Just this weekend, I was catching up on a friend. She’s looking for a new job, just like many others.
She is fortunate to have a steady job, but she would like to be better positioned with an eye toward her career.
She was recently offered a new position with her current company. She is still applying for two internal jobs and also looking to interview externally. She’ll probably have declined more job offers by the end of the month. She’s looking for the best career opportunity.
It’s a candidate market with 10.9 million jobs available and only 6.5 million unemployed Americans. Employers are looking for the best talent and trying to retain and grow their employees.
It’s not unusual for candidates to be offered multiple jobs in this talent-driven market. There are many reasons employees leave their jobs today. Candidates have many options, from flexibility and hybrid work to purposeful and open-ended work.
It’s both a sport and a dance, as well as an art and science. For job seekers, it means turning down other offers if they are not offered the best opportunities.
It’s not always easy to decline a job offer.
You may have spent weeks on a tedious interview process. You may have decided to accept another job that offers more possibilities. You might love the company’s culture, but it isn’t the right job for you. You might be interviewing hard, but your company offered a salary increase that you couldn’t refuse. If you’re like my friend, you may have multiple job opportunities.
You might not be able to accept a job offer for many reasons. However, careers can be long, and life can change quickly. Keep a relationship mindset in mind and not a transactional one. These are some of the things to consider when declining an offer.
How to politely decline an offer of a job
You’re in a situation where you have to decline a job offer. Let’s talk about some ways to politely decline a job offer.
1. You must decline the offer
First, and most importantly, ensure you are ready to say no. It’s a major life change.
All factors should be considered when deciding whether to decline a job offer. What if your salary or pay were to increase? What would the impact of accepting (or refusing) your job be on your mental health? How about flexible work arrangements and remote or hybrid options? Are you looking to grow within the company? Are your values in line with company values?
When evaluating a career move, I made a list of all the pros and cons and what I needed in my personal and professional lives. To determine if a job is right for me, it was helpful to see a written evaluation.
Working one-on-one might be a good idea. Coaching can be a great way to help you make better decisions and push you in new ways. You can make confident decisions with personalized coaching. A new career can bring a whole new set of opportunities and challenges.
Before you say no, make sure you are certain. You often don’t have much wiggle room to change your mind.
2. Show gratitude and appreciation
Interviewing can be a time-consuming and difficult process. You can be sure that many people spent a lot of time during your interview process. It takes a lot to recruit — from phone screens and resumes to interview panels to screening sample projects to vetting them. The company offering you a job is enthusiastic about you and ready (and hopeful!) for you to join their team.
Show appreciation and gratitude for your declination. Thank the recruiting team and the hiring team for their thoughtfulness and time. Sharing what you have learned during the process is a good idea. You’re showing your appreciation and share your learnings with the company.
3. Networking is a great way to stay connected
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I received from mentors was: “You will never know when your paths cross in the future.”
Timing is often everything. You could interview for a job at your dream company, but not one you are excited about. You might be looking for a new position in a different region or country.
No matter the situation, you can view the opportunity as a network of potential future opportunities. You don’t have to leave the company because you say no to a job offer.
4. Explain your decision
It won’t suffice to say, “I’m not interested in this opportunity.” It’s crucial to clearly explain your decision, especially if you are interested in keeping the networking doors open. This is especially true if you are not sure about the role. New roles could arise.
While transparency is important, you don’t have to be open about your details. Let’s say, for example, that you decline a job because of a better offer. You could have a new opportunity with more flexibility, growth, and compensation. It is OK to share this information with the recruiter.
You may need to relocate to a different area to care for a sick family member, and you will need to find a job. You are free to make your own decisions about your career, personal life, and plans. It’s your decision.
Companies may not be able to see that their job offers don’t compare with others on the market. Companies need to understand the logic behind declinations. They can use this information to improve their hiring practices by gathering feedback.
Three email examples of declining a job offer.
Once you have decided to decline an offer, it is time to let them know. Many people will use a combination of email and phone calls to let them know their decision. Others may opt for a deeper conversation. People are busy. The hiring manager can immediately be notified by email that the position is not closed and they are looking for other qualified candidates.
Your declination email may look different depending on the situation. These three job rejection letter templates will help you craft your email.
After much thought, I’ve made a difficult decision. Even though it is intriguing, I must decline this opportunity. These are my career goals and aspirations. I have accepted a position more aligned with my professional career goals.
I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you and your team. After careful consideration, however, I have concluded that this opportunity is not the best fit for me.
I am grateful for your offer and would like to thank you for the opportunity to meet with me. I wish you every success in finding the perfect candidate for this position.
I am grateful for your offer and would like to thank you for the opportunity to meet with me. I wish you every success in finding the perfect candidate for this position.
Timing is everything, as we mentioned previously.
We show up at work as whole people when we show up. Sometimes life can get messy. It can be a difficult and confusing process to search for a job. Sometimes, a career shift is not the best decision.
You should first reach out to your support network to get career advice and feedback. It might be a mentor, friend, or colleague. Others might work with a coach for professional and personal development.
It’s OK to decide that the timing is not right. Two key elements must be communicated to the offer company.
Maintaining a relationship is important. You should be open about what kind of relationship you want to keep. You should have established a solid relationship with the hiring manager or the recruiting team at this point in your job search.
Thank them for the investment in your relationship. You desire to keep the relationship going. Connect with them on LinkedIn.
To check in on how things are going, you can always call the recruiter or hiring manager now and again. You can express your interest in the company or the team and remind them that you are ready to jump if the timing is right.
You would like to be considered for potential future opportunities. A job offer can be declined without a complete shut door. It can be a difficult dance. In your declination email, be sure to reiterate your transferable skills, core values, and overall career goals.
Think about the viewpoint of the offering company. They will almost certainly want to hire someone willing to work for the company for a long time. They will likely want to hire someone eager to learn and grow in the company. They will likely want new hires to bring and add value.
Make sure you reiterate your interest in future opportunities. It should be tied back to the mutual needs. You can work with your mentor or coach for the best career advice.
You are ready for your next move.
Your career path is yours. The hiring process and the job interview are not easy tasks.
Even if the job is not for you, it should make you proud. You are likely to be a valuable asset to any potential employer.