A formal job offer informs candidates of their employment terms while mirroring your company's brand voice and culture. Human resources managers can streamline hiring and accelerate the onboarding process by crafting job offer templates.
Note that job offer letters are distinct from employment contracts, even thought they might include some of the same information (such as the job description).
The following guide includes five job offer letter templates you can use to save time and communicate clearly with new employees.
What to include in every job offer letter template
Begin with a greeting and a description of the letter's purpose. Then, include the following:
- Branding: Use consistent brand colors, fonts, and images, from the letterhead to the closing statements.
- Date: Include the date the job offer letter was made.
- Job title and description: List the job title and a brief description. These should mirror what will be included in a formal employment contract, but the description can be a shorter version.
- Department and supervisor name: List more than one supervisor, if applicable.
- Start date: State the intended date for employment to begin.
- Working hours: Describe expected weekly hour commitments or part- or full-time status.
- Compensation: Provide information on hourly wage or annual salary, pay schedule, and payment methods.
- Benefits: Summarize the employee benefits associated with the job offer (paid time off, retirement, stipends, etc.). This does not need to be exhaustive and can refer to other documents for more information.
- Legal considerations: Incorporate legal requirements (like an at-will employment statement), contingencies (such as a background check), or other conditions of employment within this section, as applicable.
- Point of contact: Provide information for the person the candidate should contact with any questions or concerns.
- Deadline: Provide prospective employees a reasonable deadline to respond to your job offer โ typically, 1โ2 weeks.
Since most hiring managers send an offer of employment via email, the subject line should be concise and direct. You can also save templates using similar wording.
5 job offer templates for every type of hire
Regardless of industry, company, and open position, the following job offer letter templates commonly address most hiring situations.
1. General job offer letter template
A general or standard job offer letter template forms the basic structure of a job offer letter. For smaller businesses with fewer employees, the general job offer letter template may be the only letter sent to prospective employees. This template incorporates most of the elements listed above and typically fits on one page.
Hiring managers may call upon a standard job offer letter template to repurpose it for ad-hoc use. For example, you can quickly alter general job offer letter templates to suit temporary or independent contractor positions, too.
Here's an example template for a general job offer letter:
[Your Company Logo] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Date]
[Applicant's Name] [Applicant's Address] [City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Applicant's Name],
We're pleased to offer you the role of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. We were impressed by your qualifications and experience, and believe you'll be a valuable addition to our team.
Your start date will be [Start Date] and your salary will be [Annual Salary]. This role includes [List of Benefits, e.g., health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan], and [Hours per Week] are expected.
Your responsibilities will include [Brief Description of Job Responsibilities]. You will report to [Supervisor or Manager's Name] and work closely with [Team/Department].
Please review our enclosed Employee Handbook for more information about our company policies and procedures. If you accept this offer, please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Deadline].
We're excited to welcome you to our team. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact [HR Contact Name] at [HR Contact Email] or [HR Contact Phone Number].
Sincerely,
[Your Name, Title, and Company Name]
2. Formal job offer letter template
A formal job offer letter template accommodates a larger amount of information that often corresponds to more detailed employment expectations. The summary may include much of the same information as the official employment contract to follow (if the candidate accepts).
For a more formal job offer letter, try this template:
[Your Company Letterhead] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Applicant's Name] [Applicant's Address] [City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Applicant's Name],
On behalf of [Company Name], I am delighted to extend a formal offer of employment to you for the position of [Job Title]. We are confident that your skills and experience align with our requirements, and we believe you will be a valuable asset to our team.
The [Job Title] role has a start date of [Start Date] and an annual salary of [Annual Salary]. We're pleased to offer a generous benefits package, including [List of Benefits, i.e., health insurance, retirement plan, etc.]. For this role, there is an expectation of [Hours per Week].
Your primary responsibilities will include [Brief Description of Job Responsibilities], and you will report directly to [Supervisor or Manager's Name] while also collaborating closely with the [Team/Department].
Please take the time to review the attached Employee Handbook, which provides detailed information regarding our company policies and procedures. Should you choose to accept this offer, please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Deadline].
We are excited to have you join our team and are confident that your expertise will contribute significantly to our organization's success. If you have any queries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact [HR Contact Name] at [HR Contact Email] or [HR Contact Phone Number].
Warm regards,
[Your Name] [Your Title] [Company Name]
3. Casual job offer letter template
Most job offer letter templates fall somewhere between the standard and formal templates described above. Casual job offer letter templates incorporate some of the same language as the other two types previously mentioned, with more everyday versus legal terms. The casual approach to the offer letter can reflect a laid-back culture.
A casual job offer letter template typically includes bullet points and simplified language. Some templates do not even require prospective employees to sign anything. Instead, a written response (typically an email) is enough to get the ball rolling.
For a more casual approach to a job offer letter, try this template:
[Your Company Logo] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Applicant's Name] [Applicant's Address] [City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Applicant's Name],
We are thrilled to offer you the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. Your enthusiasm and qualifications make you a great fit for our team, and we look forward to having you on board.
The [Job Title] position will start on [Start Date], with an annual salary of [Salary] and an expectation of [Hours per Week]. The benefits package for this role includes:
- [Bulleted list of main benefits, if applicable]
Your responsibilities will include:
- [Brief list of Job Responsibilities].
You will report to [Supervisor's Name] and collaborate with our [Team] regularly.
Please find attached our Employee Handbook for more information on our company policies and procedures. To accept this offer, please reply to this email by [Deadline].
We are excited to welcome you to [Company Name] and believe that your skills will be a great addition to our team. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to contact [HR Contact Name] at [HR Contact Email] or [HR Contact Phone Number].
We're looking forward to working with you and are confident that you will thrive in your new role!
Best,
[Your Name] [Your Title] [Company Name]
4. Internal promotion job offer letter template
An internal job offer letter template includes elements similar to those listed above but may incorporate a more conversational tone. Companies may use a casual job offer letter template for internal job offers.
However, the shift in job duties and pay requires a more explicit explanation of expectations and requirements. For example, internal job offer letter templates are often used for promotions. The job offer letter must include the new job title, salary, benefits, supervisor, and any other changes that apply.
A helpful template for an internal promotion offer letter is as follows:
[Your Company Letterhead] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Employee's Name] [Employee's Address] [City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Employee's Name],
I am delighted to inform you that you have been promoted to the position of [New Job Title] within [Department/Team]. Your hard work, dedication, and exceptional performance have not gone unnoticed, and we're confident that you will excel in this new role.
The [New Job Title] position will commence on [Start Date], with a salary of [New Salary/Compensation Details]. For this role/As a reminder, your benefits include [List of Benefits, e.g., health insurance, retirement plan, etc.]. In your new position, your working hours will be [Hours per Week].
You will be responsible for [Brief Description of New Job Responsibilities] in your new role. You will report directly to [Supervisor or Manager's Name] and work closely with the [Team/Department].
Please take the time to review the attached document outlining the details of your promotion. If you accept this offer, please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Deadline].
We're excited about the opportunity to see you grow within our organization and are confident you will continue contributing significantly to our team. If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out to [HR Contact Name] at [HR Contact Email] or [HR Contact Phone Number].
We're looking forward to your continued success and are thrilled to have you take on this new challenge.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Title] [Company Name]
5. Employment change offer letter template
Internal job offer letter templates assist hiring managers in transitioning a current employee to another position. However, employment change offer letter templates modify only the employment classification of a particular employee. Common examples include part-time employees gaining full-time status or vice versa.
Like the internal job offer letter template, the employment change template establishes what's changed and when it goes into effect. Regarding part-time employees gaining full-time status, applicable benefits often comprise the meat of the employment offer letter.
On the other hand, clearly indicating what employees may not be eligible for can help hiring managers set expectations.
In cases of employment change, the following template can be helpful:
[Your Company Letterhead] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Employee's Name] [Employee's Address] [City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Employee's Name],
We are pleased to inform you of an upcoming change in your employment status at [Company Name]. Effective [Effective Date], you will transition from your current position as [Current Job Title] to the new position of [New Job Title]. This change reflects our confidence in your abilities and potential for growth within the company.
With this position, you will be offered a salary of [New Salary/Compensation Details]. Your benefits package will include [List of Benefits, e.g., health insurance, retirement plan, etc.], and working hour expectations are as follows: [Working Hours] [Hours per Week].
Your new responsibilities will include [Brief Description of New Job Responsibilities], and you will report directly to [Supervisor's Name] and collaborate closely with the [Team/Department].
Please review the attached document outlining the details of your employment change. If you accept this offer, please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Deadline].
We are excited to see you thrive in this new position and are confident you will continue to make valuable contributions to our team. If you have any questions or want further information, please feel free to contact [HR Contact Name] at [HR Contact Email] or [HR Contact Phone Number].
Congratulations on your employment change โ we look forward to your continued success and growth within our organization.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Title] [Company Name]
Bonus: volunteer or internship offer letter template
Not all hiring decisions and job offer letters involve standard employment. For example, volunteers and interns may not necessarily receive a traditional job offer letter. Instead, they may need to agree to specific terms and conditions, primarily any applicable legalities, before contributing their time.
In these instances, even the most basic and informal job offer letter template will suffice. Ask a lawyer to review any legal language before using this type of job offer letter template. Hiring managers may also wish to clarify that the position does not offer compensation or benefits.
For a volunteer or internship offer letter, try this template:
[Your Organization's Letterhead] [Organization Name] [Organization Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Volunteer/Intern Name] [Volunteer/Intern Address] [City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Volunteer/Intern Name],
I am delighted to offer you the opportunity to join [Organization Name] as a [Volunteer/Intern Position]. Your interest and enthusiasm for [Specific Area/Department] have impressed us, and we believe your skills and dedication will make a valuable contribution to our team.
Your [Volunteer/Intern Position] will start on [Start Date] and run until [End Date, if applicable]. Your working hours will be [Hours] [Number of Hours per Week] at [Office Location or Remote]. This is a [Paid or Unpaid] role. [If paid, include compensation details here.]
During your time with us, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in [Brief Description of Duties and Responsibilities]. You will work closely with [Supervisor/Team] to support our initiatives and projects.
Please find attached additional information about your role as a volunteer/intern at [Organization Name]. If you accept this offer, please sign and return a copy of this letter by [Deadline].
We are excited to welcome you to our team and look forward to working together. If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact [Supervisor's Name] at [Supervisor's Email] or [Supervisor's Phone Number].
Thank you for choosing to volunteer/intern with us. We're confident that this experience will be enriching for both you and our organization.
Warm regards,
[Your Name] [Your Title] [Organization Name]
Effectively manage job offer letters with Superhuman
Streamline your hiring process by pairing the right job offer letter templates with Superhuman's blazingly fast email for high-performing teams.
Superhuman is the fastest email experience ever made โ eliminate email anxiety, fly through your email twice as fast, and save hours per week so you can focus on what matters most.