CareerKit

Free Job Offer Response Generator

Accept, decline, ask for time, or extend the deadline — the right email for every scenario.

What are you doing?

Recruiter, hiring manager, or whoever sent the offer.

0/400

Restated in writing for a paper trail. Base, signing, equity, start date, etc.

0/500

One detail from the interview process / offer keeps the email from feeling like a template.

Tone

How to respond to a job offer (the right way)

You just got an offer. Now what? Most candidates either: send an immediate "I accept!" without negotiating, freeze for days because they're juggling another process, or accidentally tank the offer with a sloppy decline. The response email is one of the highest-leverage 5-minute investments in your job search.

Our free Job Offer Response Generator writes the right email for each of the four scenarios — accept formally, decline politely, ask for more time, or extend the deadline. Pick the scenario, paste the company name + a few details, and get a ready-to-send email in 30 seconds.

How to use the offer response generator

  1. 1

    Pick the scenario

    Accept (confirm formally in writing), Ask for time (1-2 more weeks), Extend deadline (you have another process running), or Decline (keep the bridge intact).

  2. 2

    Add company + role

    Both required for context — vague emails read as form letters.

  3. 3

    For accept: paste the offer terms

    Base / signing / equity / start date. Restating in writing creates the paper trail you'll want when reviewing the contract.

  4. 4

    Pick a tone

    Professional default. Warm if the rapport with the recruiter has been close. Brief for senior hiring managers who clearly value brevity.

  5. 5

    Generate, edit, send within 24h

    Recruiters interpret silence as disengagement. Even "asking for more time" should be sent the same day you receive the offer.

Offer response best practices

  • When asking for more time, NEVER say "I have another offer" up-front. Phrasing like "I want to be thoughtful" lands better and protects the offer if your other process falls through.
  • When accepting, restate the offer terms in writing (title, base, signing, start date). This creates a paper trail and protects you from "we never actually agreed to that" gaps later.
  • When declining, keep it brief. Don't explain in detail — saying too much weakens the relationship and gives the recruiter ammunition to counter.
  • Send within 24 hours of receiving the offer, even if you're asking for more time. Silence reads as disengagement.
  • For deadline extensions, propose a SPECIFIC new date ("by next Friday") rather than asking open-ended for "a bit more time".
  • Never apologise for taking time to make a thoughtful career decision. It's reasonable. Apologising signals you think you're asking for something you shouldn't.

Job offer response FAQs

How much time can I ask for to decide?▾

1-2 weeks is normal and reasonable. Beyond that, companies start to worry you're shopping the offer. If you genuinely need 3+ weeks (multi-stage other process), be specific about the date and acknowledge the timing is unusual.

Should I negotiate before accepting?▾

Yes — recruiters expect a counter on senior roles. Use our salary-negotiation-script tool to write the counter email. Then use this tool to formalise the acceptance after the negotiation lands.

How do I decline without burning the bridge?▾

Be brief, grateful, and specific. "I've decided to stay at [current company] for now, but I really appreciated meeting the team. Would love to stay in touch for future opportunities." Generic decline messages are forgettable; one specific reference is what keeps the relationship alive.

What if the recruiter pushes back on a deadline extension?▾

Hold firm if you have a real reason ("My other final-round is next Tuesday and I want to compare fully"). Cave if you don't. Recruiters read confidence — wavering on the extension request signals you're not actually serious about the role.

How many responses can I generate for free?▾

3 per day, no signup. Sign up free for unlimited generation and to track every offer alongside the rest of your job search.