Graciously Turning Down a Job Offer

Being offered a job is almost always cause for excitement. But sometimes, for one reason or another, a job offer will be more of a burden than a boon, and you are forced to graciously turn it down. The key word here is “graciously.” Keep just two things in mind – be very polite and be respectful. Being in the position of turning down a job offer falls into the category of a nice problem to have. Don’t mess it up. You don’t want to leave a bad impression. Your reputation is a valuable asset and your professional network is built on that reputation. Take care of both and you will thrive. Act poorly and both will suffer, making it less likely you will be able to turn down a job in the future. This is not the time for brutal honesty, but instead for graciously crafted declines.

Here’s an example (real life) of what not to say: “I was never really interested in the job. I just wanted to see if I could get the offer.” So bad… Another example: “No thank you, your salary offer is not even close to what I am worth.” That bridge is now burned. Keeping it simple may seem like a good idea, but it is likely to leave many questions unanswered, which might lead to imaginations taking over and bridges still being burned: “Thank you but no.” As we said above, keep it polite and keep it respectful.

Also, it will behoove you to turn down the offer either face-to-face or on the phone. This is not an email kind of thing, which can come off as flippant or dismissive. Be prompt. Don’t drag out negotiations unless there is a high probability that a change in the offer will change your mind. Remember, be very polite and respectful. Here are some ideas on how to compose a gracious “thanks but no”:

• I really appreciate your time and consideration…
• This is a great organization but it is not good fit for me now…
• Thank you so much. This offer means a lot to me. I am sorry that I have to turn you down. This is why…
• I enjoyed getting to know you and the work you do is clearly important, but I have another offer that is a better fit for what I want to do…

These are just some examples. Each can be heard (again use the phone or meet face-to-face) as polite and respectful in the right context. You must consider the culture of the business or organization you are turning down. Are they really formal? Very serious? Friendly and open? It is up to you to pay attention during the job interview process so you can figure out which approach will be perceived as the most polite and respectful to the person and the organization to which you are saying no. If you do it right, the person you turned down will be disappointed but still respect you. The organization or business is likely to still be an option for you at another time. Our professional lives are always changing, and you don’t know who will be able to help you or when. There is almost never a reason to burn a bridge, be unkind, or speak thoughtlessly.

The skills needed to say “no” well are the same skills that you will need to find and get a job in the first place. Career Solutions Group offers services that make you a stronger candidate, on paper and in person. To learn more please contact us at info@careersolutionsgroup.net. We offer free initial consultations that will help you understand the job search process in greater detail.

By: Bryan Dennis, Ph.D., Career Solutions Group