The email to send before you accept a job offer
Short answer
Send a short clarifying email before you accept. Confirm the package in writing, ask one targeted comp question, and request 2–3 business days to respond. Most offers are not best-and-final — clicking accept on day one closes every door. One email keeps every option open: negotiate base, ask for signing, negotiate start date, or accept later with the original number intact.
You're here because
- You got the offer and your hand is hovering over the accept button
- You're afraid that asking anything will make them rescind
- You don't know the safe wording for "please give me time"
- You'd rather take the offer than risk the conversation
- You want to keep your options open without seeming flaky
The exact email to send
Hi [HIRING_MANAGER],
Thank you for the offer. I'm genuinely excited about [COMPANY] and the team.
Before I respond formally, could you confirm a couple of details in writing — the base salary, signing bonus, equity grant structure, vesting schedule, and start date? I want to review the full package carefully.
I'd also like to ask one quick question about [BASE / SIGNING / START DATE] — happy to discuss in a short call or by email.
Would [2–3 business days] from today be a reasonable window for my full response?
Thanks again — looking forward to it.
Best,
[YOUR_NAME]
- Built for the moment a written offer or deadline lands — not casual browsing.
- Written for the 24–72 hour decision window.
- Designed for people who don't negotiate often.
- Real workplace register — not internet bravado.
What NOT to say
- "I accept!" — never on day one, even if you plan to. Buy yourself the response window.
- "I have other offers I'm considering" — only say this if literally true and you can substantiate.
- "I'll need to think about it" with no timeline. Always commit to a specific return date.
- Negotiating any number on the call, on the spot. Email the response in writing.
- Asking 5 questions in one email. Pick the most important one.
An illustrative example
Got an offer Friday afternoon. Almost clicked accept. Sent the email above instead. Recruiter confirmed the package in writing Monday and proactively added $5K signing bonus in the written version. Then the PM negotiated +$4K base. Total uplift: +$9K from one email that didn't even ask for money yet.
Why this works
Recruiters expect candidates to take a few days. Asking for the full written package signals you're thorough, not difficult. It also creates a written record of what's actually on offer — protecting you and them. Anchoring a response window keeps momentum without rushing your decision.
What to do next
Send this email today. Once the written package arrives, the Counter-Offer Kit has the full counter-offer wording for base, signing, equity, and start date — pick the one lever that matters most.
Before you send — quick check
- Do you know your walk-away number?
- Do you have a Levels.fyi or market band to anchor to?
- Do you have a 3-business-day deadline written in?
If you answered "not sure" to any of these, the Counter-Offer Kit walks you through all three.
Related reads
FAQ
Will asking for a few days look bad?
No. 2–3 business days is industry-standard. Recruiters expect it. Asking signals you're taking the offer seriously.
What if the offer has a same-day deadline?
Push back politely once. "I'd like to give this the consideration it deserves — could we extend to end of week?" Same-day offers are rare and almost always negotiable on timeline.
Should I mention I might negotiate?
Not in this first email. Confirm the package first. Negotiate in the second email once you have everything in writing.