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You went through the interview phases for a job and you get an offer, but after you formally accepted the offer, you change your mind and now have to decline.
Don't panic. It happens! You need only be professional about it.
It might be after reading the final details of the job offer, receiving a more compelling offer elsewhere, or reading past employees' reviews on Glassdoor that you are convinced that the new job will not provide what you're looking for.
In such cases, knowing how to take back your initial acceptance of the offer is an essential skill.
It requires careful consideration, especially if it means declining a job offer after accepting – especially if it was for what you thought was your dream job.
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Here are some things to do when navigating this situation:
It is best to let the employer know that you changed your mind as soon as you make the decision. Ideally, communicate within 24-48 hours after you've decided. Don't wait until you feel like you're too far in to take action.
This step lets you act quickly while keeping a strategic outlook of your next steps in mind.
You'll want to make this decision while remaining objective, so consider the following:
This list is by no means comprehensive, however, taking a few seconds to consider such factors will make it easier to process your decision to decline a job.
Declining an offer you've accepted can have legal repercussions, so it is prudent to carefully read your employment contract.
Several clauses could require you to commit to the new job and or require that, if you have to leave, you must pay some money in lieu of serving your notice period. This is because a recruitment process is often an expensive affair for the company, costing as much as $4700 per hire.
This step lets you mitigate or avoid any financial penalties or any legal actions by your potential employer that could negatively impact your professional life down the line.
For instance, if you have already signed an employment contract, there could be a narrow window where you can decline the offer after accepting. There might also be language explaining how you have to give notice before leaving to avoid legal implications.
Expressing gratitude when rejecting a job offer is not only polite and professional, it also helps you maintain a positive relationship with the hiring manager.
This lets you cultivate a long-term relationship with the hiring team and can leave the door open for further opportunities.
Likely, your hiring manager anticipates this as a possible outcome in the recruitment process, and will quickly move to the next candidate.
Additionally, expressing gratitude acknowledges the efforts of the hiring manager and the hiring team. They took time to review your application, interview you, and present you with a job offer.
Above all else, it is important to know that the job market is smaller than we think. There are several networks and hiring teams typically cross paths and share knowledge.
Taking a few seconds to express gratitude will leave a positive impression and this might open up new opportunities.
It can be difficult to come up with the right words to decline a job offer that you've accepted, but honesty and straightforwardness toward your would-be employer benefit both you and the hiring manager or team.
Being honest with yourself lets you achieve clarity on where to go next professionally and which future endeavors are the right fit for you.
On the employer's side, honesty and straightforwardness save a lot of time and money.
They typically spend a lot of money on the hiring process and a few seconds to politely decline a job offer is a great way to save them resources and time.
An example of honesty can include: "Another opportunity arose and given the terms of service they offer, after much deliberation, I have decided to accept their proposal."
Whichever way you cut it, declining a job offer after accepting will cause inconvenience to your would-be employer.
Whether due to a family emergency, personal reasons, evidence of a poor work environment, or you've changed your mind and don't want to move to a different city, a few seconds to deliver an apology message goes a long way.
Apologizing is important for the following reasons:
Above all, an apology hits at the basic emotions of any human and will most likely result in an amicable separation from the company. Don't wait to apologize until you hear that someone was annoyed or irritated.
As much as possible, make a thoughtful effort to preserve the relationship you have established with the hiring manager or team.
It is one of the key pillars of building your professional network.
Hiring managers are key players in these networks as they have extensive connections within the job market.
A good example of communication without burning bridges can include:
"I was quite impressed with the interview process and dedication of your team. I enjoyed speaking with you and the others involved in the process. If any opportunities arise in the future that align more closely with my current goals, I'd be very interested in hearing from you again."
Speaking directly with your employer in person or via phone is the best way to communicate your decision not to accept the job offer.
Direct communication lets you explain yourself clearly and elevates the chances of maintaining a positive relationship.
If for any reason you can't communicate directly, write a formal letter or email.
Written confirmation of your decision also leaves a record of your decision to decline the job offer.
Keep any written communication formal and brief like any other business communication.
If you choose to decline a job offer you've accepted, your prospective employer might try to negotiate and get you to accept, especially if they believe you are the ideal candidate for the position.
For this reason, it is crucial to know where you stand, and why you made the decision to decline. You might also want to think about what, if anything, they could say that would make your change your mind. You can then use this as a bargaining chip if the company becomes adamant in bringing you on board.
Think through the following:
Do you need more money?
Are you the perfect candidate for a different job within the same company?
Will you still be interested in the same job if given a chance to work from home?
Would you like a different job title?
These examples are just a small list of things that might give you second thoughts.
Knowing the answer to these questions lets you know where you stand. You need to get clarity on if you absolutely want to decline the offer you already accepted or if there are things they could offer that would lead you to change your mind upon further consideration. It may be that this offer was only their first offer and something can be improved. If you have that hope, you can also voice it to attempt a negotiation.
No matter what your reason is for rejecting a job offer, keep your explanation brief. Ideally, your explanation should only last a few seconds.
You don't have to give a detailed explanation as you are already leaving the company. Don't start piling on reasons why you want to go.
Declining a previously accepted job is difficult and everyone should limit their words to avoid confusion.
Below we have included a sample email you can use as a template in this situation.
After you successfully decline the job offer, take a few seconds to rethink your career path to prevent it from happening again.
You can chalk it up to a personal reason or other pertinent issues but frequent issues of this nature will damage your reputation among recruiters.
If you successfully perform an analysis of what caused you to decline the job offer, it will only take you a few seconds in the future to know what is right for you.
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Here is a sample email you can use when declining a job offer already accepted:
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Here are reasons why you may be compelled to decline a job offer you already accepted:
It doesn't matter what the job is, your life should come first. It is perfectly acceptable to decline a job that adversely affects your work-life balance.
For instance, if the new job moves you far away from your family, requires you to work night shifts, has a long commute, or interferes with your personal life, you may find it is not in alignment with your values.
These reasons will adversely affect your work, including your productivity and workplace relationships. Once they become apparent to you, you may take a few seconds to consider if there is an acceptable remedy that would allow you to say. If now, however, they are justifiable reasons to decline a job offer.
These reasons include a wide variety of issues such as family or financial situations that affect you on a personal level. They are some of the most powerful reasons to decline a job.
Poor or unsatisfactory working conditions only become apparent after you have signed a job contract.
Working conditions that breach standards of safety, expose workers to excessive noise, or have poor management practices are some of the reasons one can decline a job offer.
This is another problem that may only present itself once you have already started working for an organization.
A lack of career growth opportunities often springs from poor prevailing economic conditions, workplace discrimination, limited networking opportunities, industry disruption, geographical limitations, or skills mismatch.
Once you spot barriers to your career growth, it is wise to decline the job offer and seek out new opportunities. You don't want to be stuck in your current role forever, so be aware of what you can leverage as as stepping stone or where you might be too limited.
Company culture affects performance, morale, and almost every other metric that defines you as a professional.
With the right company culture, you will thrive at work, but a poor company culture will result in poor morale, high turnover, resistance to change, and discrimination.
All these issues are serious and could result in a worker declining a position they have already accepted.
Modern recruitment processes often involve several steps such as screening and initial processing, interviewing candidates, assessment and selection, offers and negotiations, onboarding and training, and final feedback.
At any stage of this elaborate process, one can develop reservations towards the recruiting agency or company and feel the need decline the job offer.
Workplace flexibility is a wide umbrella that covers work hours, working location, travel requirements, or hybrid work.
The right balance benefits both the worker and employer, but an inflexible work arrangement might lead the worker to decline the job offered.
Sometimes the job recruitment process is convoluted and doesn't fully present the full extent of responsibilities. You may start to feel that you were not actually a suitable candidate for the role.
When confronted with such a situation, you could acknowledge your limitations, seek guidance, and learn as you go. Advocating for resources, mentorship, or additional training can help you not only fill in skills or knowledge gap, but also gain confidence.
However, if you cannot go down that route, you may have to decide to go.
Declining the job offer lets you keep your integrity and focus on what you are truly qualified for.
Personal values are more important than any job. They are the compass that guides one's life journey.
In the grand scheme of things, personal values are the principles and beliefs that resonate the most with us. They are fundamentally worthwhile and encompass a wide range of ideals that range from integrity, honesty, compassion, empathy, as well as things like work-life balance, time management, and relationships.
Jobs that respect your personal beliefs and values will result in constant motivation, creativity, and help you cultivate traits that help you grow.
On the other hand, jobs that conflict with personal values will kill your motivation and are a legitimate reason to decline a job offer.
Receiving a more attractive offer elsewhere with a potentially more competitive salary is a good problem to have but it presents a unique set of issues. You can resign and hope for the best but you may risk getting a poor reputation with recruiters or the company you leave.
You must handle the move to better opportunities at the new company with care and professionalism.
With such a compelling reason, it is important to have the correct strategy so you can maintain professionalism while preserving relationships with hiring managers.
Knowing how to say no is an invaluable skill that cuts extends beyond the current job search.
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One of the cornerstones of a great professional is the art of communication. If you find yourself in a position to decline a job offer, it helps if you know how to communicate well: tone, timing, channel, etc.
At Highrise, we offer comprehensive leadership development for growth-minded professionals in fast-paced industries. Join our community of professionals today and learn how you can accelerate your career.
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