Career Services Office
Receiving a Job Offer
You may suspect in advance that you will likely be offered the job-perhaps it was intimated during an interview that you were the favored candidate, or you've heard from a colleague who was contacted as a reference. Sometimes a position will even be offered during an interview. But most job offers are delivered verbally, through a phone call placed by the chair of the search committee.
When an offer is extended via telephone, it is common for the committee chair to present you with some basic details like title, start date, and salary. Make a few notes and ask questions, but do not feel obligated to accept or decline the offer on the spot. Ask to have the offer letter mailed or faxed to you, and take time to carefully consider the offer. Request time to consider the offer: two weeks is typical, many organizations will readily grant you that much time to make a decision.
When is an Offer an Offer?
Beware that a verbal promise of a job does not constitute a formal job offer. Many candidates have heard promises like "the job is as good as yours," only to have nothing materialize. Formal job offers are ideally made in writing, defining salary and terms of appointment. When possible, wait until you have the written offer letter in your hands before making any other decisions. A written offer letter should detail the terms of the offer, which usually include job title, salary, starting date, a summary of benefits, and any other pertinent information (travel reimbursement, hiring bonuses). More likely, you will be offered a position by telephone, and you will be given the details of the offer in good faith. Circumstances may lead you to negotiate and accept terms without seeing a written offer. If this is the case, you should still expect or request a written offer letter to retain for your personal files, even if you receive this after you have started your new position.
