How to Reply to A Promotion By Email

Getting a promotion is often an exciting opportunity to advance in your career and in your workplace. It usually comes with an increase in not just your salary, but also your responsibilities and expectations of leadership.

To respond to an email informing you of a promotion, clearly state whether or not you choose to accept the promotion. If accepting, you should ask for clarification on your responsibilities and new roles. If denying, specify why.

Here’s how to write a reply email for a promotion offer.

How to Reply to A Promotion Via Email

When you receive your promotion email, it is likely that your superior will be offering you the promotion rather than simply putting you into the new role. As such, you’ll need to clearly state whether or not you will be accepting the new position.

If you choose to accept, make sure that you understand exactly what you’re accepting. Review any information you’ve been given about the new position and ask relevant questions such as who will be replacing you in your current role, whether you will be working with the same team or a new one, and what the specific responsibilities of the role are.

If you are not accepting the position, be clear about why this is. Note that denying a promotion will make you less likely to receive a promotion offer in the future in most cases, so you should have a clear and reasonable explanation for doing so.

This might include being comfortable in your position, wanting to gather more knowledge and experience first, or having a personal situation that prevents you from accepting more responsibility.

In either case, it’s a good idea to offer to meet with your superior to discuss the promotion further, then express your gratitude for the offer in the conclusion of your message.

Promotion Offer Email Reply Examples

Here’s what your reply to a promotion offer may look like if you are accepting it.

SUBJECT: Re: Promotion to [Title]

Hello [Name],

Thank you very much for the offer of promotion to [Title]. This is generous of you and I greatly appreciate it. I am happy to accept this position and look forward to taking on the new role.

I would like to ask for clarification on a few points about the new position before I begin.

  • [Question]
  • [Question]
  • [Question]

If you could please contact me via [Method] at [Contact information] during [Availability], I would love to discuss this further with you. Thank you again.

Sincerely,

[Name]

Here’s how that same reply may look if you are choosing to deny the promotion.

SUBJECT: Re: Promotion to [Title]

Hello [Name],

Thank you very much for the offer of promotion to [Title]. This is generous of you and I greatly appreciate it. Unfortunately, I cannot accept this position at this time. This is because [Reason]. As such, I would be more comfortable remaining in my current role.

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me via [Method] at [Contact information] during [Availability]. Thank you again.

Sincerely,

[Name]

 

Conor