After weeks of soul searching and research, you found the dream job and had your heart set on it. During the interview, the hiring manager was captivated by you– you killed it, and were offered the position. Obviously, you jumped on the opportunity! You worked really hard to land this job! Everything is peachy keen until the unexpected happens and suddenly you are not in a position to take up the job offer anymore.
First of all – don’t stress. This happens all the time. Consider the following scenarios:
- You were turned down from your first choice, but shortly received a call from the hiring manager who explained that the candidate they initially chose was no longer available… now they want you.
- You randomly come across a job advertisement that sounds so much better than the job you were just offered… you proceed with the interview on a whim, and it turns out they want to hire you too.
- A major life event occurs and you need to change location or your career direction, fast.
- You discover more information about the position or company and, then, you’re not so happy about the job. Rumour is that the boss is a slave- driver, or the company’s success has been really low lately.
- You are going through a midlife crisis, an unexpected epiphany – you realize that this job is just not right for you.
Whatever the reason, turning down a job you’ve already confirmed is never ideal. However, if you know with certainty that you can’t follow through, here are a few tips to turn down the offer and hopefully maintain a positive relationship with the employer.
Don’t Wait – Let your employer know as soon as you realize that you no longer need the job. The sooner you let them know, the sooner they can start looking for your replacement. If only a couple of days have passed since you accepted the job offer, you may find yourself not wanting to bother, but it is definitely good manners to do so, especially since the employer has already invested time and money into giving you the job.
Be honest but tactful – Let the employer know why you changed your mind, but do so without offending them or the company. If you don’t think you’ll get along with other employees, simply say you don’t think you fit in with the company culture. If you found a job you are much more interested in, explain that you were offered a job that is more appropriate to your skill set. The best way to handle an awkward situation like this is to make sure all your interactions with the hiring manager are professional and polite, so don’t give any negative comments about the employer or the company.
Do it in person or over the phone – Let’s be honest here, confrontation can be intimidating and uncomfortable in general. If you’re more comfortable with a phone call, that is totally okay. Just don’t email or utilize social media to inform the employer of your decision. Own up to your decision and express your regret in inconveniencing them. It is also beneficial to mention some positive factors about the company that you noticed during your recruitment process. Don’t forget to mention your appreciation for those. Focus on explaining that turning down the job was a really tough decision. It’s always best not to burn bridges with any employer – you never know if you will work with them in the future. Once you’ve told the employer face to face or over the phone, you could follow this up with a formal letter.
Know your bottom line – The person who hired you may try to negotiate with you in a final attempt to change your mind and get you to stay. Before you approach them, determine what your bottom line will be. Would you keep the job for more pay or other benefits? If you decide you do not want to negotiate, be clear about this with the employer if they start to guide the conversation towards that direction.
Last but not least, do not feel guilty about your decision. The amount of money the company has invested in you thus far is insignificant when compared to the amount of money they would have invested and lost if you would have left after a few weeks of induction and training.
Think positively and act honestly. If you have a good reason, the hiring manager is likely to understand. Do your best to leave the employer on good terms and you’ll have a handy contact in your network.
If you’re thinking about a career change or ready to start looking for a new challenge, start with Adzuna. 3+ million unique job ads await!