How To Politely Turn Down a Job Offer
Turning down a job offer could be difficult. Simply, because, you and the company have invested a lot of time and effort in the process. In some cases, you may have already started discussions with the new team on initiatives you would be involved with. Now, it may feel awkward to decline the offer after crossing the finish line.
There could be multiple reasons for turning down a job offer – You have received another offer or multiple offers now and wish to go for the best one while declining the others. You discovered something about the role, company, future manager that made you reconsider the decision. Or your current company did something to retain you and you decided to stay back.
Whatever be your reason for turning down a job offer, here are some tips on how to go about:
Be prompt with your refusal
Procrastinating about telling the company does not help. It wastes both yours and the company’s time and it looks unprofessional.
- Do not wait until the last moment to drop in your letter so that both you and the company could move forward.
- In many cases, the candidates tell the company on the day of joining or worse still just don’t show up and give some generic excuse when contacted.
There would be very rare scenarios that you make up your mind on the day of joining. To be fair to the company and let them know as soon as possible
Be brief and diplomatic
The reason for your refusal could be anything, be it less than satisfactory compensation, a different position than you wished for, or something else. You can choose not to reveal the exact reason and just say you have decided to stay back at your company or accepted another opportunity. Companies understand this as they know people do look for multiple opportunities simultaneously.
This also avoids bitterness over issues like low compensation. But do understand that the recruiter/hiring manager was counting on you to join and this change in plan is going to affect them and not you. So even if the other party gets angry/irritated you should be as diplomatic as possible.
Be respectful and express gratitude
Even though you have chosen to decline the offer, the fact is that they did offer you a position in their firm. Thank them for their time and their consideration.
This simple show of courtesy goes a long way in establishing your own professional credentials. It also leaves a door open for future employment opportunities with the employer.
Some firms like Google might even allow you to skip the telephone screening rounds if you had an offer from them in the last few years and are applying again.
Try to Stay connected
Connect with the hiring manager on LinkedIn. This helps in two ways:
- It helps to foster connections which may be helpful in future
- They might approach you again if they find a position suitable to your exact needs.
Send an email
After you have a face to face or phone conversation with the hiring team also send an email. It makes the recruiter/hiring manager’s life also a little easier as there is no ambiguity that you are holding on for more salary negotiation etc. A polite and courteous behavior is the hallmark of a true professional and it will hold you in good stead even when you are refusing an offer.
The aim is to have a productive conversation with a company and if turning down a job offer is part of that conversation then that could be done graciously as well.
Sample emails for turning down a job offer
Example 1 -If you have accepted a position with another company
Subject line: Job offer – Neha Mehta|| Senior Manager
Hello Mrs. Anu,
Thank you so much for offering me the position of Senior Manager at Tata Consultancy Services. Unfortunately, I will not be able to take up the position as I have accepted a position with another company.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to interview me and to share information on the opportunity and your company.
Again, thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Neha Mehta
Example 2 - If your goals and company goals do not match
Subject line: Job offer – Neha Mehta|| Senior Manager
Hello Mrs. Anu,
Thank you so much for offering me the position of Senior Manager at Tata Consultancy Services. It was a difficult decision for me. But I am really sorry to inform you that I will not be accepting the position as it does not fit the path I am taking to achieve my career goals.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to interview me and to share information on the opportunity and your company.
Again, thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Neha Mehta
Example 3-If the job offer doesn't meet your salary expectation
Subject line: Job offer – Neha Mehta|| Senior Manager
Hello Mrs. Anu,
Thank you so much for offering me the position of Senior Manager at Tata Consultancy Services. But after carefully considering the salary stated in the earlier email, I'm afraid the salary is not in line with my needs or expectations at this time.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to interview me and to share information on the opportunity and your company. As such, arriving at this decision was difficult for me.
If anything changes with your compensation structure in the near future, or if there is a higher earning position you think I might be qualified for, I would love to be considered for future opportunities.
Again, thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Neha Mehta