Declining a Job Offer

Seldom do you have a plan in mind for the order in which you are going to accept or reject offers received from multiple companies.

To get some quick tips on how to choose the right job offer, refer to this link https://www.cpacareermentor.com/articles/job-seeking/how-to-choose-the-right-job-offer .

Once you have decided, it is always advisable to write a letter than to verbally communicate your apologies for not being able to accept an offer. Having said that, let’s not assume it’s going to be all hunky-dory just because you are rejecting the offer via a letter or email instead of doing it verbally.

For a hiring manager, it’s probably about starting the process all over again.😥.

An email just helps to complete the feelings and expressions without being interrupted by an emotional outburst or being hung up on.

After all, you don’t want to burn the bridge, in case you want to travel back again.

Although it’s never easy to decline an offer, yet we must strive to not sound brash, to say the least.

Let’s walk through some of the points to remember, when saying a “NO”: 👇

1. Be on time- Timeliness is the mark of a responsible conduct. Undoubtedly it is our responsibility to be on time, nonetheless it is a quality much ignored by many. Any act loses its charms if not performed within a certain period of time.

Therefore, as soon as you have made up your mind, ensure that you get back to your hiring manager with an official email. Doing so, you will be clearing up the path for the next eligible candidate while giving a heads up to the organization, without making them wait for much longer.

2. Be humble – It’s good to be direct but with elegance. You are certainly on cloud nine as you have received an offer that suits all your requirements. Yet you want to ensure that you don’t sound arrogant in rejecting the other one. Be considerate to the fact that the HR team has spent hours in checking your profile and interviewing you. Time is effort. Therefore, the least that you can do is to be polite.

Few examples of sentences that you may use are –

“I thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet you and your team. It was a joy being able to chat up about the latest trends in the industry and learning so much about your esteemed organization”

“Thank you for your time in meeting me over the last couple of weeks. It was a pleasure being able to see your premises and getting introduced to your team.”

3. Be concise and reasonable – You owe them at least one good reason for not being able to take up that offer. It is absolutely okay to not explain your decision but you can certainly tell them the reason courteously. It is also not necessary to get into the details of the offer that you have chosen over this one.

Citing a few examples,

If you have developed an amicable relation with the Hiring manager during the different rounds of interview with them, then you may choose to say something like this --

“Thank you for considering me for this position, however, I have decided to move on with another offer that seems more appropriate at this time. I regret nothing more than being unable to take this position up. Hoping you would understand and our paths meet again.”

Or you may just keep it simple and to the point –

“I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your offer at this time as I have accepted another one that is more befitting of my current situation. However, I want to let you know that I am extremely thankful for your presenting this offer and considering me for this position. I am hoping that we meet again and I get an opportunity to work with you on some other assignment in the future.”

Here is a template to help you to put it down in a mannerly fashion, 👇

28th October, 2018

Mr.ABC

Hiring manager,

XYZ company,

18th June Road,

Panjim, Goa- 403811

Dear Mr. ABC,

Thank you for your time in meeting me over the last couple of weeks. It was a pleasure being able to see your premises and getting introduced to your team. I am truly flattered on being offered this position. However, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept it at this time as I have agreed on another one that is more befitting of my current situation.

Nonetheless, I want you know once again that I am thankful for your presenting this offer. I am hoping that I get an opportunity to work with you and your wonderful team on some other assignment in the future.

Please feel free to ask me any questions in this regard.

Wishing your organization the very best with continued success.

Warm regards

Ryan Gosling

Why is it the right thing to do? 👍

Obviously because you cannot accept more than one offers at a time. Also, because you weighed the prospects and you found that the one you agreed upon is either your dream job or closer to it than the others. Writing a job rejection letter is indeed more difficult to do than to preach. A courteous letter of communication may leave a lasting impression. Although, it may not always pave the way for a comeback. But you must know that you are really good at what you do and that is why more than one company is wanting to hire you.

With that feeling, just go ahead and tell them in the nicest manner you can! 🙏