So, you’ve finally gotten the long-awaited email: an employer is offering you a job. The offer letter usually comes after several weeks of going through the application process. As such, you might wonder whether you should take the role or not.

Part of this decision should rest on how binding the offer is. After all, if you sign up for a job and then a better one comes along, you might have to pass up a great opportunity.

Sometimes, employers also give a conditional offer of employment.

How Official Is an Offer Letter?

Either way, if you’ve applied for jobs on ZipRecruiter, chances are you’ll hear back from some employers. As such, you need to understand how binding a job offer is.

Below, we’ll tell you how you can identify a binding job offer. That way, you’ll know what you’re getting into and can avoid signing agreements that don’t work out in your favor!

What’s in an Offer Letter?

As the number 1 job site in the United States, ZipRecruiter increases your chances of getting an offer letter. Once you create a free profile, the site will send your information to employers looking to hire people like you.

Then, employers can invite you to apply to their positions. This triples your likelihood of getting an offer. You can also apply with just 1 click, which saves you time.

When you get an offer letter, it will likely include a few items. First, the employer will offer you the position. They’ll also reiterate your expected responsibilities and give you information on what they’ll pay you. If they’re giving you a conditional offer of employment, they’ll state the conditions you need to meet.

You might also learn more information about the benefits they offer at this point. The job offer will likely specify your starting date, too. You’re more likely to get an offer if you have the right technical skills, so brush up on those!

Is an Offer Letter Legally Binding?

It’s important to note, though, that this isn’t the legally binding part of the process. As such, any part of this can be changed as long as you don’t sign a contract. If you want to negotiate things like your salary, you can do so at this point.

Depending on the employer, you may also get to negotiate how often you will work in the office vs. from home. If you’re unsure about whether you can negotiate on something, ask!

You’re also not under any obligation to accept the offer. However, most employers will want to hear back from you as soon as possible. So, you should set aside some time to think it over and consider the terms of employment.

Employers can also retract the offer at this point, but they’re unlikely to do so. As such, you can start making plans to leave your old job.

The Offer Letter vs. the Contract

Most often, employers will require you to sign a contract to accept the offer. This is usually where the binding information comes in.

These types of contracts are legal in nature. Whereas the job offer lets you know you’ve gotten the job, the contract sets forth all of the expectations.

The exact contents will differ depending on the job. It will state that you’re assuming this position and set forth some job responsibilities. Then, it will mention what your employer will provide in return, such as payment.

It will also go into items such as confidentiality. Depending on the industry you’re in, you might need to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) stating that you won’t leak private information. Other jobs require you to sign a no-compete clause.

The contract should also state whether it is an at-will arrangement. Most jobs offer at-will employment. This allows either the employer or employee to terminate the contract at any time and for any reason.

However, you should always read the contract to make sure the contracts are at will. If not, you may be expected to work for a certain period of time.

Breaching contracts comes with consequences. These are usually laid out in the document, and you should familiarize yourself with them.

Get a Job Offer Faster

If you’re looking for a job, you’ll get one faster if you use ZipRecruiter. Once you start using the site, you can browse through thousands of job listings. ZipRecruiter will highlight any overlaps between your experience and skills and the position’s requirements. That way, you can determine which ones you’d like to apply to.

Through ZipRecruiter, you can learn about jobs at your favorite companies as well as ones you’ve never heard of before. You’ll hear directly from employers, who will reach out to you when they’re interested. This increases your chances of getting hired faster. Ready to get started? Create your free profile today!