Formal job offer: Sample offer letter format
Use this sample job offer letter template from employer to employee when formally offering a full-time position to your best candidate. This template includes a sample job offer email along with a formal job offer attachment to send to candidates. It covers the most important employment terms:
- Position details (title, working schedule)
- Compensation
- Bonus or commission
- Employee benefits
- Privacy policies
- Termination conditions
You can customize this sample offer letter format and add, modify or remove specific terms and benefits. Note that the following job offer template contains placeholders that you can easily fill with your company’s data.
It’s best to contact your candidate via phone or email to announce you’re extending a job offer before sending this formal document.
If you’re sending the offer letter via email, make sure to:
- Use an email subject line that clearly states this is a job offer (e.g. “Job offer from [Company_name]” or “Job offer for the position of [Job_title] at [Company_name]”)
- Keep the email body text brief and mention that the candidate can find the detailed job offer letter attached.
- Set a specific timeframe for when you would like to get your candidate’s final response.
You can also personalize the email body text and tweak the tone to match your company culture. But, keep the language in your employment offer letter formal and clear, as it’s an official document that describes the employment terms between you and your future hire.
Keep in mind that this template is not a legal document and may not take into account all relevant local or national laws. Please ask your attorney to review your finalized job offer letter.
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Job offer email template
Email subject line: [Company_name] job offer / Job offer from [Company_name]
Dear [Candidate_name],
We’re delighted to extend this offer of employment for the position of [Job_title] with [Company_name]. Please review this summary of terms and conditions for your anticipated employment with us.
If you accept this offer, your start date will be [Start Date] or another mutually agreed upon date, and you would report to [Manager_name].
Please find attached the terms and conditions of your employment, should you accept this offer letter. We would like to have your response by [date]. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me or [Manager_name] via email or phone at [provide contact details], if you have any questions.
We are all looking forward to having you on our team.
Best regards,
[Your name]
[Signature]
Job offer letter template – attachment
Job offer format: Table of contents
I. Position
III. Bonus (or commission) potential
V. Privacy and confidentiality agreements
VII. Interpretation, amendment and enforcement
I. Position
Job title
Your title will be [Job_title], and you will report to the Company’s [Manager’s job_title].
Working schedule
This is a [full-time/part-time] position requiring approximately [e.g. 40] hours per week. Your regular weekly schedule will be [e.g. Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00].
Employment Relationship
Employment with the Company is for no specific period of time. Your employment with the Company will be “at will,” meaning that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause. Any contrary representations that may have been made to you are superseded by this letter agreement. This is the full and complete agreement between you and the Company on this term. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than you.)
II. Cash Compensation
Salary
The Company will pay you a starting salary at the rate of $[Gross annual salary] per year, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule, beginning [start day] and you will receive your first paycheck on [date]. This salary will be subject to adjustment pursuant to the Company’s employee compensation policies.
Tax withholding
All forms of compensation referred to in this letter agreement are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law.
Tax advice
You are encouraged to obtain your own tax advice regarding your compensation from the Company. You agree that the Company does not have a duty to design its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities and you will not make any claim against the Company or its Board of Directors related to tax liabilities arising from your compensation.
III. Bonus (or commission) potential
In addition, you will be eligible to be considered for an incentive bonus for each fiscal year of the Company. The bonus (if any) will be awarded based on objective or subjective criteria established by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Your target bonus will be equal to [percent]% of your annual base salary. Any bonus for the fiscal year in which your employment begins will be prorated, based on the number of days you are employed by the Company during that fiscal year. Any bonus for a fiscal year will be paid within [number] months after the close of that fiscal year, but only if you are still employed by the Company at the time of payment. The determinations of the Company’s Board of Directors with respect to your bonus will be final and binding.
IV. Employee benefits
As a regular employee of the Company, you will be eligible to participate in a number of Company-sponsored benefits.
The Company offers a comprehensive employee benefits program, including:
Vacation policy
You will be eligible for [number] days of paid vacation leave per year. Paid time off is additional to sick days, bank holidays and days that the company does not operate.
Private health and dental insurance plan
As all Company employees, you will be eligible for the private health and dental insurance plan we provide. Specific terms and conditions may change upon vendor’s decision.
Stock Options
Subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee, and following the adoption by the Company of an equity incentive plan, you will be granted an option to purchase [number] shares of the Common Stock of the Company or of its parent (the “Option.”) The exercise price per share of the Option will be determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee when the Option is granted. The Option will be subject to the terms and conditions applicable to options granted under the Company’s Stock Plan (as adopted, the “Plan”), as described in the Plan and the applicable Stock Option Agreement. You will vest in 25% of the Option shares after 12 months of continuous service, and the balance will vest in equal monthly installments over the next 36 months of continuous service, as described in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.
V. Privacy and Confidentiality Agreements
Privacy Agreement
You are required to observe and uphold all of the Company’s privacy policies and procedures as implemented or varied from time to time. Collection, storage, access to and dissemination of employee personal information will be in accordance with privacy legislation.
Conflict of Interest policy
While you are employed at this Company, you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity (whether full-time or part-time) that would create a conflict of interest with the Company. By signing this letter of agreement, you confirm that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties for the Company.
Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement
Like all Company employees, you will be required, as a condition of your employment with the Company, to sign the Company’s standard Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement.
VI. Termination Conditions
The Company reserves the right to terminate employment of any employee for just cause at any time without notice and without payment in lieu of notice. The Company will be entitled to terminate your employment for any reason other than for just cause, upon providing to you such minimum notice as required by law.
VII. Interpretation, Amendment and Enforcement
This letter agreement supersedes and replaces any prior agreements, representations or understandings (whether written, oral, implied or otherwise) between you and the Company and constitute the complete agreement between you and the Company regarding the subject matter set forth herein. This letter agreement may not be amended or modified, except by an express written agreement signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.
You may indicate your agreement with these terms and accept this offer by signing and dating this agreement by [date the offer expires]. Upon your acceptance of this employment offer, [Company_name] will provide you with the necessary paperwork and instructions.
Sincerely,
[Sender_name]
Signatures:
___________________________________________________
Company Representative (Sign)
___________________________________________________
Company Representative (Print)
___________________________________________________
Date
___________________________________________________
Applicant (Sign)
___________________________________________________
Applicant (Print)
___________________________________________________
Date
More resources:
- Job offer letter and email samples:
- Guide: How to write a standout job offer email
- Library: Company policies
Related Resources:
Disclaimer: The following offer letter recommendations should only be used as guidelines. Please only select the portions that apply to your company. Neither the author nor workable.com will assume legal liability for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.