Congratulations on your new, “verbal” job offer! Too bad it wasn’t in writing.

  • The verbal job offer was for $88,500; your first pay check calculates out to $86,800 annually.
  • The title they offered you was Business Development Manager; your new business card reads Sales Representative.
  • The offer didn’t mention that you’d be sharing a cubicle; you’re upset.
  • The manager promised you a performance bonus, but now his boss says “maybe next year.”
  • You took the job because of the stock options they said you’d receive; no one but you remembers that.
  • The manager agreed to give you a third week of vacation; now HR says that’s against company policy.

A verbal job offer is wonderful because it tells you where you stand while the company prepares the formal written offer. But a verbal offer is like a wet noodle: It doesn’t stand up.

Get everything you’ve been promised in writing, and don’t accept the job offer — even verbally — until you have it in writing. A good employer will comply.

(See also: Protect yourself from exploding job offers.)

: :