Accepting an internship offer can be a very exciting and daunting experience for any student or recent graduate. It is a crucial decision as it marks the beginning of a new professional journey and sets the tone for your future career. As such, it is important to take the time to carefully consider all aspects of the offer before making a decision. In this blog post, we will explore how to accept an internship offer and discuss the factors you should consider before doing so. We will also provide tips on how to make the best use of this opportunity and ensure you have a successful internship experience. Finally, we will provide advice on how to properly decline an offer if you feel it is not the right fit for you. By following these steps, you will be able to make an informed decision and ensure that you make the most out of your internship.
- Get the offer in writing. Although you may have already accepted the internship over the phone, it’s always a good idea to get your offer in writing. …
- Give your answer in the first sentence. …
- Reiterate your start date. …
- Be grateful yet professional.
How to accept an internship offer
The way you accept an internship offer may vary depending on your unique situation and how an organization makes the offer to you. For instance, it might be appropriate to accept an offer in the same way if you receive it in person. However, many new professionals take their time to think about their offers and later accept them in writing by communicating via email. In order to accept your internship offer via email, follow these five steps:
1. Ask for the offer in writing
Make sure to request a written offer as you consider accepting your internship offer. This may enable you to carefully review the terms of the offer and make a more educated decision regarding your acceptance. It’s also simpler to comprehend your start date, compensation information, and the expectations of your new employer if you have the offer in writing.
2. Plan a professional email to accept or defer the offer
Consider whether you want to accept, defer, or request more time after reading the offer in writing. Whatever option you select, you can outline an email in a formal tone to communicate your choice. If you want to decline the offer, it’s a good idea to politely request that the start date of the internship be moved to a time that better fits your schedule. In contrast, if you’d like to request more time to decide, you can do so while respecting the organization’s hiring schedule and request a deadline.
3. Thank the addressee for their offer
Start your email by expressing gratitude to the recipient for their offer, regardless of whether you choose to accept or show respect. This can demonstrate your sincere appreciation for their offer and encourage respect in all of your correspondence.
4. Agree to or negotiate terms of employment
You can accept the terms of employment, including the start date, rate of pay, and schedule, after thanking the addressee for their offer. Alternately, you can do so at this point in the email if you’d prefer to negotiate or defer the terms of the offer to better suit your needs. It’s critical to keep in mind that when negotiating or deferring to accommodate your needs, you should do so while being direct, succinct, and respectful of the needs of the organization.
5. Sign and send the email
Once the article is finished and proofread for any syntax or grammatical errors, you can sign it with a formal closing. From here, you can email the right person, like the hiring manager, a human resources professional, or the manager you’ll be working with.
What is the internship offer process?
A series of steps known as the internship offer process allows young professionals with little experience to land pre-career roles. This procedure frequently resembles the interview and offer phases of a job search, but it usually only applies to new or young professionals, such as college students, recent grads, or people beginning new careers in different fields. These types of professionals can gain experience accepting, negotiating, deferring, and declining employment offers by going through the internship offer process.
The internship offer process typically includes stages where applicants are presented with a proposal from a company regarding temporary employment that specifies compensation information, a schedule, duties, a method of work, and dates of employment. From here, applicants can evaluate the conditions of the offer and decide whether to accept, defer, or reject it. Then, they can respond to the organization accordingly.
How to decline an internship offer
You may reject the internship offer if you’ve thought it over and determine that it doesn’t meet your needs at this time. Although many new professionals may find this challenging, it is a crucial learning opportunity where you can demonstrate professionalism. Similar to the guidelines for accepting an offer outlined above, the majority of candidates give offers some thought before declining them in writing via email. Here are five steps to follow if you want to reject your internship offer via email:
1. Plan a professional email to decline the offer
Create a strategy for writing an email to decline the internship offer once you’ve decided it’s best for you to do so. In your email, be sure to address the right person, try to sound professional, and stay away from any potential negativity that could come with rejecting the offer. Instead, you can frame your declination through positivity and gratitude.
2. Express your gratitude for the offer
As soon as you open your email, thank the sender for the internship offer. You should let the organization know that you appreciate their time, effort, and interest in your candidacy even though you won’t be accepting the offer. Regardless of your candidate or employment status, this is a best practice that can help maintain a positive relationship for professionals of all skill levels and industries.
3. If relevant, provide a reason for declining the offer
You can politely decline the offer after expressing your gratitude for it by using brief, even-toned language. Give a justification for rejecting the offer, if applicable, such as your acceptance of a different position or inability to make the schedule work. Although you are not required to do so, doing so might help the organization by adding some context and transparency.
4. Sign off on a personal note
Try to end each email with a personal message, such as a promise to stay in touch or a wish for the recipient’s future success. Being sincere in your closing, similar to how you express your gratitude, will help you keep good working relations with the addressee and the company that gave you the job.
5. Send the email
You can send the email to the appropriate addressee, such as the hiring manager, human resources specialist, or another professional you’ve been communicating with regarding the offer, once you’ve finished writing it and checked it for any potential grammar or syntax errors.
Template and example internship offer acceptance email
You can use the following sample and template emails to help you accept your internship offer:
Template
Dear [Addressee name],
The offer to intern at [organization name] makes me very happy. I am eager to collaborate with the team and am especially looking forward to working on [project title].
I’d like to accept the terms of the offer, but I’d also like to talk to you about negotiating the start date and working hours for the position because [explanation for wanting to negotiate] When the week is over, do you have time to talk?
I appreciate your time, and I hope to speak with you soon to learn more about [organization name].
Best wishes,
[Your name]
Example
Dear Ms. Longueview,
I’m overjoyed to have been offered an internship at Bright Works, Inc. I’m excited to work with the team and am especially looking forward to this summer’s solar panel project.
Although I would like the chance to speak with you about changing the start date for the position, I would like to accept the terms stated in the offer. I may require accommodations in this regard as I’m finishing up my fellowship program at the university and will be taking exams until May 27, 2021. At the end of this week, would you have some free time to talk?
Thank you for your time, and I hope to speak with you and learn more about Bright Works soon.
Best wishes,
Laura Collins
Template and example internship offer declination email
You can use the following model and illustration as a reference when rejecting your internship offer:
Template
Dear [Addressee name],
Thank you so much for offering to let me intern with [name of organization]. I sincerely appreciate your consideration and time during the application process. Unfortunately, I wont be able to accept this offer.
I have chosen to pursue [another field] for my internship and have accepted a position at another organization after giving the offer some thought and reviewing it. Communication with you and learning more about [organization name] has been a true pleasure. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Example
Dear Mr. Banks,
I appreciate you offering me a position as an intern at Orange Bench Architects. I sincerely appreciate your consideration and time during the application process. Unfortunately, I wont be able to accept this offer.
I have decided to pursue the engineering field for my internship and have accepted a position at another company after carefully weighing your offer. Communication with you and learning more about Orange Bench has been a true pleasure. I wish you all the best in the future.
Sincerely,
Todd Stevens
Tips for communicating about internship offers
It can be difficult for new or young professionals with little experience communicating in this capacity to navigate the internship offer process. Here are some pointers to assist you in doing so effectively:
Considering the offer – how to accept an internship offer
FAQ
What do you say when you accept an internship offer?
Verify the details of the agreement, such as the job title, the start date, and the pay, and acknowledge them. Restate your enthusiasm for joining the organization. If the employer sends you an offer letter that only requires your signature and date, send them a quick thank-you note.
How do you accept an internship via email?
- Ask for the offer in writing. …
- Plan a professional email to accept or defer the offer.
- Thank the addressee for their offer. …
- Agree to or negotiate terms of employment. …
- Sign and send the email.
Do I have to accept an internship offer?
You ought to get a written offer that includes the position’s title, location, pay, and benefits. Do not accept an offer until it is in writing. Ask for a written offer if a company makes you a verbal offer. As long as it contains information on the job title, location, salary, and benefits, an email offer is acceptable.
How long do I have to accept an internship offer?
Do not feel obligated to accept the first internship offer you are presented with if you have applied to more than one. Accepting an offer only to renege on it later is the worst thing you can do. It’s fine to deliberate for two or three days, or even longer if necessary.
