Making the job offer

Once you have decided on someone who is right for the job, it’s time to make them an offer. The first step is to give the successful candidate a call and offer them the job.

If they accept, ask to meet as soon as possible to look over an employment agreement. The proposed agreement should be gone through with the candidate word for word, to make sure it is clearly understood and expectations are spelt out.

DO NOT ask the applicant to sign at this point because legally they MUST be allowed time to get advice and negotiate the terms of the agreement. Indications are that a week may be a suitable length of time. Do not pressure them into signing.

At all times keep candidates informed of progress. It’s important to keep everyone onside as the first choice person may choose not to take the job offered. It is good practice to advise both the successful and unsuccessful applicants of the outcome in writing.

• See how it’s done: Example: Formal Job Offer   View PDF (52kb)    
                                Example: Post-interview Rejection  View PDF (43kb)

Because most farm positions are advertised at a similar time of the year, job seekers are continually entering and leaving the job market as they find a new position. This means the whole process needs to be completed reasonably quickly.