How to Turn Down a Job Offer
It happens: Sometimes you apply for a job that you later on realize is not the one you really want. When a job is offered to you but you must decline, it’s proper to communicate it so respectfully. Here are the steps to turn down a job offer respectfully and gracefully.
Re-evaluate your decision to decline this job offer. If necessary, draw up a list of pros and cons comparing your current job to the job being offered to you. Think about your long-term career goals, salary, benefits, career advancement and other pressing issues when it comes to jobs.
Once you’ve made the decision to turn down the offer, inform the concerned company immediately. This is the only courteous way to do it, so the company won’t waste time looking for another person they want to hire.
List the reasons why you intend to turn down the job offer. Don’t be embarrassed to say the salary rate and other factors is a problem. The company may offer a bigger salary in turn.
Call up the Human Resource personnel in charge of your application/job offer, usually the one who sent you the job offer letter. What do you say? Simply say, “Hello, my name is John Smith. I received a job offer letter from your office and was informed to contact you. I must respectfully decline your offer for reasons of (state your reason)…I’m very sorry to turn down your offer, but extenuating circumstances have led to this decision. Your company is very impressive and I hope that I will still have an opportunity to work with the company in the future.” Keep it short, concise and sweet. You still have that formal letter to write later.
Make your tone friendly and regretful when making that phone call. You don’t want to burn bridges. Who knows, you may want to work in that company in the future.
Writing the Rejection Letter
After the phone call, make sure that you follow up with a rejection letter within the week. This is done for formality’s sake and to ensure that the company has a formal document of your turning down the job. Here’s a template.
Rejection Letter Template
Ms. Anna Boleyn
Human Resources
Jane Apparel and Clothing Inc.,
12 Seymour St., Las Vegas, Nevada
Dear Ms. Boleyn:
Jane Apparel and Clothing Inc., its people and the effort you put in to educate me on your company’s goals, mission and vision impresses me so much. I would like to thank the company for extending the opportunity to become their Junior Retail Manager.
As I deliberate on my career objectives at this time, I must respectfully decline your offer so you can identify another qualified candidate to help you reach your goals.
I am very sorry to turn down your request at this time. I want you to know that the company, its team, its focus, its positive and professional outlook impressed me deeply. I hope we can continue to network together. I am thankful for your thoughtful comments and understanding towards me, my career and sensitivity to my family and personal needs in this process.
Thank you again for your generous time and consideration.
Regards,
Katherine Howard
Other Considerations
You may or may not reiterate your specific reasons for turning the job offer, such as salary, benefits and other such considerations. It is to be assumed that you already did so with the first telephone call to turn down the job. However, there is nothing wrong with repeating it again.