How to accept a job offer: confirm the details, then say yes in writing.
Saying yes is the easy part. The mistakes happen when people accept a verbal offer before seeing the written terms, or resign before everything is confirmed. Here is the order to do it in.
Accept a job offer in two steps: first, get the offer in writing and confirm the title, pay, start date, location or remote terms and any conditions such as background checks. Then reply with a short acceptance email that thanks them, restates the key terms and confirms your start date. Only resign from your current job once the written offer is accepted.
3 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you send anything.
Acceptance email (standard)
When to use: When everything in the written offer is right.
Subject: Offer acceptance, [Your name] Hi [Name], Thank you for the offer for the [Role] position. I'm delighted to accept. As discussed, my starting salary will be [amount] and my start date will be [date]. Please let me know what you need from me before then. I'm looking forward to joining the team. Best regards, [Your name]
Accept after negotiating
When to use: When the final terms changed during negotiation; restate them so there is a written record.
Subject: Accepting the revised offer Hi [Name], Thank you for working with me on the offer. I'm happy to accept the [Role] position at a base salary of [amount], with [other agreed term, e.g. a sign-on bonus or extra leave], starting [date]. I look forward to receiving the updated offer letter. Best, [Your name]
Verbal yes, waiting for paperwork
When to use: When the offer was made by phone.
Hi [Name], thank you again for the call today. I'm excited about the offer and will be ready to accept as soon as I receive the written details. Could you send them over when they're ready? Thanks, [Your name]
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every template on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Before you accept: checklist
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Written offer received | Never resign on a verbal offer alone. |
| Title, pay and bonus match what was discussed | Ask for corrections before signing. |
| Start date and notice period work | Check your current notice obligations. |
| Conditions are clear | Background check, references, licences, right to work. |
| Benefits start date and remote or office terms | Ask HR if they are not in the letter. |
The same message, rewritten
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | Yes! I accept, when do I start? |
| Strong | I'm delighted to accept the offer for the Project Coordinator role, with a starting salary of $62,000 and a start date of 3 June. Please let me know what you need from me before then. |
Why it matters: The weak reply leaves the terms unrecorded. The strong one creates a simple written record of what you agreed, which protects both sides.
Mistakes to avoid
- Resigning before the written offer is accepted.
- Accepting before you have negotiated, if you planned to.
- Not restating the agreed terms.
- Forgetting to withdraw from other processes after you accept.
Write yours faster
Questions people ask
Should I accept a job offer by phone or email?
How long can I take to accept a job offer?
Should I negotiate before accepting?
When should I resign from my current job?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The templates and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates or success rates, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer or recruiter will respond: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, severance releases or disputes, talk to an employment attorney or the relevant agency.
- Outcomes: no message, template or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.