What is an offer letter?

After extending an initial verbal offer to your top candidate, it’s time to send an offer letter. Typically sent before contingencies like a background check, but before signing an official employment contract, an offer letter:

• Normally offers a position to a job applicant
• Summarizes the main terms and conditions of the offer
• Provides details about the role and company to help a candidate decide whether or not to accept the offer

If the candidate accepts your offer, they’ll sign the letter and return it to you. However, it’s important to understand that an offer letter is not always a legally binding employment agreement. This is typically a separate document that provides detailed legal protection for both parties. Even still, it’s a good idea to have a legal professional review your offer letter before sending it to a potential employee.

What is included in an offer letter?

An offer letter provides a brief overview of the position and company and includes specific job details, like start date, salary, work schedule and benefits. Since there isn’t a standard format for a job offer letter, you can reorder the elements described below to fit your company and the roles you’re hiring for.

Company logo

Use your company’s official letterhead with a high-resolution image of your company logo to convey professionalism and authenticity. This is a good way to encourage a potential employee to keep reading and seriously consider your offer.

Date and contact information

In the upper left-hand corner, include the date, the candidate’s first and last name and their address:

MM/DD/YYYY

Candidate First and Last Name
Candidate Address
City, State, Zip

Greeting / opening line

Start your offer letter with“Dear,” followed by the candidate’s first and last name. Congratulate them and express enthusiasm about offering them the job with a positive, upbeat opening line, like:

“We are excited to offer you a position at [Company Name]!”

You can make your opening line as formal or casual as you like, depending on your company culture.

Job details

Begin your letter with specifics about the position, as well as work logistics. This might include the formal title of the position, anticipated start date, employment classification (full- or part-time), office location, manager/supervisor and a brief description of the role and its responsibilities. This gives the candidate an idea of what to expect and helps clarify any details that may have been misunderstood or overlooked during the interview process.

Contingencies

If the job offer is contingent upon the candidate completing certain documents or performing certain tasks, mention this in the offer letter. These contingencies might include a background check, drug test, I-9 form, signed confidentiality agreement or reference checks.

Compensation

Clearly explain the compensation package you’re offering. Include specific details about how much the candidate will be making on an annual or hourly basis, how often they will get paid and available payment methods. You can also touch on equity, bonuses, commission structures, etc. — if applicable to the role.

At-will status

Include an at-will statement. Every state (except Montana) is an at-will state, meaning that both the company and its employees can terminate employment at any time for any reason. For help determining what language you should use when describing an employee’s at-will status, consult a legal professional.

Benefits

To encourage a candidate to accept your job offer, briefly summarize the key benefits your company offers. Avoid including too many details, since this is better suited for an orientation package or employee handbook. In the offer letter, you might briefly mention attractive benefits, such as:

• Insurance coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off
• Flexible spending accounts
• Educational assistance
• Flexible work hours
• Work from home options

Expiration date

When wrapping up your letter, decide if you want to put an expiration date on your offer. A hard deadline will save you from losing other qualified candidates if the prospective employee decides to decline your offer. If you choose to include a deadline, consider giving the candidate at least one week to make an informed decision.

Closing

End your offer letter by expressing excitement about welcoming the candidate to the team. Provide contact information in case they have questions, and include a line for the candidate to sign and date the offer if they choose to accept.

Disclaimer

Consider including a brief disclaimer to explain that the letter is informational and not a legally binding contract or agreement. Consult a lawyer to avoid using language that carries contractual implications.

Job offer letter template

[Company Logo]

MM/DD/YYYY

Candidate First and Last Name
Candidate Address
City, State, Zip

Dear [Candidate Name],

We are pleased to offer you the [full-time, part-time, etc.] position of [job title] at [company name] with a start date of [start date], contingent upon [background check, I-9 form, etc.]. You will be reporting directly to [manager/supervisor name] at [workplace location]. We believe your skills and experience are an excellent match for our company.

In this role, you will be required to [briefly mention relevant job duties and responsibilities].

The annual starting salary for this position is [dollar amount] to be paid on a [monthly, semi-monthly, weekly, etc.] basis by [direct deposit, check, etc.], starting on [first pay period]. In addition to this starting salary, we’re offering you [discuss stock options, bonuses, commission structures, etc. — if applicable].

Your employment with [Company Name] will be on an at-will basis, which means you and the company are free to terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason. This letter is not a contract or guarantee of employment for a definitive period of time.

As an employee of [Company Name], you are also eligible for our benefits program, which includes [medical insurance, 401(k), vacation time, etc.], and other benefits which will be described in more detail in the [employee handbook, orientation package, etc.].

Please confirm your acceptance of this offer by signing and returning this letter by [offer expiration date].

We are excited to have you join our team! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at any time.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]

[Your Printed Name]
[Your Job Title]

Signature: ______________________________
Printed Name: ___________________________
Date: __________________________________

Job offer letter template for PDF & Word

Check out our job offer letter template to help you write an offer letter that gets accepted.

*Indeed provides these examples as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your HR or legal adviser, and none of these documents reflect current labor or employment regulations.

Brendan Sullivan is an Indeed recruiter based in Austin, TX with 4+ years of experience. You can usually find him enjoying one of the several amazing coffee shops in Austin or organizing his record collection.