Verbal vs Written Offers: What's Binding

Verbal vs Written Offers: What Is Binding

The recruiter calls you, voice full of enthusiasm: "We would love to offer you the position. The salary is $145,000 with a $20,000 sign-on bonus." You are elated. You tell your family, you start apartment hunting, you give notice at your current job. Then the written offer arrives and the sign-on bonus is $10,000. Or worse — the written offer never arrives at all. Understanding the legal and practical differences between verbal and written offers is essential for protecting yourself.

What Is a Verbal Offer?

A verbal offer is a spoken commitment from a company representative (typically a recruiter or hiring manager) that they want to hire you, usually accompanied by key terms like title, salary, and start date. Verbal ...