You’ve been offered a new position and are considering accepting it. The issue is that you need formal employment documentation from your previous company. So, what is it that you need to do?

Many businesses value experience in today’s job market. This implies they will probably want to see examples of your work before making you an offer. Only bother applying if you have something to show them.

Whenever you submit a job application, the form you fill out will need you to give specifics about your skills and work history. Usually, a job offer is accompanied by a legally binding contract that must be signed before employment can begin. Contracts are the legal agreements that govern these situations.

This article will discuss handling a verbal job offer but not a written one. We’ll explain why you need to write a contract when offered a job and how to ensure you get paid on time.

Say, thank you!

Once the hiring manager tells you that you’ve been selected for the role, it’s important to thank them for the opportunity. You want to ensure they know how much you appreciate being offered the job.

There are several ways to do this. One way is to send a formal email thanking them for considering you for the position.

Another way is to write a handwritten note. If you’re meeting with them face-to-face, give them a firm handshake and say, “Thanks again for taking the time out of your schedule to meet with me today. I really appreciate it.”

These simple gestures let the person know you’re genuinely thankful for the opportunity.

Think it over

After you’ve expressed your thanks and asked for time to think about it, ask for more time.

This gives you a chance to mull things over and give yourself enough time to weigh the pros and cons of accepting the role. You want to take your time deciding because you feel pressured to take the job.

If you’re married or have kids, you’ll also want to factor that into your decision. A good rule of thumb is to wait three days after you receive the initial offer before responding. During this period, you’ll have plenty of time to digest the proposal and discuss it with your spouse or partner.

Request a written offer

If you have yet to receive a formal job offer in writing within 48 hours of receiving an oral request, ask for one.

This is a good way to protect yourself against being blindsided by a change in salary or bonus structure. Before agreeing to anything, you’ll want to ensure you understand what you’re signing up for.

Email your recruiter with the following information:

• Your name
• Company name
• Job title
• Date of interview
• Verbal offer

In addition to requesting a written offer, here are some things to consider before signing anything:

• Ensure the offer includes specific terms about the start date, contract length, location, and compensation.
• Look at the language carefully. Is there any mention of “at-will”? Does it include the word “employee”?
• Watch out for phrases like “signature on file.” These mean nothing unless you’ve seen the document.
• Pay close attention to whether the offer mentions bonuses or raises. If it does, make sure you know exactly what those numbers are.
• Read everything twice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
• You should also review the company’s website or LinkedIn profile to learn more about it and its culture. The information you find online may help you decide if this is the right place for you.
• Ask for references. Request two or three names from people who currently work at the company. Be prepared to call each reference and ask about their experience working there.
• Ask for a copy of the employee handbook. This will give you details about the company’s policies and procedures. It can also help you determine if they treat employees fairly.

Negotiate the compensation

Negotiation is an expected part of the hiring process. You want to know what you’re getting into before accepting a position. It could go unnoticed if you don’t ask about the offer’s specifics.

Once you’ve taken the time to consider the job offer, request a conversation with the hiring manager by asking them directly for details about the proposal. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before making a decision.

Before you negotiate, consider all elements of the offer. Depending on where you live, health care coverage may be offered, while others may provide a 401(k). Some companies even offer tuition assistance.

Here are some examples of how to approach the discussion:

• Ask if you should talk to someone else.
• Tell them that you’d like to understand the full scope of the offer.
• Suggest that you’d like to hear more about the offered benefits.
• State that you have other offers to compare.
• Ask if there’s anything else you need to know.
• Thank them for the opportunity.
• Keep track of the discussions, so you see the situation later.
• Follow up after you receive the offer.
• Reach out again if you have any additional questions.

Find out what’s taking so long

Waiting for a job offer can feel pretty frustrating, especially when you need to know exactly how long you’ll be waiting. However, understanding the reason behind the delay can help you stay calm and focused on the task at hand. Here are five potential causes for delays in getting hired.

• There could be something wrong with the application itself.
• You may have been rejected because the employer wants someone else.
• Your resume may need to do a better job of selling yourself.
• The recruiter may need to share more information about the role.
• The hiring manager may be swamped with work.

Conclusion

Job offers are tricky business – you might think you have the job in the bag after a great interview, only to be sorely disappointed when a written offer never arrives.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t despair! Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to successfully handle a verbal job offer, not a written one.

But if at any point during this process you could use some help from experts, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of resume writers.

They’ve helped countless people land their dream jobs, and they can do the same for you.