An offer letter is the moment students wait for, and it is also the moment many rush. In the excitement, it is easy to sign without reading the clauses that matter most: the service agreement, the probation terms, the joining conditions, and what happens if you leave early. A few minutes of careful reading can save you months of stress and, in some cases, a large sum of money.
This guide explains how to check that an offer is genuine, what each part of a typical fresher offer letter means, how to read bond and service agreement clauses, and which questions to ask before you sign. It is general guidance, not legal advice. For a specific clause that worries you, speak to a lawyer.
Step 1: Confirm the offer is genuine
Before reading any clause, make sure the offer comes from the company it claims to.
- Check the sender. Large employers state that they use only official email domains. HCLTech says it sends emails only from @hcltech.com, Capgemini says further communication comes from @capgemini.com, and Tech Mahindra says emails from public or free email domains are fake.
- Check the channel. Tech Mahindra states that it never issues offer letters on WhatsApp or social networking sites.
- Check for payment requests. TCS, Cognizant, Capgemini, HCLTech and Tech Mahindra all state publicly that they do not charge candidates any fee or deposit during recruitment. Any request for money for training, a laptop, verification or a seat is a strong sign of fraud.
- Use the company's verification route. Tech Mahindra describes a QR code on its offer letters that leads to its career portal. HCLTech asks candidates to report suspected fake offers to VerifyHCLOffer@hcl.com. For campus offers, your placement officer can confirm the recruiter's details.
Our guide on spotting fake job offers explains the most common scam patterns in more detail.
Step 2: Understand the structure of a fresher offer
Most fresher offers include some or all of the following.
Role, level and location
Check the designation, the grade or level, and the work location. If the letter says the location is subject to business needs, assume you may be posted anywhere the company operates.
Compensation
- CTC is the total cost to the company, which can include components you do not receive monthly, such as employer provident fund contributions, gratuity, insurance, or performance pay.
- Fixed pay is what forms your monthly salary before tax and deductions.
- Variable pay depends on performance and may not be paid in full.
Ask for a salary breakup if the letter gives only a CTC figure, and calculate your expected monthly in hand amount.
Joining date and conditions
Many large employers onboard freshers in batches. Cognizant, for example, notes that joining dates are set in batches based on business demand. Check whether the offer depends on conditions such as clearing all semesters, submitting final mark sheets by a deadline, passing pre joining training, or a background check.
Probation
Freshers are usually on probation for a set period. Check its length, the notice period during probation, and whether confirmation depends on an assessment.
Notice period
Check how much notice you must give to resign after confirmation, and whether the company can pay or deduct salary instead of notice.
Step 3: Read the service agreement or bond carefully
Some employers ask freshers to sign a service agreement, commonly called a bond. Others, such as Cognizant for its GenC programme, state that they have no service bonds. If your offer includes one, read these points closely.
- Duration. How many months or years are you committing to?
- Amount. How much would you have to pay if you leave before the end?
- Basis. Is the amount linked to the cost of training, or is it a flat figure?
- Reduction over time. Does the amount fall as you complete more months of service?
- Triggers. Does it apply only if you resign, or also if you are terminated?
- Documents. Does the company ask you to deposit original certificates?
Two general points are worth knowing. First, an amount that looks like a penalty rather than a reasonable recovery of costs is often questioned, and the outcome of any dispute depends on its facts. Second, withholding original educational certificates is a practice many students find hard to challenge once they have joined. If an employer asks for originals to be kept, ask in writing how and when they will be returned, or request to submit attested copies instead.
If any clause is unclear, ask HR to explain it in writing before you sign. A genuine employer will answer.
Step 4: Questions to ask HR before you sign
Send these by email so you have a written record.
Could you share the monthly salary breakup, including fixed and variable components?
Is there a service agreement for this role? If yes, could you share its duration and amount before I sign?
Is my joining date confirmed, or will it be communicated later?
Will I need to submit original certificates? If so, when will they be returned?
What are the notice periods during and after probation?
Keep your tone polite and specific. Asking about terms is normal, and it does not put an offer at risk with a reputable company.
Step 5: Comparing two offers
If you hold more than one offer, compare them on the same basis:
| Factor | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed monthly pay | ||
| Variable pay | ||
| Location | ||
| Service agreement | ||
| Joining date | ||
| Role and technology | ||
| Training quality |
A slightly lower fixed salary with no bond, a confirmed joining date and work in your chosen technology is often the better start. Think about where you want to be in two years, not only in the first month.
Before you resign from another offer
Do not decline one offer until the other is confirmed in writing with a joining date. If you decline, do it politely by email. The industry is smaller than it looks, and you may apply to the same company later.
While you wait to join, use the time well. Strengthen the skills your new role needs, or explore the jobs board if your joining date is uncertain and you want to keep options open.
What to do before you sign
Verify the sender and the channel, ask for the salary breakup, read every line of any service agreement, and send your questions to HR in writing. Sign only when you understand what you are agreeing to.
Sources: Recruitment fraud and hiring pages of TCS, Cognizant, Capgemini, HCLTech and Tech Mahindra. Details checked on 1 November 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice.