After going through the decision-making process and negotiating a salary, you've decided to accept a job offer. Before you tell the employer of your decision, make sure you are one hundred percent committed to it. Ask yourself the following questions one last time before you give your final answer:

• Do I fully understand the job and am I happy with what it entails?

• Will I be comfortable with the corporate culture?

• Will I be, as far as I can tell right now, compatible with my future coworkers and boss?

• Is the work environment one in which I will be happy?

• Is the location of the workplace acceptable? Will I be able to handle my commute?

• Do I understand the employer's expectations and will I be able to meet them?

• Does the employer understand my expectations and will he be able to meet them?

• Does the salary and other compensation seem fair to me? If not, will I be able to live with that?

• Will I have the opportunity for growth in this job?

• Do I believe I will be treated fairly by my new employer?

Of course, no one can predict the future, but if by answering these questions you can assure yourself you are making the right decision, you will at least be getting off to the best start you can.

Letting Your New Employer Know You'll Be Coming On Board

Once you've made your decision, it's time to let your new employer know. You can first do this by calling him on the phone, or by e-mail if that has been your primary mode of communication. Then follow that up with a written letter that states your acceptance of his offer.

1245 West 45th Street

New York, NY 10032

June 23, 2007

Mr. Terry Braun

Mather, Miller, and Low, LLC

23-95 Queens Boulevard

Forest Hills, NY 12445

Dear Mr. Braun,

I am pleased to accept your job offer and I am looking forward to working as your assistant at Mather, Miller, and Low. I am enthusiastic about beginning work on the file reorganization project we talked about during our last interview. I have some ideas about how to implement this endeavor and look forward to getting started.

I will inform my current employer of my decision immediately and will be able to begin working for you in two weeks, as we discussed.

Thank you for your confidence in me.

Yours truly,

Sybil Soo

No Turning Back Now

Once you've accepted a job offer, you must stick with your decision. If you are having any doubts about it, if you think you may get a better offer from another employer, or if you think your current boss might make a counteroffer, then don't accept yet. Wait until you've heard from everyone involved in your decision before you tell your future boss of your acceptance.

Think about how you would feel if she decided to interview one last candidate after offering you the job and decided that he was the better choice. If the fact that this is just “the right thing to do” doesn't give you enough of a reason not to first accept and then reject an offer, remember that you don't know who you will meet in the future. This person, who may harbor very negative feelings toward you, can end up your future coworker or boss!