Salary FYI

Offer Letter

Employment

A formal document from an employer specifying the terms of employment — including position, salary, benefits, start date, and conditions — provided to a selected candidate.

## Offer Letter

An offer letter formally communicates the terms of employment to a candidate. It is typically the final step before the candidate accepts and begins the onboarding process.

### Key Contents

| Element | Example |
|---------|--------|
| Job title | Senior Software Engineer |
| Start date | March 15, 2026 |
| Base salary | $150,000/year |
| Equity | 4,000 RSUs vesting over 4 years |
| Signing bonus | $25,000 |
| Target bonus | 15% of base salary |
| Benefits | Health, dental, vision, 401(k) |
| Employment type | At-will, full-time, exempt |
| Reporting to | VP of Engineering |
| Location/remote | Hybrid (2 days in-office) |

### Offer Letter vs. Employment Contract

In the US, offer letters are common and typically state at-will employment. In Europe and many other countries, a formal employment contract with detailed terms is legally required.

### Negotiation Window

The period between receiving an offer letter and signing it is the primary negotiation window. Most companies expect some negotiation.