Job Offer: How to Accept or Decline Correctly
A job offer is a proposal from an employer to a potential employee outlining all the essential terms of the future employment contract. It can be made either in writing or verbally, at the employer’s discretion. Formally, there is no difference between these two formats, as job offers in Russia are not legally binding. This means that until the employment contract is signed, the employer can withdraw the offer.
Although a job offer represents the final stage of the hiring process, it is still important to pay attention to several details.
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Step 1: Check whether all the necessary points are included in the Offer
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Company name and job title
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Job responsibilities
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Reporting line (who you will report to)
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Working schedule
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Duration of the probation period
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Salary, bonuses, and benefits package
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Starting date (if already specified)
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Step 2: Do you have all the information needed to make a decision?
If you feel you’re missing information or have additional questions, there are several ways to get the answers:
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You can research public sources, for example, to find out the number of employees or the company’s recent financial reports.
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If you need information not available online, like whether the health insurance covers family members or where the offered position fits within the company’s structure, you can reach out to the recruiter directly.
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To learn more about the internal culture or team dynamics, consider using LinkedIn to contact current employees and ask for their insights.
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Step 3: Make sure you’re comfortable with all the conditions
Even though the employer is presenting their final intentions in the offer, they may be open to adjusting some terms. Therefore, it’s absolutely worth discussing anything that doesn’t fully meet your expectations.
If the offer includes conditions that weren’t discussed during the interviews or seem unsuitable to you, evaluate how important they are. If a condition is critical and you’re not ready to compromise, bring it up with the hiring manager and suggest alternatives.
Ideally, compensation should be discussed during the interview stage so it doesn’t have to be revisited after receiving the offer. If the proposed salary works for you, it’s better not to reopen the discussion.
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Step 4: Discuss the desired changes with the recruiter
It’s important to clearly explain your reasons for wanting to change specific terms of the offer. This will help you and the employer reach a mutual understanding and potentially result in revised conditions.
If you are willing to compromise on certain terms, clarify what the future prospects for changes might be and what steps you would need to take to achieve them.
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Step 5: Make your decision and communicate it
Don’t be afraid to take time to think it over, even if you’re ready to accept the offer. It’s completely normal to reflect on such an important decision rather than rushing into it. However, don’t delay too long, as it may risk your connection with the employer. Typically, 3–4 days is enough to weigh the pros and cons.
Accepting the Offer
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Discuss the start date. According to labor law, a currently employed candidate must give 2 weeks’ notice before leaving their job. Employers are usually aware of this and understand that you may need time to wrap things up.
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Confirm next steps: your first day, start time, dress code, and required documents for HR.
Declining the Offer
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It is absolutely acceptable to decline an offer, so don’t worry about letting anyone down. Recruiters usually have one or two backup candidates in case someone declines.
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Be polite. It’s in your best interest to maintain a good relationship with the employer. Thank them for the offer, explain your decision with objective reasons, and suggest staying in touch.
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