UK Job Offer Playbook · 2026
How do I formally accept a UK job offer?
Why this matters
Many candidates accept verbally, resign from their current job, then discover the written offer doesn't match what was discussed verbally. Verbal offers create contracts but evidence is hard. Always insist on a written, comprehensive offer letter that captures every negotiated point — and accept it in writing. Most rescinded-offer disasters could have been mitigated by a written paper trail.
Step-by-step playbook
1) Receive the final written offer including base, variable comp, pension contribution %, holiday entitlement, notice period, start date, location, hybrid/remote details, conditions (references, right to work, medical, DBS if applicable). 2) Verify all negotiated changes are correctly captured. 3) Read the contract carefully — check for non-compete, confidentiality, IP assignment, restrictive covenants, exit terms. 4) Write a brief acceptance email referencing the offer letter date and version. 5) Ask about pre-employment checks (references, DBS, right-to-work) and provide what's needed. 6) Confirm onboarding details: laptop delivery, IT access, payroll, first-day logistics. 7) Only after acceptance is confirmed AND any conditions are met, resign from your current job. 8) Keep all offer correspondence — letter, emails, contract — in a safe place.
Word-for-word script / template
Email template: 'Hi [Name], I'm pleased to formally accept the offer for the [Role] position as set out in your offer letter dated [date]. My understanding of the key terms: - Base salary: £[X] - Variable: [bonus/commission structure] - Pension: [%] employer contribution - Holiday: [N] days plus bank holidays - Notice period: [period] - Start date: [date] - Working pattern: [hybrid/remote/office] Please confirm next steps for pre-employment checks (references, right-to-work, DBS if applicable) and I'll provide what's required. I'd also welcome any onboarding information closer to my start date. Thank you for the opportunity — I'm looking forward to joining the team. Best, [Your name]'
What NOT to do
Don't: accept verbally and consider it done; accept before all conditions and negotiated changes are in writing; resign from your current job before written acceptance is confirmed AND conditions are satisfied; sign the contract without reading restrictive covenants; assume verbal promises will be honoured; lose any of the offer correspondence.
Worked example
Sophie negotiated her offer up by £4,500 base + extra holiday. The HR contact verbally agreed and said the revised offer letter would follow. Sophie waited 3 days, got the letter, verified all changes were reflected, then sent a written acceptance email. She resigned from her current role only after confirmation. This sequence protected her — when HR's senior manager initially queried the changes, she had email evidence of agreement.
Recruiter pro tip
The single most important rule: nothing matters until it's in writing. The offer letter is your contract; everything else is conversation. If a recruiter or hiring manager promises something verbally, follow up by email asking for written confirmation. Two minutes of paperwork upfront saves 20 hours of dispute later. Never resign from your current role until the new written offer letter is in your hand and all conditions are satisfied.
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