Job Search & Offers
How to Accept a Job Offer Without Losing Leverage
When you've gone through the exhausting process of rewriting your resume, conducting a job search, going through what sometimes seems like endless rounds of interviews, and then negotiating what you'll accept in terms of compensation to take on the job, the last thing you want to do is realize that you've lost leverage, the job is not what you expected, or benefits are not up to your expectations. How do you accept the job offer that you've fought for without losing your ability to negotiate because the company isn't meeting expectations?
Unlike many things in life, it's not a done deal when you sign on the dotted line, provided that you go about it the right way. In this article, we'll go over how you can retain leverage from your negotiation process while accepting a job offer. We'll discuss how to protect yourself legally, how to undertake additional negotiations if needed, and how to handle the offer acceptance in a professional manner.
Confirm Details in Writing
Always get it in writing isn't just a good idea, it's a necessity to protect your interests legally. Even in today's technological age of recording sound, video, and email, nothing backs up your interests like a legal contract that summarizes what your compensation will be, what your benefits will be, what your responsibilities are, and where they stop. When you receive a job offer, it's vital that you review the entire document and all of the associated documents, so that you have a strong understanding of what happens if things go wrong.
If you're not sure about something you're reading in the documentation, do research online or hire an attorney or paralegal to help you understand exactly what you're agreeing to. This is important because if trouble arises, you want to know what your options are. Are there arbitration clauses that keep things out of court? What about compensation if you're suspended while an investigation is underway? Understanding the document that you're signing is vital to staying out of trouble or navigating issues successfully down the road.
Negotiate Respectfully When Needed
If your job offer doesn't reflect what you were led to believe during the interview, don't get angry: negotiate instead. Respond back to the individual who sent the job offer and state what your concerns are, specifically what you were promised in the interview and negotiation process. In many circumstances, the person sending the job offer is different than the individuals who interviewed you, and may not be aware of certain aspects that were negotiated in the process. Give the company a chance to fix a mistake that was made, and move on with the process.
However, if this starts a new round of negotiations, consider carefully your selling points and what you bring to the new business. Practicing these points ahead of time makes it easier to bring them up coherently and respectfully when renegotiating your job offer. Remaining respectful shows the company that you're able to negotiate fairly, logically, and without getting angry in the process, giving them more confidence in their initial decision.
But what if you've given your notice at your current position and you have an offer that could make you stay at your current position? Respond the same way, in a respectful manner, and state what you've been offered. If your range was closer to the bottom of the range for the new company, they may offer you a better deal than they did originally. In either situation, consider carefully why you were looking for a new position in the first place. More money at your current job may mean nothing if you're miserable there.
Accept an Offer Professionally
It's fairly common to receive an initial, informal, non-binding job offer over the phone or via email, but in this article, we're discussing a legal document. To start, make sure you understand all aspects of the offer. Being professional means that you decide and go with what you've decided, not change your mind constantly as you're reading through the details. Consider the total compensation, responsibilities, what it means for your career long-term, the people and company culture, the company's stability, the opportunity for professional growth, and similar aspects before you formally accept the job offer.
Next, if any of the terms of the offer are not clear, clarify them before proceeding. Be timely in your responses, as the company may decide to go with other candidates if you delay too long. Once you have a finalized job offer, it's time to send an official acceptance. This is usually handled by email due to the traceability of the documentation. Create a clear subject line, express gratitude for the opportunity, then clearly state that you accept the job offer, the stated start date and time, and conclude with good wishes and a formal signature.
That doesn't mean it's time to hit the send button and celebrate! Before you send the email, take the time to proofread the message for any errors. If you can have a friend or colleague handle this, more mistakes will be caught that you missed in an initial overview of the email. Sign any documents and send scanned copies to the new company, handle any additional onboarding tasks prior to your start date such as drug tests, background checks, or references, then proceed to tie up any loose ends at your existing company, such as providing notice that you'll be leaving.
By taking the time to handle your job offer, negotiation, and acceptance in a professional manner, you're signaling to your new employer that you understand how business needs to take place, that you respect both your existing and future employer, and that you respect yourself enough to stand up for a fair salary and benefits. When accepting a job offer, remember to read all of the associated documents, clear up issues, and respond promptly for best results.