Congratulations on your new, “verbal” job offer! Too bad it wasn’t in writing.
- The verbal job offer was for $88,500; your first pay check calculates out to $86,800 annually.
- The title they offered you was Business Development Manager; your new business card reads Sales Representative.
- The offer didn’t mention that you’d be sharing a cubicle; you’re upset.
- The manager promised you a performance bonus, but now his boss says “maybe next year.”
- You took the job because of the stock options they said you’d receive; no one but you remembers that.
- The manager agreed to give you a third week of vacation; now HR says that’s against company policy.
A verbal job offer is wonderful because it tells you where you stand while the company prepares the formal written offer. But a verbal offer is like a wet noodle: It doesn’t stand up.
Get everything you’ve been promised in writing, and don’t accept the job offer — even verbally — until you have it in writing. A good employer will comply.
(See also: Protect yourself from exploding job offers.)
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