How to Respond to a Job Offer

You’ve applied and interviewed, investing hours of your life into the possibility of this new job. But how you respond to a job offer also requires patience and objectivity. Here are some tips on what to do and what to say in some common situations.

If you like the offer and want to accept it

Do it in writing. If you’ve already accepted over the phone, follow up with an email. In the email, confirm the details of the offer and note when you’ll start the job.

» MORE: When to quit your job

If you need time to think about it

Say this: “Thank you for the offer! I’d like to take some time to consider it. Can I get back to you in 24 hours?”

Make sure you know everything you need to know about the job. That includes:

• Compensation

• Health care benefits 

• Job responsibilities 

• Expected hours (including any overtime) 

• Critical skills

• Opportunities for advancement

• Relocation reimbursement if you have to move to take the job

Ask clarifying questions before you respond to the offer.

» MORE: 5 tactics to negotiate more vacation time

If you want the job but the offer needs to improve

Say this: “I’m thrilled. I’m ready to get started. Here are some things that will get me on board.”

If you decide to negotiate, go into it with a cooperative attitude, says Amy Yandell, a North Carolina-based career specialist with coaching firm Ama La Vida. She calls it a “yes and” approach.

“Negotiation doesn’t have to be adversarial,” she says.

It’s important to frame your terms as a statement, rather than a question, Yandell says. “It is an equal conversation back and forth. A question presumes there’s power in one side or another,” she says. “Most often, they’re coming at us with, ‘This is what we can offer you,’ so we want to return with the same style of conversation.”

If they can’t meet your terms

Say this: “Thank you for considering me for this role. I really appreciate you trying to meet my requirements and bring me on board. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to decline your job offer.”

If you’re turning down a job offer after negotiations over salary or other benefits, thank the company for trying to make the position work for you. Chances are, they’ll appreciate it, and it’ll leave you in good standing if you apply to another job at the company.

» MORE: How to decline a job offer you already accepted

If you just don’t want the job

Say this: “Thank you for considering me for this role. However, I’ve decided to accept a position with another company, and so I am declining your job offer.”

If you decide to turn down the job, keep your communication courteous and professional. You might decide to apply for another job at the same company in the future. If you want to provide a reason, you can, but you don’t need to include a lot of detail.

» MORE: Should you quit your job without another one lined up?