Contributed by KELSEY WILLIAMS, Attorney Recruiter at Boly:Welch
Q: I just got a call offering me the job. I’m excited, but not yet ready to say yes on the spot. What should I say?
A: First, take a breath. You do not have to accept on the spot.
Getting the offer call is exciting, especially after weeks of interviews and waiting. But it’s also a lot to take in. Salary, benefits, bonus, flexibility, start date, responsibilities — it can be hard to know how you feel about the whole package when you’re hearing it for the first time.
Our advice? Be enthusiastic. Then give yourself some room to think.
Start by thanking them and letting them know you’re excited about the opportunity. You don’t need to play it cool.
Something as simple as:
“Thank you so much. I’m really excited about the opportunity and very grateful for the offer.”
Then ask them to send the full offer in writing. You want to be able to look at the details — not just remember what you heard on a phone call — and consider the offer as a whole.
And if you want to talk it through with your family, do that. If you need a few days to think, say so. You don’t need to invent a competing offer, come up with an elaborate reason, or apologize for taking the time to make a thoughtful decision.
Try:
“I’d love a little time to review everything and talk it over with my family before making a final decision.”
Then ask the question that takes the guesswork out of the process:
“What timeline are you hoping for regarding my decision?”
That way, everyone knows what to expect.
One thing you don’t need to do on that first call? Negotiate everything.
Your initial response doesn’t have to include a counteroffer, a list of questions about benefits, or an immediate reaction to the salary. Get the details first. Think about what matters most to you. Then, if there are things you’d like to discuss, you can have that conversation from a much more informed place.
And if you’re working with a recruiter, talk to them before the offer call if you can. We can help you think through what you want from the opportunity, what questions you might have, and how you’d like to respond if the offer comes through.
The goal isn’t to make the employer wonder whether you’re interested. It’s to make sure you’re making a decision you feel good about.
You can be genuinely excited and ask for time. Those two things aren’t in conflict with each other.
If you find yourself staring at your phone after an unexpected offer call, here’s a script worth keeping handy:
“Thank you so much. I’m really excited about the opportunity and honored by the offer. I’d like to take a little time to review everything and talk it over with my family before making a final decision. What timeline would you like me to follow for getting back to you?”
Then hang up, take a breath, and give yourself permission to think.
An offer is good news. You don’t have to turn it into a decision before you’ve had a chance to actually consider it.
We have more resources to support your job search right this way!
