreement: A non-compete agreement must be signed up prior to start.
- Car/Phone/Travel Expenses: Normal and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed on a monthly basis per company policy.
- Terminating employment: Employment is on an at-will basis. Both parties can terminate the relationship with a notice of [days] at any time (**).
You acknowledge that this offer letter, along with the final form of any referenced documents, represents the entire agreement between you and [Company Name].
If you agree with the above outline, please sign below. This offer is in effect for five business days.
Signature and date
2nd sample
Dear [Candidate’s Name],
This letter confirms our employment offer to you as a full-time [job title].
This offer is subjected to the following:
- Start date of employment: [date].
- Work schedule: [days of the week].
- The job description and responsibilities are as follows: [A, B, C].
- Your salary shall be $[amount]
- per week/month and is subjected to tax deductions and other withholding deductions as required by law.
- You will be eligible to receive the following benefits: [date and benefit].
In accepting our employment offer and until you sign the formal job contract, you certify that your employment has not entered into a contractual status.
Signature and date
Please return the signed original letter to my attention by no later than [date].