Hi Bill:  Here is an offer letter I particularly like.  The tone is wonderful and there isn't too much legalese.  I have, of course, edited it:

May 30, 2012

Private & Confidential                                                        

[Candidate name]

Congratulations, you made it!

[Candidate Name]

Getting the right fit is rare, so whenever we find someone we believe to be a true [Company Name in a familiar tense} we want them to join our team…so we are delighted to confirm with you our offer of employment as [title and company and location].

We would like to offer you a semi-monthly salary of $5,833.33, which equates to $140,000 per annum.

It is our sincere hope that we’ll be welcoming you onboard as a valued full-time [Company name in familiar tense] joining our vibrant team of great global talent. On your acceptance of the role, we’ll need you to sign our “all-in-one” confidentiality, non-competition and assignment agreement (which is enclosed). You will need to sign both copies, returning one copy to me.

Our benefits package is under constant review and below is just a snapshot of what is currently on offer, some of which you need to have been with us for up to 90 days to secure.

.               Health care – Eligible 1st day of month following start date

.               Dental/Vision Care – Eligible 1st day of month following start date

.               Flexible Spending Account – Eligible 1st day of month following start date

.               Annual Vacation leave – 18 days prorated for calendar year 2012 based on start date

.               Employer paid 1x Salary Life Insurance Coverage – Eligible 1st day of month following start 
date

.               401K with Employer Match – Eligible 90 days after start date

.               Pre-Tax Transit Benefit – Eligible 30 days after start date

.               10 national holidays where the office is dark and your day is bright

.               The morning off after your birthday so you can enjoy your hangover

.               4 half-day Summer Fridays – take them anytime between Memorial Day and Labor Day

We adhere to a policy of employment-at-will, which allows either party to terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice.

Should you decide to resign your employment with us (for any reason), you agree to provide at least four (4) weeks’ notice advance, written notice prior to the effective date of your resignation.  We also have a severance policy, which can provide you with two (2) weeks’ notice of termination of your employment.

You acknowledge and agree that these notice periods are reasonable and necessary so that we can replace you without jeopardizing our success or client relationships.  As a result, we also have the right at any time during the applicable notice period to (i) reduce or change your title and/or responsibilities, (ii) relieve you of your offices, duties and responsibilities and place you on a paid leave of absence, and/or (iii) waive any or all of the applicable notice period without any further obligations to you, including but not limited to, making any payments to you in lieu of notice.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call, email, skype, poke, nudge, wink at or holler at me.

We are on a thrilling journey and hope that very soon you will be sharing it with us. We look forward to hearing your decision soon.

Yours sincerely