Acceptance of job by email: to “dear” or not to “dear” [closed]

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I have received a formal job offer and have been emailed a pdf formal offer letter to sign and return. Everything's in order, the letter has been revised to reflect negotiated terms, and I'm prepared to accept.

Every form I find for accepting says I should begin "Dear Mr/Ms _______"

The job offer letter opens with "Dear [first name]"

I'm thinking I should begin my reply with "Dear [first name]" as well, and keep it more formal, but a friend said that it would be better to say "Hi [first name]" as all previous emails (well, all 2 of them) to this person already began "Hi." The email in which this person attached the formal offer letter also began "Hi [first name]."

I suppose this detail is not terribly important in the big picture, but I don't want to come off sounding either too casual or too stuffy.

At the moment, I think "dear" is the safer way to go, but wanted to hear others' thoughts. I already checked out this related question: How do you send a job acceptance email?

Thanks for your help!

job-offer

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edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

Community♦

1

asked Mar 4 '15 at 13:17

user33052

91

closed as primarily opinion-based by Chris E, gnat, Garrison Neely, Jonast92, Jim G. Mar 14 '15 at 2:24

Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Dear" is the standard word for signalling beginning the letter and not really signal formal/informal. To signal formal/informal you should say "Dear John" (informal signal, first-name basis), "Dear Mr. Smith" (formal signal; last-name naming). As others mentioned, in informal contexts you can also use other words like "Hi". Some people omit the greeting line entirely in e-mails, but personally I find that irritating even in informal contexts.
  – Brandin
  Mar 4 '15 at 19:34
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I have received a formal job offer and have been emailed a pdf formal offer letter to sign and return. Everything's in order, the letter has been revised to reflect negotiated terms, and I'm prepared to accept.

Every form I find for accepting says I should begin "Dear Mr/Ms _______"

The job offer letter opens with "Dear [first name]"

I'm thinking I should begin my reply with "Dear [first name]" as well, and keep it more formal, but a friend said that it would be better to say "Hi [first name]" as all previous emails (well, all 2 of them) to this person already began "Hi." The email in which this person attached the formal offer letter also began "Hi [first name]."

I suppose this detail is not terribly important in the big picture, but I don't want to come off sounding either too casual or too stuffy.

At the moment, I think "dear" is the safer way to go, but wanted to hear others' thoughts. I already checked out this related question: How do you send a job acceptance email?

Thanks for your help!

job-offer

share|improve this question

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

Community♦

1

asked Mar 4 '15 at 13:17

user33052

91

closed as primarily opinion-based by Chris E, gnat, Garrison Neely, Jonast92, Jim G. Mar 14 '15 at 2:24

Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Dear" is the standard word for signalling beginning the letter and not really signal formal/informal. To signal formal/informal you should say "Dear John" (informal signal, first-name basis), "Dear Mr. Smith" (formal signal; last-name naming). As others mentioned, in informal contexts you can also use other words like "Hi". Some people omit the greeting line entirely in e-mails, but personally I find that irritating even in informal contexts.
  – Brandin
  Mar 4 '15 at 19:34
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I have received a formal job offer and have been emailed a pdf formal offer letter to sign and return. Everything's in order, the letter has been revised to reflect negotiated terms, and I'm prepared to accept.

Every form I find for accepting says I should begin "Dear Mr/Ms _______"

The job offer letter opens with "Dear [first name]"

I'm thinking I should begin my reply with "Dear [first name]" as well, and keep it more formal, but a friend said that it would be better to say "Hi [first name]" as all previous emails (well, all 2 of them) to this person already began "Hi." The email in which this person attached the formal offer letter also began "Hi [first name]."

I suppose this detail is not terribly important in the big picture, but I don't want to come off sounding either too casual or too stuffy.

At the moment, I think "dear" is the safer way to go, but wanted to hear others' thoughts. I already checked out this related question: How do you send a job acceptance email?

Thanks for your help!

job-offer

share|improve this question

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

Community♦

1

asked Mar 4 '15 at 13:17

user33052

91

I have received a formal job offer and have been emailed a pdf formal offer letter to sign and return. Everything's in order, the letter has been revised to reflect negotiated terms, and I'm prepared to accept.

Every form I find for accepting says I should begin "Dear Mr/Ms _______"

The job offer letter opens with "Dear [first name]"

I'm thinking I should begin my reply with "Dear [first name]" as well, and keep it more formal, but a friend said that it would be better to say "Hi [first name]" as all previous emails (well, all 2 of them) to this person already began "Hi." The email in which this person attached the formal offer letter also began "Hi [first name]."

I suppose this detail is not terribly important in the big picture, but I don't want to come off sounding either too casual or too stuffy.

At the moment, I think "dear" is the safer way to go, but wanted to hear others' thoughts. I already checked out this related question: How do you send a job acceptance email?

Thanks for your help!

job-offer

share|improve this question

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

Community♦

1

asked Mar 4 '15 at 13:17

user33052

91

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

Community♦

1

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

Community♦

1

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48

Community♦

1

1

asked Mar 4 '15 at 13:17

user33052

91

asked Mar 4 '15 at 13:17

user33052

91

asked Mar 4 '15 at 13:17

user33052

91

91

closed as primarily opinion-based by Chris E, gnat, Garrison Neely, Jonast92, Jim G. Mar 14 '15 at 2:24

Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

closed as primarily opinion-based by Chris E, gnat, Garrison Neely, Jonast92, Jim G. Mar 14 '15 at 2:24

Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Dear" is the standard word for signalling beginning the letter and not really signal formal/informal. To signal formal/informal you should say "Dear John" (informal signal, first-name basis), "Dear Mr. Smith" (formal signal; last-name naming). As others mentioned, in informal contexts you can also use other words like "Hi". Some people omit the greeting line entirely in e-mails, but personally I find that irritating even in informal contexts.
  – Brandin
  Mar 4 '15 at 19:34
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  "Dear" is the standard word for signalling beginning the letter and not really signal formal/informal. To signal formal/informal you should say "Dear John" (informal signal, first-name basis), "Dear Mr. Smith" (formal signal; last-name naming). As others mentioned, in informal contexts you can also use other words like "Hi". Some people omit the greeting line entirely in e-mails, but personally I find that irritating even in informal contexts.
  – Brandin
  Mar 4 '15 at 19:34
  

  
  
  
  

"Dear" is the standard word for signalling beginning the letter and not really signal formal/informal. To signal formal/informal you should say "Dear John" (informal signal, first-name basis), "Dear Mr. Smith" (formal signal; last-name naming). As others mentioned, in informal contexts you can also use other words like "Hi". Some people omit the greeting line entirely in e-mails, but personally I find that irritating even in informal contexts.
– Brandin
Mar 4 '15 at 19:34

"Dear" is the standard word for signalling beginning the letter and not really signal formal/informal. To signal formal/informal you should say "Dear John" (informal signal, first-name basis), "Dear Mr. Smith" (formal signal; last-name naming). As others mentioned, in informal contexts you can also use other words like "Hi". Some people omit the greeting line entirely in e-mails, but personally I find that irritating even in informal contexts.
– Brandin
Mar 4 '15 at 19:34

suggest improvements | 

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

up vote
6
down vote

I think you're overthinking things.

They already know they want you, so anything from "Dear" to "Hello" to "Hi" is probably fine (though probably not "Hey" or "Yo wassup"). When in doubt, I usually take the example of whomever emailed me. If they opened with "Dear", then I would open with "Dear". So relax, and celebrate the fact that you have an offer!

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 13:30

David K

20.8k1075110

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks, your answer makes sense! Rereading my question, it does seem a bit over-fussy. Last minute jitters, I think. -G
  – user33052
  Mar 4 '15 at 13:38
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

I rarely use Dear in business correspondence.

I like to give a time-based salutation like "Good Morning X!" or "Good Afternoon X!"

If I don't know which way to address the person I'm emailing, I will leave out the name and instead say only "Good Morning!"

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 14:30

Garrison Neely

6,21512735

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It's an interesting idea - I've always avoided time-based greetings in communication that doesn't happen in real time. If I say "Good Morning!" and the recipient doesn't read my e-mail until the afternoon, I think it might distract them from what I'm communicating.
  – ColleenV
  Mar 4 '15 at 14:58
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

Use whatever greeting is in the offer letter.

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 23:49

Socrates

5,3951717

suggest improvements | 

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
6
down vote

I think you're overthinking things.

They already know they want you, so anything from "Dear" to "Hello" to "Hi" is probably fine (though probably not "Hey" or "Yo wassup"). When in doubt, I usually take the example of whomever emailed me. If they opened with "Dear", then I would open with "Dear". So relax, and celebrate the fact that you have an offer!

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 13:30

David K

20.8k1075110

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks, your answer makes sense! Rereading my question, it does seem a bit over-fussy. Last minute jitters, I think. -G
  – user33052
  Mar 4 '15 at 13:38
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
6
down vote

I think you're overthinking things.

They already know they want you, so anything from "Dear" to "Hello" to "Hi" is probably fine (though probably not "Hey" or "Yo wassup"). When in doubt, I usually take the example of whomever emailed me. If they opened with "Dear", then I would open with "Dear". So relax, and celebrate the fact that you have an offer!

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 13:30

David K

20.8k1075110

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks, your answer makes sense! Rereading my question, it does seem a bit over-fussy. Last minute jitters, I think. -G
  – user33052
  Mar 4 '15 at 13:38
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
6
down vote

up vote
6
down vote

I think you're overthinking things.

They already know they want you, so anything from "Dear" to "Hello" to "Hi" is probably fine (though probably not "Hey" or "Yo wassup"). When in doubt, I usually take the example of whomever emailed me. If they opened with "Dear", then I would open with "Dear". So relax, and celebrate the fact that you have an offer!

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 13:30

David K

20.8k1075110

I think you're overthinking things.

They already know they want you, so anything from "Dear" to "Hello" to "Hi" is probably fine (though probably not "Hey" or "Yo wassup"). When in doubt, I usually take the example of whomever emailed me. If they opened with "Dear", then I would open with "Dear". So relax, and celebrate the fact that you have an offer!

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 13:30

David K

20.8k1075110

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 13:30

David K

20.8k1075110

answered Mar 4 '15 at 13:30

David K

20.8k1075110

answered Mar 4 '15 at 13:30

David K

20.8k1075110

20.8k1075110

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks, your answer makes sense! Rereading my question, it does seem a bit over-fussy. Last minute jitters, I think. -G
  – user33052
  Mar 4 '15 at 13:38
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Thanks, your answer makes sense! Rereading my question, it does seem a bit over-fussy. Last minute jitters, I think. -G
  – user33052
  Mar 4 '15 at 13:38
  

  
  
  
  

Thanks, your answer makes sense! Rereading my question, it does seem a bit over-fussy. Last minute jitters, I think. -G
– user33052
Mar 4 '15 at 13:38

Thanks, your answer makes sense! Rereading my question, it does seem a bit over-fussy. Last minute jitters, I think. -G
– user33052
Mar 4 '15 at 13:38

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

I rarely use Dear in business correspondence.

I like to give a time-based salutation like "Good Morning X!" or "Good Afternoon X!"

If I don't know which way to address the person I'm emailing, I will leave out the name and instead say only "Good Morning!"

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 14:30

Garrison Neely

6,21512735

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It's an interesting idea - I've always avoided time-based greetings in communication that doesn't happen in real time. If I say "Good Morning!" and the recipient doesn't read my e-mail until the afternoon, I think it might distract them from what I'm communicating.
  – ColleenV
  Mar 4 '15 at 14:58
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

I rarely use Dear in business correspondence.

I like to give a time-based salutation like "Good Morning X!" or "Good Afternoon X!"

If I don't know which way to address the person I'm emailing, I will leave out the name and instead say only "Good Morning!"

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 14:30

Garrison Neely

6,21512735

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It's an interesting idea - I've always avoided time-based greetings in communication that doesn't happen in real time. If I say "Good Morning!" and the recipient doesn't read my e-mail until the afternoon, I think it might distract them from what I'm communicating.
  – ColleenV
  Mar 4 '15 at 14:58
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

up vote
3
down vote

I rarely use Dear in business correspondence.

I like to give a time-based salutation like "Good Morning X!" or "Good Afternoon X!"

If I don't know which way to address the person I'm emailing, I will leave out the name and instead say only "Good Morning!"

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 14:30

Garrison Neely

6,21512735

I rarely use Dear in business correspondence.

I like to give a time-based salutation like "Good Morning X!" or "Good Afternoon X!"

If I don't know which way to address the person I'm emailing, I will leave out the name and instead say only "Good Morning!"

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 14:30

Garrison Neely

6,21512735

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 14:30

Garrison Neely

6,21512735

answered Mar 4 '15 at 14:30

Garrison Neely

6,21512735

answered Mar 4 '15 at 14:30

Garrison Neely

6,21512735

6,21512735

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It's an interesting idea - I've always avoided time-based greetings in communication that doesn't happen in real time. If I say "Good Morning!" and the recipient doesn't read my e-mail until the afternoon, I think it might distract them from what I'm communicating.
  – ColleenV
  Mar 4 '15 at 14:58
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It's an interesting idea - I've always avoided time-based greetings in communication that doesn't happen in real time. If I say "Good Morning!" and the recipient doesn't read my e-mail until the afternoon, I think it might distract them from what I'm communicating.
  – ColleenV
  Mar 4 '15 at 14:58
  

  
  
  
  

It's an interesting idea - I've always avoided time-based greetings in communication that doesn't happen in real time. If I say "Good Morning!" and the recipient doesn't read my e-mail until the afternoon, I think it might distract them from what I'm communicating.
– ColleenV
Mar 4 '15 at 14:58

It's an interesting idea - I've always avoided time-based greetings in communication that doesn't happen in real time. If I say "Good Morning!" and the recipient doesn't read my e-mail until the afternoon, I think it might distract them from what I'm communicating.
– ColleenV
Mar 4 '15 at 14:58

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

Use whatever greeting is in the offer letter.

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 23:49

Socrates

5,3951717

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

Use whatever greeting is in the offer letter.

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 23:49

Socrates

5,3951717

suggest improvements | 

up vote
1
down vote

up vote
1
down vote

Use whatever greeting is in the offer letter.

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 23:49

Socrates

5,3951717

Use whatever greeting is in the offer letter.

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 23:49

Socrates

5,3951717

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Mar 4 '15 at 23:49

Socrates

5,3951717

answered Mar 4 '15 at 23:49

Socrates

5,3951717

answered Mar 4 '15 at 23:49

Socrates

5,3951717

5,3951717

suggest improvements | 

suggest improvements |