Careers 101: How to accept a job offer

"Do you wanna dance?"🕺💃 Such a simple question can make your heart leap and your palms sweaty. Getting that job offer you wanted is pretty similar. Unless you're answering your dance partners on paper, accepting a job offer may be a bit different. But, like dancing, learning how to accept a job offer requires knowing the right steps. Even if it's your first dance, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn about types of job offers, what to do if you get a job offer, and how to negotiate before accepting. 

What is a formal job offer?

A formal job offer happens when an employer officially invites you to work for them. Typically, this will include specific details about the job for which you've applied. You can expect to see these things:

• Job description: The formal job offer should contain a detailed description of the job you're being hired to do. This should include a list of duties and responsibilities associated with the position. 

• Pay and benefits info: The job offer should also include specific numbers, so you know how much you will be paid and how often. Pay is usually broken down by the hour or by the year, so you might see a number like $11.75 per hour or $50,000 per year. The offer should also explain what benefits will be offered as part of your compensation. Benefits include things like health insurance, employee discounts, and retirement plans paid for by the employer. Most hourly jobs won't offer benefits like health insurance, but you never know! 

• Employee status: The offer should also clearly spell out your status as either a full-time, part-time, or temporary employee. Companies must legally offer various benefits to full-time workers, but part-time employees may not see the same benefits package. The job offer may also detail your work schedule, but this depends on the nature of your new job. 

• Start date: You will also likely see a start date on your offer. That's because the day you start is important, not only for you to start earning cash but also so your employer remains in compliance with all the tax forms they have to submit. 

Conversation or contract? 

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Formal job offers can be made verbally or in written form. So, a formal job offer you receive over the phone is as valid as one you see in writing. Even so, it's usually best to get everything in writing. While an offer made over a phone call is binding, it's a good idea to get a written agreement as well. That's because people may misremember or misunderstand the terms of an offer made over the phone, while an offer signed by both parties gives black-and-white clarity. 

What you should do if you receive an offer 

Read. Read. Read again. Before you sign any contract or accept any offer, be sure you have thoroughly read the terms of the agreement. If you expected $20 per hour but signed on for $10 because you didn't read the agreement, that first paycheck would be pretty disappointing. 

Request time from the employer to consider the offer. This is a pretty normal thing, so your employer should be fine giving you a day or two to think it over. Just don't stretch it out too long!

Relay the offer to family members or trusted advisors. Lean on somebody with experience in the working world so you don't make a poor choice. 

Time to tango: Negotiating your offer 

Negotiating a job offer is your chance to tango. In this section, you can learn some quick tips to help you bargain for better pay or benefits. 

Research

Start by researching what comparable jobs pay in your area. It's important to make sure you're measuring apples for apples. For instance, if you're considering an offer to be a barista in Boise, you wouldn't compare salaries with that of a butcher in Boston. You can search job sites such as Indeed to get a sense of comparable jobs in your area. For instance, a barista in St. Louis can expect to make an average base salary of $14 per hour. Some may be as low as $10 or as high as $20. 

Rehearse

Negotiating a job offer may be an easy Texas two-step for you, but for most people, it can bring anxiety. Preparing and rehearsing your negotiation is a great way to steady the nerves. If you plan to respond via email, write a draft and have family and trusted advisors read and edit. If you hope to negotiate in person, prepare a script detailing your counteroffer. What value can you contribute that may not have been mentioned before? What do other jobs in the area pay? Consider these sorts of questions as you compose your script. Remember to be respectful and professional!

Saying "Yes!"

Landing your first job is one of life's milestones. Accepting the job offer isn't too complicated. You just say "yes". More specifically, you should respond to the employer in the same way they reached out to you unless they have given you other instructions. So, if you're calling to accept the job, speak clearly, and be sure to have the employer restate the terms of employment before you verbally accept. This can cut down on confusion and conflict.

Keep pace

When you receive the job offer, it's best to ask for a day or two to think it over. This gives you time to process, research comparable jobs, and receive any other offers before making your final decision. Try not to leave your potential employer waiting for more than three business days; otherwise, you may appear uninterested or unprofessional. 

Still standing in the corner? 

If you still haven't landed the job offer you're looking for, this section offers some helpful tips to get you on your feet.

Top 5 steps to secure a job offer

1. Determine your own skill set. This step starts in the mirror. What are you good at? What do you like doing? What work experience do you have? Knowing your strengths and qualifications will help you find the best fit. 

2. Decide what you want to do. Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you want to do it professionally. You may not be in your chosen career immediately, but knowing what you want to do can help you chart your long-term course. If you're having trouble getting started, check out these resources to help you find the best fit for you. 

3. Develop a plan of action. Use job sites, local listings, or a newspaper (if you're old school) to see what jobs are available in your area. Weed out the jobs for which you're unqualified or uninterested. Once you have a grouping of 5-10 openings, rank them in order of fit and preference. 

4. Detail your skills and experience in your resume. Once you've determined your qualifications, you can craft a resume that shows you have the skills that employers in your desired field are after. Carefully read the job listings and build your resume so potential employers can see that you've got all the right stuff. 

5. Decipher which one is right for you. Remember that the job search and interview process is a two-way street. Throughout the process, you should try to get a sense of which position is best for you. 

Learn the right moves🕺

When the right job offer comes, you'll be ready to step out of the shadows and onto the dance floor. We’ve discussed what details you should expect to see in a job offer, how to best negotiate, and how to accept a job offer in a timely manner. If you want to learn some new moves, check out the wide array of articles on Greenlight Learning Center, which can help you get in the groove. 

After you land that job and you're dancing your way down to the bank, you'll need a debit card to make spending safe and simple. Check out Greenlight's debit card today!