Turning Down a Job Offer
The idea of turning down a job offer is not something you often hear in the career world. The majority of content you will read online mostly focusses on all the strategies to LAND a job offer (well first get the interview and then LAND the offer).
So what would be some of the reasons you may not want to accept the job offer - especially if you have been out of work for a while, are starting to panic and have lost confidence that you may even get another opportunity like the one that popped up in your email this morn?
Below are some reasons you should pay attention to - with the following caveat in mind:
I always tell my clients that you are 100% in the drivers seat when looking for a job and you are also in a position of power interviewing the company and hiring team
Most people do not approach their search this way and take a more passive role, feeling at the mercy of the hiring team as opposed to being in control of the ride
You may not be able to control IF they hire you but you sure as hell can be in control of ensuring that this would be a good fit for you
In the end if you did all your due diligence and determined that the company and culture was in alignment with your personal and career goals and YOU DID NOT get offered the job, just remember that you are getting closer and feel proud that you worked so good to find a fit
It may be a bitter pill to swallow at that point but you are on the right path!
Here are some key reasons to turn down a job offer:
You have accepted another job
The corporate culture does not feel right
The terms of the offer are not satisfactory
You did not get a good vibe from your potential new boss
The work is not interesting or too challenging or too easy
The commute sucks - is too far away, too challenging etc
So how do you graciously turn down a job offer:
Stop and take a deep breath and DO NOT burn any bridges - you do not want to potentially loose any opportunities for the future with the HR person, hiring manager or even company as you never know when your paths may cross again
It is reasonable to take 1-2 days to consider the offer and make your decision but do not wait too long
Decide and let the employer know as soon as possible - it is only fair to them so they can continue their search and fill the position
Try to connect with the employer in person to let them know - be brief and upbeat and keep the doors open - you could say something like: “Thank you for your offer, I had to think about this because your company seems like a great place to work and I want you to know how much I appreciate all the effort you’ve made on my behalf to meet with me and answer all my questions. However after taking everything into account, I’ve decided to continue my search elsewhere at this time but would like to keep in touch.”
Remember you are looking for a job that is in alignment with what you WANT and what you NO LONGER want - so stay true to your values and pause - in that pause you can evaluate if this is the right thing to do or not. Often by accepting an offer that does not meet your personal and professional criteria you could be out looking for another job sooner that you bargained for and the challenging job search loop is back in action…not a pleasant thought!
I am always here if you want to talk - book a free Discovery Call with me - I would love to learn more about you and your story!
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