How to offer someone a job over the phone: 5 tips for success
The way you offer a job sets the tone for future interactions with a new hire. Before you contact the candidate, check out these tips on how to verbally offer someone a job successfully.
1. Explain why you’re calling
As soon as you greet the candidate, let them know you’re calling with a job offer. This puts them in a positive frame of mind, making them more receptive to what you have to say.
2. Show enthusiasm
Before you provide more details about salary and start date, take a minute to let the candidate know why you selected them for the role. This can help the candidate feel valued and confident in their decision, reinforcing their strengths and making the job offer more meaningful.
If you conducted a panel interview during your hiring process, share feedback from participants. The candidate should end the call feeling confident in their ability to contribute to your organization.
3. Share salary and benefits information
When discussing salary and benefits, provide as many details as clearly as possible. Explain to candidates the different types of pay offered, including base wages plus any type of bonus. You may also use this time to highlight extra perks like employee assistance programs (EAPs), education reimbursement or commuter benefits.
4. Set clear expectations
Give candidates time to consider your offer, but set a deadline for their decision. A timely response helps you prepare for onboarding, such as ordering equipment and scheduling training. If they accept immediately, confirm their start date, time and location. Keeping expectations clear ensures a smooth transition for both you and the new hire.
5. Leave time for questions
To ensure a candidate has the information they need to make a decision, leave plenty of time for questions about job duties, benefits and other topics at the end of the call. Let them know you’re available via email if they think of additional questions after the call. You can also inform them that you plan to send a formal offer via email for approval.
Script for offering a job over the phone
Consider this script to make a positive impression on candidates:
Employer/Hiring Manager: “Hi [Candidate name]! This is Charlotte Burt from Northern Canal Medical Center. Can you let me know if this is a good time to talk?”
[Candidate response]
Employer/Hiring Manager: “Great! We’d like to offer you the [Position Title] job. We were impressed with the writing sample you provided during the interview process. Bernard Smith also mentioned that you demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the AIDA copywriting method.”
[Candidate response]
Employer/Hiring Manager: “As we spoke about during the interview, this job is in our [location] office. The work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5pm. We can offer a base salary of [salary] per year with a quarterly bonus based on net sales in your department. Northern Canal Medical Center also offers medical, dental and vision insurance and reimbursement of up to $2,500 in continuing education expenses per year.”
[Candidate response]
Employer/Hiring Manager: “We’re happy to give you some time to consider this offer, but I’ll need a response by [time] on [date].”
[Candidate response]
Employer/Hiring Manager: “Do you have any questions for me?”
[Candidate response]
Employer/Hiring Manager: “It’s been a pleasure speaking with you. I look forward to hearing your response by [reiterate the deadline]. Please contact me via email if you think of any additional questions before then. I’ll email an official by the end of the day, which will need a signature.”
