How to correctly refuse a job offer

Often, a job seeker considers several companies for employment at once. And if two or three of them are ready to invite him to work, someone will have to refuse. Let's figure out how to do this tactfully and in compliance with business ethics.

How to decline an interview invitation

Imagine that you are invited to an interview and you confirm the appointment. But then plans changed, and you no longer want to work for this company.

Of course, a candidate for a vacant position may simply not come to the office or not connect to a video meeting at the appointed time. The employer will understand that his offer is no longer relevant and will remove the applicant from the list. But you shouldn’t disappear silently, simply cutting off contact. This is not only incorrect, but also harmful to your career.

Yes, almost every job seeker has encountered less than polite recruiters. They did not respond to the resume sent and did not answer the questions asked. And after completing the test task, the dialogue was interrupted, leaving the applicant without feedback. But applicants, as a rule, do not like this treatment. And, if a person is looking for a job again, then the last place he will pay attention is to the company where they did not communicate with him very correctly.

However, recruiters may treat applicants for a position in their company the same way. If a person simply disappeared from the radar once and did not warn about a change in plans, he is unlikely to be invited to an interview a second time. In addition, the recruiter with whom the candidate spoke may move to another company. And refuse an impolite applicant at a new place of work.

Such situations also happen: the world of professionals is quite small, and hiring managers sometimes have good memories.

Therefore, you should not disappear without explanation. You may have already found a job or received a better offer. Warn the person you were communicating with that the situation has changed. Detailed explanations are unlikely to be needed - just say that found a job with higher pay or with tasks that seem more interesting to you. Thank them for their time and politely say goodbye.

It is better to send a message in writing - via instant messenger or mail. Do this no later than 1.5–2 hours before the intended meeting - then your interlocutor will be able to plan his day differently.

How to refuse a job offer after an interview

It’s no secret that during an interview, not only the company representative strives to get to know the candidate better—the applicant also tries to find out more about the future job. And understand how satisfied he is with the employer’s offer. In parallel, both sides can explore other options.

As a rule, there is a short pause before making a final decision. And if you think that there are more minuses in the offer than pluses, and do not want to wait for an official invitation to work, report this before the end of the time-out.

It is also better to do this in writing - by mail or via messenger. Use that communication channel. which the recruiter considers preferable. This way the employer will be able to find out about your decision immediately, without delay. And respond promptly - communicate with you again or contact the next candidate.

After the interview, it makes sense not to limit yourself to a brief refusal, but to write in more detail about what exactly you were not satisfied with.

For example, your employer insists that you come to the office twice a week, but this is inconvenient for you. You are going to visit relatives in another city in the near future, and then you are planning to move to the country, and therefore only remote work will suit you.

Write about this directly - perhaps the employer will adjust the requirements. And instead of spending two days in the office, he will ask you for a weekly report on completed tasks. Or he will insist on compulsory attendance only during the probationary period, and then will not object to remote.

It is better to indicate a specific reason - in this case there is always a chance to reach an agreement. But here’s what’s important: the message should not focus on the company’s shortcomings. Write only about your position: “it would be more convenient for me,” “it’s important for me,” “this condition does not suit me.”

Such formulations are unlikely to make the interlocutor want to immediately take a defensive position and defend the company from an outsider. This means there will be a greater chance of reaching an agreement.

If you can’t reach an agreement, you will clearly formulate for yourself the criteria that you consider important for choosing a company. The employer will find another candidate for whom the circumstances that are important to you are less important.

How to refuse a job after receiving an official invitation

You have received an offer - a letter or message in the messenger with detailed terms of work and payment, as well as the expected start date. Typically, a formal invitation specifies a specific date by which you must say yes or no. Of course, you have the right to refuse. Exactly how to do this will depend on the reason for this. solutions.

If the conditions differ from those discussed at the interview

Perhaps it was about the salary fork. You were counting on the maximum amount announced, but you were offered to start with the minimum. Or the load turned out to be more than you expected.

In this case, remind us what terms you discussed. Write directly what kind of offer you were counting on - for example, a fixed payment plus a bonus for KPI, and not a percentage of transactions. Or the fact that you will have five employees subordinate to you, and not three people with the same amount of work.

You can show with specific figures why the proposed conditions seem unprofitable to you.

For example, calculate how much you get per hour of work. And remind you that in the same place earned one and a half times more, so you don’t want to agree to a reduction in payment.

Write about your objections correctly. Don't talk about emotions: People who barely know you are unlikely to care how disappointed or upset you are. Write only about specific facts.

It is important to do this as soon as you decide to refuse, and not to delay sending the letter. Perhaps the employer will be ready to reconsider some points of the offer and you will receive more favorable conditions. If he answers that the offer is final, politely say goodbye.

If you managed to receive an offer from another employer

Perhaps this is not an offer, but only an invitation to an interview. But you have a chance to get a job in a company that you have been wanting to join for a long time. Or get more attractive conditions.

In this case, you should decide what is more important to you - tempting opportunities or a real option. If in doubt, you can ask for a short delay to complete the decisive interview. Specify the exact date when you can make a decision.

Think about whether this period is enough for you, because it’s not worth making the same request again.

Sometimes it is important for a company that a new employee starts working as quickly as possible. In this case, the recruiter will likely refuse additional time off. If there is time and, moreover, the company is interested in you, the employer may agree to wait.

Perhaps you have already received a more interesting offer. In this case, simply write that you are ready to start working in another company, and you like its conditions better. You can briefly clarify which advantages were decisive for you. And again, talk only about your preferences, and not about the shortcomings of the company you are refusing. Worth thanking employees, with whom you managed to communicate, during the time allocated to you. But be sincere - formal compliments are unlikely to please anyone.

You may be wondering whether you should share the name of the company you prefer. Some applicants do not want to say that they have chosen a direct competitor because they are afraid of embarrassment. Do as you please. But remember that you had every right to make any choice. This means that you have no reason to hide anything or feel embarrassed.