Founders can win more candidates by sending a well-designed offer deck instead of a plain offer letter. Iskender Dirik received such a presentation from Microsoft in 2017 for the role of Managing Director Microsoft ScaleUp. A good offer deck explains the package, how the share options work, perks, legal language, onboarding, the team and the workplace.
On the 15th February of 2017, I got an email from an executive recruiter a Microsoft.
The mail had an attachment: A PowerPoint presentation (of course!). But this was something, back then, I saw for the first time:
It was a proper presentation for a job offer.
It was the offer I got after months of interviews and talks for a new role at Microsoft: Managing Director Microsoft ScaleUp.
The deck presented me with the final offer, explaining all the details of the offered package (including share options) and everything I should know about the opportunity.
I loved it. Since then, I’ve advised every founder and company to do the same (in even better):
Send candidates a looking deck as an offer, with everything they should know and most importantly: everything that would give them a better feeling about starting at your company:
- Details of the offered package
- How does the share package work? Many employees feel overwhelmed when it comes to sharing options, no matter if startup ESOP or public company employee share program
- Perks
- Explanation of the legal language
- Onboarding information
- The team members that expect your arrival
- Your workplace
- Etc.
This is such an easy and effective way to increase excitement on the candidate’s site and thus increase your chances of bringing them over the finishing line.
Carta published their offer letter years ago:
Given Carta’s charter, it has a strong emphasis on the financial package, but in any way, it will provide you with a great inspiration.
Frequently asked questions
What is a job offer deck?
It is a presentation sent to a candidate as the job offer. It explains the full offered package, including share options, and everything the candidate should know about the opportunity.
What should a job offer presentation include?
Details of the package, how the share package works, perks, an explanation of the legal language, onboarding information, the team members who expect the new hire and the workplace.
Why should startups send candidates an offer deck?
It is an easy and effective way to increase the candidate’s excitement and the chances of bringing them over the finishing line. Many employees feel overwhelmed by share options, so explaining them clearly helps.
