Onboarding • 6 MIN READ
How to Write a Job Offer Letter That Seals the Deal
APR 7, 2026
An offer letter is your last chance to confirm a candidate's decision. Here is what to include and how to get the tone right.
What an offer letter must include
An offer letter is a pre-contractual document that confirms the key terms of employment before the formal contract is issued. It must include: the job title and reporting line, the start date, the place of work, the salary and any variable pay arrangements, the working hours and pattern, the notice period (particularly important if the candidate is currently employed and planning a handover), any conditions attached to the offer such as satisfactory references or right-to-work verification, and a deadline for acceptance.
Getting the tone right
The tone of an offer letter communicates the culture before the candidate has spent a single day in it. A warm, personal opening that acknowledges why the candidate was selected is far more effective than a formal legalese introduction. End with a genuine expression of enthusiasm for the candidate joining. Avoid the common mistake of making the offer letter feel like a legal document: the formal employment contract will follow separately and can contain the full legal terms. The offer letter should feel like an invitation, not a notice.
