Acknowledging a job offer

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Career Services Building (0128)
Corner of Washington Street & West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
phone 540-231-6241 fax 540-231-3293 www.career.vt.edu

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and graduate level, at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
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JOB SEARCH TOOLS & SKILLS:

Resumes and vitae

Cover letters & other letters

E-mail

Telephone

References

Researching employers

FINDING JOBS & EMPLOYERS:

How VT grads did it

Who hired VT grads

How to start your job search

Pros & cons of ways to job-hunt

Hokies4Hire & the On-Campus Interviewing Program

Job listing web sites

On-line job search advice & privacy protection

MEETING EMPLOYERS:

Handshakes

Career fairs / job fairs

Employer info sessions

Interviewing

Interview attire

Business casual attire

Dining etiquette

DECIDING ON A JOB OFFER:

Salary, benefits, negotiating

Responding to job offers

Acknowledging a job offer

SPECIAL INTERESTS:

International students

Students with disabilities

LGBT students

Graduate students

Acknowledging a job offer

Courtesy dictates that you acknowledge a written job offer, even if you are not ready to accept or decline it. Take note of the details of the offer, as specified in your offer letter, and respond appropriately.

Items to remember:

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Thank the employer for the opportunity presented.

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Indicate that you understand the terms of the offer, or if you don’t, ask for clarification.

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A smart employer will know that you need to consider various employment options in order to make a wise decision; you may need to compare the offer to another pending offer.

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However, you may need to make a decision before you know whether or not you will receive another offer.

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Consult a Career Services Advisor if you need assistance handling offers or making a decision.

Also see Juggling job offers: you've got one, but you want another.

Sample (below):

Sample 6.1: Acknowledging a job offer, neither accepting nor declining

Also see:

Guidelines for job search correspondence

Guidelines for using e-mail in your job search

Requesting extension of deadline to accept/decline offer

Accepting an offer and withdrawing from the job search

Declining a job offer

Ethical issues

Employment contracts

Sample 6.1: Acknowledging a job offer, neither accepting nor declining

444 University Road
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 555-9876
email: gguthrie@vt.edu

February 1, 2009

Mr. Chris Afton
Grand Hotel Inc.
8899 Jefferson Street
Roanoke, VA 24022

Dear Mr. Afton:

I am acknowledging your letter offering me the catering and sales representative position with Grand Hotel, Incorporated. Thank you very much for offering me this exciting opportunity. The terms of your offer are clear, and I am certain I will be able to give you a response by your requested deadline of February 16. I appreciate your allowing me ample time to consider your offer so that I can be sure my decision will be in the best interest of both my career goals and the needs of your organization.

In the meantime, should I have any questions, I will call you. Please do not hesitate to call me if I can provide you with any needed information.

Yours truly,

George Guthrie