Difference Between Offer & Appointment Letter

Job Letter -

Job Letters are the letters or emails sent to the employers to position oneself also called self-selling letters. In short it is an application for a job.

An offer letter (also called as Letter of Intent) is a document (soft/hard) given by any company to a Person interviewed by them. Company is extending an offer to a person to join them. However, there is no obligation on any of the parties.

Offer Letter -

Offer Letter contains:-

·         Nature of Job and Designation

·         Salary Break Up /Benefits / Perks

·         Company Policies and Rules

·         Some may also include the Joining Date

·         Last date to accept the Offer

However either parties are free to back off in the offer process. Company can revoke the offer as per their strategies and so can the person offered, if he is not convinced with the offer made.

Joining Letter -

Joining Letter can be referred to as Acceptance letter by the person who has received the offer. If a person is accepting the offer made by the company, he writes an e-mail expressing his interest to take up the position and join the company. It is suggested to write the email irrespective of whether verbal acceptance is made or not.

Appointment Letter-

Coming to Appointment letter, is proof of appointment that a person is accepting the offer and ready to work for the company and agree with the terms and conditions of the company.

Consists of -
Date of Joining, Time and Venue
Medical Tests if needed /Contract / Agreements if any
Documents / proofs to be submitted on reporting date.

These days however companies first share the salary break up with the selected candidates and negotiations happen if any, and then a full-fledged official offer letter is rolled out with joining date. There is no separate concept of appointment letter as such. Once the candidate accepts the offer made- an acceptance mail is sent to the employer confirming the joining date. 

Some companies just share the break up initially and give away the hard copy of Offer Letter once the candidates joins the company. So there no thumb rule as such.

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