Contract templates · Hiring & Employment
An offer letter is the candidate's first impression of how organised your business is. It also fixes the headline terms before anyone resigns from their current job.
A job offer letter is a short document offering a candidate a role and summarising the position, start date, salary, benefits and conditions such as background checks. It usually asks the candidate to sign and return it by a deadline and may be followed by a full employment agreement.
When you need one
- Making a formal job offer to a candidate
Key clauses in a Job Offer Letter
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Position and start date
Names the role, team and agreed start date.
Salary and benefits summary
Summarises base salary, bonus or commission and key benefits without reproducing the whole policy.
Conditions of the offer
Makes the offer conditional on references, right-to-work checks or background screening where relevant.
At-will or notice statement
States whether employment is at-will (US) or subject to notice periods (UK, EU and most other markets).
Acceptance deadline
Gives a date by which the candidate must accept, after which the offer lapses.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Promising bonuses or equity in vague terms that later read as guarantees.
- Leaving out the conditions, then struggling to withdraw an offer after a failed check.
- Forgetting to say whether a fuller employment contract will follow.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Job Offer Letter template on My Contract Lawyer and download the editable .docx straight after checkout.
Fill in the brackets
Add names, dates, fees, scope and governing law, and delete optional clauses that do not apply to your deal.
Check it against local law
Rules differ between US states, the UK and EU countries, especially for employment, consumer and property contracts. Have a lawyer review high-value or unusual deals.
Sign and keep a copy
Sign on paper or with any e-signature tool, and store the final version where both sides can find it.
Get the Job Offer Letter template
Lawyer-drafted and ready to edit in Word, Google Docs or Pages. One-time payment of $19, no subscription, instant download from My Contract Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Is an offer letter legally binding?
Once accepted it can form part of the employment contract, so treat the wording as binding.
Can I withdraw an accepted offer?
Sometimes, especially if a stated condition is not met, but withdrawal after acceptance can expose an employer to a claim in some jurisdictions.
Should the offer letter mention equity?
Mention it as subject to the option plan and board approval, rather than as a fixed number of shares.
Related contract templates
Templates are a starting point, not legal advice, and using one does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Contract law differs between countries and states, so check the finished document against local law.