A job offer is the formal proposal an employer extends to a chosen candidate, setting out the role, start date, pay and key terms. Once the candidate accepts, the offer becomes a binding basis for the employment relationship, typically formalised in an employment contract.
What it means
An offer usually follows a background check and any final approvals, and the terms in it - particularly cost to company and start date - need to be accurate, since they are what onboarding and the first payroll run will rely on.
Where it fits in
Accepting a job offer is the handoff point from recruiting to HR and payroll - the candidate becomes a new hire, and the details in the offer feed directly into onboarding and the employee's first pay setup.
Key rules
- The formal proposal of employment, becoming binding once accepted.
- Usually follows background checks and final internal approvals.
- Pay and start-date terms must be accurate - onboarding relies on them.
- Acceptance is the handoff point from recruiting into HR and payroll.
