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[sher2824]

I've just received my very first offer letter! Are there any sample offer letters available on the Chronicle or elsewhere that I might compare mine to? I'm looking to add some language regarding things I was offered over the phone but did not appear in the offer letter (which is surely 100% boilerplate).

Thanks.

[offthemarket]

Congrats!  I don't think you'll have much luck wit people posting up their letters.  Why not run some sentences by the forum instead?

Before rewriting your own offer letter, which is more than a little presumptuous, I would pick up the phone and ask about these things.  (for example, I know at some schools, you get more than one letter.  You get one from the university/president/provost offering you the gig in general, with salary and such.  Then a more detailed one involving startup and such from the Dean or Chair.)

Call up the person who made you the offer and ask about the things not in the offer letter.

[goldenapple]

I second the advice to make a phone call. If they don't mention that you'll be getting a new computer, because all new faculty get a new computer, then I wouldn't be worried. Even something such as contributions to your retirement plan might not be mentioned, if what you are being offered is standard for all faculty. Still, they might not have explained that or they might have offered other things that aren't standard and that you have every reason to want in writing.  Just call and get some clarification.

[sher2824]

Thanks for the advice offthemarket. I agree picking up the phone is the best first move, but maybe I wasn't clear in my initial post. First, I'm only asking for a link to someplace with currently existing sample offer letters -- no different than all those other sample job materials published online and in books. I'd like to see what wording would be appropriate for things already settled over the phone in the acceptance phone call.

Second, following our verbal agreement to terms, I don't think it presumptuous to edit an offer letter (or send back said document with suggestions for revisions) that did not include items discussed over the phone. I'm not suggesting rewriting. I don't have access to their letterhead. Rather, marginal notation seems appropriate. I'm no lawyer, but it seems sensible when making a counter-offer or clarifying language that one would absolutely change the language or request it be changed. For instance, a colleague accepted a position and then received an offer letter stating the position was contingent upon funding. That was news to her, and she asked that it be removed.

[offthemarket]

Asking for something to be removed.  But to provide them with actual verbiage, actually editing the letter like a copy editor, is something else.  You could make a suggestion in an email, or send a note asking for what you want in the letter if you had already agreed to it.

If I were the person negotiating with you, I'd feel put off if the letter I sent came back with additions and corrections.  I'd be more pleased to add it myself if suggested in another way.  Maybe it's just me, and heck, I've only hired undergrads and postdocs, not professors.

[sher2824]

offthemarket, I don't want to get into any kind of flame war. But any marginal notes I would send would, of course, come after speaking to the person in question and asking if they would like me to send what I'm thinking about. So you don't have to worry about that.

But my original question concerns what is appropriate language to expect in a letter (or desire in a letter), and just as with sample job mats we find online, seeing models/examples of offer letters seems like a good idea.

[madhatter]

They will write the offer letter. They will make changes to the offer letter, if mutually agreeable, and send you an amended version. Period.

If you agree to changes over the phone, and you are worried about specific wording, then follow up with an email where you describe the wording you'd want to use.

Don't send marked up copies of the offer letter. Really. Don't. I'm trying to save you from embarrassing yourself.

[kedves]

Second, following our verbal agreement to terms, I don't think it presumptuous to edit an offer letter (or send back said document with suggestions for revisions) that did not include items discussed over the phone. I'm not suggesting rewriting. I don't have access to their letterhead. Rather, marginal notation seems appropriate.

Oh my gosh.  If you do this, please please please come back to tell us how it was received.

[voxprincipalis]

Second, following our verbal agreement to terms, I don't think it presumptuous to edit an offer letter (or send back said document with suggestions for revisions) that did not include items discussed over the phone. I'm not suggesting rewriting. I don't have access to their letterhead. Rather, marginal notation seems appropriate.

Oh my gosh.  If you do this, please please please come back to tell us how it was received.

Yes, please! I would also like to see a sample of the "we regret to inform you that we are withdrawing our offer" letter that will likely follow.

VP

[offthemarket]

[popping popcorn]

[tinyzombie]

Snark-free question: OP, have you ever been offered a job before, whether academic or not?

OTM, have a beer with me.

[sher2824]

tinyzombie, this is my first job offer, as I noted in my OP. And I understand why people are suggesting to not send marginal notations. Come on folks. My original question was about seeing examples of language that one might suggest. I know the internet is fun, but at least address what was being asked. Are there examples anywhere, as there are for other job materials? It's great when the Chronicle shows us CVs, would it not be the same with what to expect and ask for in an offer letter? Wouldn't you like to go into this stage of the process knowing what's appropriate language?

And for anyone suggesting to do one thing, period. We are told many different things during our preparations for job searches. Sometimes this information conflicts. Sometimes it doesn't. In my case, I was told by the search committee for my job (that's right, I got it; I must not be a complete numbskull) that it was in part a result of my breaking with what many would say is convention. What holds true for one or many situations does not hold true for all situations. Grow up.

Some of us have already, actually built a good report with those we will be working with. And this relationship might afford moves that other relationships in other departments with other deans might not. Snark away. ;P

[offthemarket]

Clearly your report with your new colleagues is better than your rapport with us here.

To answer your question, no - no such text of offer letters is available.

[sher2824]

Thanks, offthemarket.

[seniorscholar]

One more "tell them what you want and let them do the adding."

After you've done the negotiation over the telephone, you can send an e-mail listing the things you believe have been agreed to -- that is a list of items, not the language you want to see in the letter.

Offer letters are, once they're signed and returned, legal documents, so if the dean agrees to the things you want, the dean will either use standard language for the school's contracts or run the letter by the lawyer. Such folks do not take kindly to do-it-yourself language from people they are hiring.

And because every school has its own lawyers and its own standard contracts, I don't think seeing language from other colleges would help very much in any case.