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Write a job offer letter
Enter the role, pay and start date. Get a short, complete offer letter, with every missing term marked for you to fill.
River's offer letter writer drafts a short, complete job offer letter for a small business. Enter the person, the role and the terms you have agreed, and you get a letter covering the title, pay and how it is paid, schedule, start date, manager, benefits as you describe them, any conditions, and how to accept.
Nothing is invented. Any term you did not give, such as an acceptance deadline, is marked for you to fill in. Where a term depends on your state, such as at-will language, the letter flags it for you to check.
For startups offering equity, River's founder document studio on meetriver.com includes a startup offer letter, and its offer and negotiation template checks the pay against your existing team first.
What a complete offer letter covers
Effective job offers are clear, complete, and positive. Weak offers are either too vague (missing key details like salary or start date) or too cold (reading like legal documents without warmth). Strong offers cover all essential terms, make candidate feel valued, and explain clear next steps. Candidates should read the offer and know exactly what they're accepting: role, compensation, benefits, start date, and what happens next. Any ambiguity creates confusion or concern.
A complete small business offer letter covers the role title and manager, the start date and schedule, and the pay with how it is paid, such as an hourly rate paid every other Friday. It also covers any bonus or commission, the benefits and when they start, and whether the job is full-time or part-time. Finally, it states any conditions, the acceptance deadline and what happens on the first day. Put the main terms in the letter, and keep detailed legal terms in a separate agreement if you need one.
Present offers warmly. Start with enthusiasm (we're excited to offer you). State terms clearly (here's the role, compensation, and start date). Reference what makes them great fit (we were impressed by your experience/skills). Close with next steps (please confirm by date, reach out with questions). Offers are first official communication as future employees. Set positive tone. Make them feel valued and excited to join while being professionally clear about terms. Good offers lead to accepted offers and engaged new hires.
How it works
Enter the terms
The person, role, pay, schedule, start date and anything else agreed.
River writes the letter
A short, complete letter built only from the terms you gave.
Fill and check
Fill the marked terms and check state-specific items before sending.
Adjust in chat
Ask for a warmer opening, a part-time version or a matching welcome email.
What you get
- Title, manager, start date, schedule and work location
- Pay and how it is paid, written exactly as you agreed it
- Benefits only as you describe them, with start dates if given
- Conditions such as a background check, stated plainly
- An acceptance deadline and signature lines
- Missing terms and state-specific items marked for you to check
Common questions
Is this a complete offer letter?
Yes. It covers the main terms of the job in one or two pages and includes signature lines. More complex hires, such as executives or roles with equity or commissions, may also need a separate agreement, which an employment lawyer should draft or review.
Should the letter say employment is at will?
In most US states employment is at will unless a contract says otherwise, and many offer letters say so. Montana is the main exception, limiting termination after a probationary period. River flags this line so you can check it for your state.
What if pay is still being negotiated?
Then you are not ready for the letter. Agree the terms first, by phone or in person, and then send the letter to confirm them. Changing a written offer after it is sent creates confusion.
How long should I give the candidate to respond?
Long enough to decide properly, often a few business days for most roles. State the deadline clearly in the letter. River marks it for you to fill in if you did not give one.
Write a job offer letter
Describe what you need, add any files you have, and your workspace opens with the work already underway.