Finally received that job offer you were waiting on? First things first, congratulations on getting the job. But now it’s time to send your response.

Whether you’re ready to accept the job offer, or you no longer want the role and need to know how to decline it, this guide can help. Start crafting your perfect job offer response with Adobe Express today.

What is a job offer and what should it include?

A job offer is an invitation from a company, hiring manager or recruiter inviting you to work in a certain role. A job offer can be made in a few ways including via email or a telephone call. But you should always expect to receive the official documentation for a job offer in writing, either via email or a letter sent to your home address.

Your offer letter should include key information regarding the role, such as:

• The position title
• A job description and overview of your key responsibilities
• Salary
• Benefits, such as annual leave allowance
• The days and hours you will be working
• The location of your office, or if it’s remote
• The name of your new manager
• Your start date

Received an offer? Read on to discover how to accept a job offer or respond to one if you plan on rejecting it.

How to respond to a job offer email.

Responding to a job offer email can sometimes be daunting. You may feel a wave of emotions, from excited to nervous. This is normal. But how you respond to a job offer email can tell a recruiter a lot about you. So, here are some tips to consider when replying.

1. Make sure you understand the offer.

Before you accept or decline a job offer, really consider what’s being offered to you. Make sure it aligns with your goals, both career-wise and personal. You might ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the role in line with your career progression?
• Is it less pay than your current job?
• Will you be expected to relocate or work away from home?
• What are the hours like?
• Is it remote, hybrid or in-office?
• Does the start date align with your notice period?

2. Take time to consider your decision.

You don’t need to rush your decision. While you should aim to respond within 24 hours of getting an offer, it’s a big decision. You could message the recruiter thanking them for the offer and let them know you’re taking some time to consider your options. They’ll inform you if there’s a more pressing deadline for confirmation.

3. Negotiate the terms.

Negotiating the terms can be one of the more difficult parts of responding to a job offer. But as the saying goes: if you don’t ask, you’ll never get. Things you may choose to negotiate include:

• Salary: If there’s a salary bracket on the job description and you get offered the lower end, you might want to pitch a higher figure along with the reasons why you think you’re worth more than the initial offer.
• Workplace: If it’s an office job, you could ask about hybrid opportunities. But keep in mind there may be reasons why you’re needed in the office full time.
• Flexi-hours: Need to organise the school run and pick-up? Interested in condensing your hours to do a five-day week in four days? Be sure to get these in place before you start if it’s something you need.

4. Respond with your final decision.

Once you’ve done your negotiating (if it’s needed), you can then respond with your final decision. How you respond to a job offer will usually follow a similar structure regardless of whether you’re accepting the offer, or declining.

1. Start by expressing thanks: “Thank you for the time to consider the position. I really appreciate this opportunity [and would love to accept] [but unfortunately, I’d like to respectfully decline].
2. Then provide more detail: [I’m very excited to join the team and wider business] or [After careful consideration, I have accepted an offer elsewhere that is better suited to my needs and goals].
3. Close with confirmation: [I look forward to starting] or [I wish you and your team success for the future. Thank you again for the opportunity].

Example of how to accept a job offer via email.

When you accept a job offer, it can help to show your appreciation and enthusiasm. This will highlight to the company that you’re keen to get started and join a new team. Below is a full example of how to accept a job offer via email.

Hello [manager/recruiter’s name],

I would like to thank you for the offer and will gladly accept the position of [job title] at [company].

I’m looking forward to joining the team and contributing to its successes—so thank you for this opportunity.

Can I just confirm a few things before I get started: The salary is [amount here], I’ll be eligible for [number of days of leave] and my start date will be [date here]?

Please let me know if there is anything I need to prepare for before I start.

Thank you again for this opportunity.

Kind regards,

[Your name]

[Contact details]

Editable letter examples for accepting a job offer.

Example of how to decline a job offer by email.

When it comes to declining a job offer, you may feel uncomfortable. But remember that you’re probably not the only person who interviewed for the job. You should politely decline, show appreciation and wish them well.

Declining while remaining professional can help in case you want to apply for a job at the company in the future, or build your network in the industry. Below is an example of how to decline a job offer by email.

Hello [recruiter’s name],

I would like to thank you for the offer. However, on this occasion, I will be declining the position of [job title] at [company].

While I admire the company and the team, I’m looking for something that aligns better with my goals and personal development at this point in my career. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to seeing the team continue its success.

It was wonderful speaking with you, and I appreciate the time and effort you went through.

Please let me know if there is anything further you require from me.

Thank you again.

Kind regards,

[Your name]

[Contact details]

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Good to know.

How do you politely respond to a job offer?

Start your job offer response by saying thank you to the hiring manager, and then state whether you wish to accept or decline the offer.

“Thank you for this opportunity, I look forward to starting and joining the team.”

OR

“Thank you for this opportunity, but I have decided to decline the offer.”

If you’re declining the offer, you should follow with: “I appreciate you taking the time and effort to consider my application. But after careful consideration, I feel the role doesn’t align with my current career goals.” It’s important to be honest and clear with the company.

How soon should you reply to a job offer by email?

You should aim to respond to a job offer within 24 hours. If you need more time to decide, let the hiring manager know. You can ask for some time to consider the offer. They many come back and ask you to respond by a certain date and time.

How should you address someone in a job offer acceptance email?

You should use the name they sign off their emails with. If it’s an abbreviation, such as ‘Jeff’ instead of Jeffrey, you can use Jeff as that appears to be their preferred name.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 2GB of storage. See our  pricing page for details and to compare plans.