Yes, you read right. Turning Down a Job Offer.
Believe it or not, there are job hunters who, at this very minute, are struggling with this so-called “dilemma”.
Perhaps they applied for several jobs and received more than one offer. Or maybe they learned something about the prospective company or colleagues that turned them off to the opportunity. Maybe a family or personal situation changed their course temporarily. Whatever the case, this is actually a nerve-racking situation and it is vital that it is handled with tact and professionalism.
Done right, a rejection can actually build a bridge to a new and potentially valuable business relationships. Done wrong, declining a job could not only burn a bridge, but could reap havoc on a professional’s reputation, too.
Think about it. You apply to a job. A recruiter screened your resume, there was a phone or video introduction and on site interviews with several people.Feedback was collected and given to you. Perhaps there was even a committee meeting to determine compensation. And finally, an offer was presented to you.
People have invested a lot of time and energy in getting to know you. They want YOU. YOU hold quite a lot of power at this moment. Don’t blow it by being insensitive or greedy. First and foremost, if you have no intention of accepting the job LET HR KNOW IMMEDIATELY. Don’t waste any more of their time.
Now that we’ve made that clear, let’s move on to the more delicate details. Here they are: The 3 Things You Must Say When Turning Down a Job Offer
1) THANKS!: Regardless of whether the HR or the Hiring Manager extended the offer, be sure to reach out VERBALLY (not in writing) to both to communicate your appreciation for their time and their offer. Let them know that you have given the situation much consideration. Don’t criticize any part of their offer or their organization.
2) LET ME EXPLAIN … (Choose from one of the five explanations below)
a) IT’S A PERSONAL MATTER!
Perhaps the commute is 60 miles in each direction. Or maybe a parent has taken ill. Whatever the case, an honest and straightforward explanation is the very least you can provide. “I would love to take the job but unfortunately …”
b) IT’S A FINANCIAL ISSUE.
You might want to say, “I would love to take the job but I am just not comfortable with the salary.” ONLY mention this if it is true. There is always a chance that the employer will want to re-negotiate the offer. If you are not willing to take the job at a higher salary, don’t discuss the compensation.
c) THE JOB DOESN’T ALIGN WITH MY GOALS.
If you have concerns that the job is low-visibility or you don’t see a career path at the position, just be honest. “Ultimately, my goal is to manage a group of analysts. I don’t think this position will give me the experience I’ll need to reach this goal.”
d) IT’S A CORPORATE CULTURE THING.
Have you heard rumors of back-stabbing? Is the head of the department nick-named “Cruella DeVille”? Keep this information to yourself. And try to find a more professional excuse. Say, “I would prefer to work for a privatly-held company”, or “I’m looking for a more entrepreneurial opportunity.” Blame it on the corporate structure, not the people.
e) I GOT ANOTHER OFFER.
If you have a better offer, be honest. Using the strategies above, define the reason the other offer is better suited to your needs/goals. And NEVER EVER accept both offers.
3) I’D LIKE TO HELP YOU FIND ANOTHER CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB.
Yes. You read that right. You should offer to do something nice for the HR person or the Hiring Manager. Or both of them. This is an extremely valuable opportunity for YOU to build some potentially valuable professional relationships. So go out of your way to be of service to these folks. Remember, the recruiter you just turned down may one day work for the company of your dreams. The same holds true for the Hiring Manager. Do everything you can to support them in their efforts. Think about Karma: What goes around comes around. Add them to your “circle of influence” and stay in touch. As time goes by, your paths may cross again.
Have you ever had to turn down a job? Do you have advice for those who find themselves in this situation? Please add your comments below!
I had to turn down a dream job offer due to a change in life focus (family business expansion) and an accommodating counter offer from my current employer. I was completely honest with the recruiter about the family business and from the minute I received the counter offer. I asked for several days to think it over. I decided to stay with my current job since the increase in $$ and decrease in hours would allow me to focus on growing our family business. I followed the advice from this article and the final conversation with the recruiter went very well. She understood my situation and said she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend me for a position in the future.
I believe complete honesty and timeliness is crucial to retain a good reputation when turning down a job offer.
Remarkable! Its genuinely remarkable paragraph, I have got much clear
idea on the topic of from this post.
What if you haven’t had an in person interview yet but a small phone interview. Say the person wanted you to come in and you agreed. Then shortly after you found out you wouldn’t be able to take the job because you did not have transportation. Do you call and decline or do you go to the interview and say it in person?
Love this and I am going to say this as I am turning down the contract job which is paying 30% more than what I am earning due to unforeseen personal family issues.. Excellent article and it helped me to relive my mental stress I am go going through these days
Very good advice, especially #3.
Thank you for this really clear tips. Will be following these very soon. Fingers crossed! 🙂
Thanks for the great & helpful advice It has helped with my decision.
Thank you for the advice, I think that this will help me to feel confident with turning down an offer for less money. Discussing money can be difficult at times.
I had an interview and I got a job offer and the next day I find out that my ex boyfriend works there. I really want to accept the job but it would be somewhat unprofessional. I don’t know what to say to the recruiter now after she did 2 interviews and worked so hard and made the decision to pick me. me and the ex boyfriend started talking again recently but i had no clue he was working there.
I recently had to make the hard decision of turning down a job offer in construction with an independent limited company , and it was a company i wanted to work for as they hardly advertise for staff would have been a good career boost for experience,
It was a short project, applied on may 4th they offered me the job May 5th managing director gave me a lenthy email regarding the position, salary, work hours, clothing requirements , management contact etc for a start / end date May 11 th to 30th may, but I had to give 2 weeks notice at my current employment therefore couldn’t start may 11th
I emailed the managing director a day after with my decision for turning it down
due to notice period requirements , the managing director understood my decision but I guess the managing director couldn’t give me another start date or waite for me or offer me another project,
they was advertising for staff for another another project the same time in may with an end date of august, but it was not really commutable for me , but it would have been nice to be asked if I was
interested in working on that project as I couldn’t start on the other project
Made me think was the managing director really interested in me in the first place,? If they couldn’t offer me nothing else? was i that much of a waste of space and inconvenience?
hope I didn’t burn any bridges I do hope to work with them in the future when they advertise again.
I just started on this job that i didn’t really want, it was my backup. But now, the place i originally applied for has offered me the job. I want to leave my current job to go there, but i feel bad wasting their time