Offer Letter

An offer letter is a written document from an employer formalizing a job offer. It follows the verbal offer and contains the specific terms you'd be agreeing to. **What an offer letter typically includes:** - Job title and department - Base salary and pay frequency (bi-weekly, semi-monthly) - Start date - Work location (office, remote, hybrid) - Reporting structure (who you report to) - Employment classification (full-time / part-time, exempt / non-exempt) - Benefits overview (health insurance, retirement plan, PTO) - Equity grants (if applicable — shares, type, vesting schedule) - Signing bonus (if applicable — often with clawback terms) - Contingencies: background check, drug test, reference check - Offer expiration date **What to review carefully:** - Non-compete and non-solicitation clauses (affect your ability to work elsewhere after leaving) - At-will vs. contract employment language - Clawback terms on signing bonuses and relocation - Equity vesting schedule and cliff **The verbal offer vs. written offer:** A verbal offer is not binding. Don't resign from your current job until you have a written offer letter. Occasionally verbal offers are rescinded before the letter is issued. **Negotiation:** Negotiation happens on the offer letter before you sign it. Once you sign, the terms are accepted. If you've negotiated verbally, confirm every agreed change is reflected in the written letter before signing.