Confused About the Difference Between a Job Offer and an Offer Letter? Let's Discuss!

Hi, seniors, I'm Bhawna. I'm working in a consultancy and looking for a job in the corporate sector. I recently attended an interview in the corporate sector where the HR Manager asked me about the major differences between an offer letter and a job offer (JIO). I was blank when faced with this question. Can you provide me with an answer to this question?

In HR recruitment, there is a Letter of Intent (LOI). If there exists a Job Inquiry Offer (JIO), then I too would be interested in knowing the same.

Regards

Hi Bhavna,

In my view, an offer letter is not a contract unless the terms are agreed upon by you. The terms of the offer and acceptance, which are incorporated in the job offer letter (if it is a job offer letter or appointment letter), form a valid contract, and the company's liability is governed by the terms in the appointment order!

I hope this information will be helpful for you.

Thanks and best regards,
Raj

Hi Bhavna,

An offer letter is a document issued by an employer to express their satisfaction with you as a potential employee. It does not obligate you to join the company and typically provides you with a timeframe to consider the offer.

A joining letter, on the other hand, is issued by the company once both parties have agreed on the terms of employment. It signifies mutual acceptance of the terms put forth by both the employer and the employee. The joining letter is given to the new employee on their first day of work, while the offer letter is provided before the commencement date, which could be after the interview or a few days later.

I hope this clarifies the distinction between the two.

Thank you,
Samsheen

Hi Babu.J,

An offer letter (which includes CTC) is nothing but the letter given by the employer. We can accept or reject this. On the other hand, a joining letter consists of the terms and conditions of the particular company. Once we agree to the offer letter, the employer issues the joining letter. This is a major difference between the joining letter and the offer letter.

Regards,
Babu.J HR

Dear Bhawna,

An offer letter is issued to a person when a company offers him/her a position for joining. A joining or appointment letter is issued to a person on the first day when he joins the company.

Regards

Dear Ms. Bhavna Verma,

All the respondents have explained the offer letter as it would be, but failed to understand "JOI" or "JIO" since you mentioned separately in the subject line and the content of the message. I do feel that you either mixed it up with LOI or the JOINING report. Please try to recall.

Best regards,
Asitabha Sanyal

Hi, I do agree with Rajkumari's comments because the offer letter is just giving an offer to you after clearing all rounds. However, the terms and conditions may or may not be accepted by you. If you accept the terms incorporated in the offer letter, then it will become a job offer letter (JOI), and it will be sent to you again. Once you accept the terms in the offer letter, it will become a contract.

Hope this information is helpful to you.

Thanks & Regards,
Jaykumar Yeleti

Difference between JOI / Offer letter.

Actually, an employee is selected after all the interviews. He will be given an appointment order with full terms & conditions. After receiving the appointment order with a joining time, some people misuse this for getting another job with a higher salary. That is why the employer prefers to give an Offer letter without disclosing the salary details. At the time of joining, he will be given an appointment order with all terms and conditions, including salary details, and receive his joining letter. This is called JOI.

ANBU LOGANATHAN
MANAGER - HR.

Hi Bhavna,

I too can't find anything that explains JOI. But since you could not tell the interviewer what JOI is, you could have asked something like, "I can tell the difference between an offer letter and a joining letter or appointment letter. But, if JOI does not refer to a joining letter or appointment order, could you please tell me what JOI stands for?" This approach could have saved the situation because you know what an offer letter and a joining letter or appointment order are (as some friends have already explained above).

Anyway, better luck next time.

Pavithran.