What's the best way to decline a job offer?

[disneysteve]

I've recently interviewed for 2 per diem positions. There are pros and cons to each. I initially thought I'd sign on with both to give me more options of available shifts to pick up when I wanted to work. The more I thought about it, though, I decided that wasn't really the best way to go. Since I might only be working one or two shifts per month, it makes more sense to stick with one place so I can learn the flow and get used to how things are done there.

The problem is I don't want to burn any bridges in declining the offer from the second place. If things work out, I may want to work more shifts and having 2 places to choose from could be beneficial. So I want to let the 2nd place know I don't want to move forward with them right now but leave the door open to come back to them in the future. Does that make sense? How would you word your message to them to let them know that?

[Fishindude77]

Just the way you said it.
I'm declining your offer right now, but would like to keep the door open for future opportunities. Won't be the first time they've heard this.


Good people are always in demand.

[bjl584]

I don't think that there is anything wrong with declining an offer so long as it's done in a professional manner. It's just business and nothing is personal.

[disneysteve]

Just the way you said it.
I'm declining your offer right now, but would like to keep the door open for future opportunities. Won't be the first time they've heard this.

Good people are always in demand.

Thanks. That's exactly what I was thinking. This is not a one-spot job opening that is going to go away. The demand will continue to be there. The job is basically mine if I want it, whether that's now, next month, or 6 months from now.

I don't think that there is anything wrong with declining an offer so long as it's done in a professional manner. It's just business and nothing is personal.

Absolutely. I wasn't concerned about hurting anyone's feelings. I just wanted to word it in such a way as to make it clear that I wasn't crossing them off my list and might still be interested in coming on board at a later date.

[disneysteve]

I emailed the Medical Director and the Development person (recruiter) and got a nice reply back from the Director. She said how nice it was to meet me and that she's sorry it wasn't a good fit right now but that she hopes we'll have the opportunity to work together in the future. So as long as that wasn't just a bunch of BS, it sounds like the door is still open .

[clatoden99]

That's an excellent question! Candidates should always decline gracefully and leave doors of opportunity open, not just with the company, but with the person as well.

Just as you shift from one company to another every few years, so will that hiring manager, and if you burn bridges with them, you may have burned them at two companies instead of just one.

The Means - I would suggest declining the job offer over the phone, instead of through email. Compare it to breaking off a relationship with someone you're intimate with. Would you do it over the phone or over email? It's more professional to suck it up and make a phone call for that personal touch. They gave you the courtesy of speaking with you in person, and possibly halting their entire hiring process because they pinned their hopes on you. If you were the hiring manager, what would you appreciate?

The Window - Do it ASAP! Don't stall hoping the problem will just go away because it won't. This is an awkward phone call, but it must be done to move forward. They need to hire someone just as badly as you need to start working somewhere. Their revenue and project stream depends on it, just as much, if not more than your income stream. Let them know right away. If you were the hiring manager, what would you appreciate?

The Method - Gracefully and to the point. "Sir/Ma'am: I really appreciate your job offer and I'm honored that you would consider me. Unfortunately, as much as I would have liked, I can't take the offer. I wanted to let you know right away, so your process isn't stalled because of me, and it doesn't cause you and the company any difficulty." That's it. Nothing more. Don't sound rigid or robotic, and come off very personal. If you were the hiring manager, what would you appreciate?

The Extras - Depending upon the type of position and how lucrative the offer was, it may be best to send a little something their way to make your appreciation clear. It could be as simple as a jar of honey, an office accessory, or a motivational book with a thank you note.

If all goes well, after a couple days, try your hand and add them on LinkedIn.

Yes, it's quite common for job offers to get turned down, and all hiring managers know you're 'shopping', however, use this as an opportunity to strengthen and even create new bridges, rather than burning existing ones.

Best of luck!

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I've recently interviewed for 2 per diem positions. There are pros and cons to each. I initially thought I'd sign on with both to give me more options of available shifts to pick up when I wanted to work. The more I thought about it, though, I decided that wasn't really the best way to go. Since I might only be working one or two shifts per month, it makes more sense to stick with one place so I can learn the flow and get used to how things are done there.

The problem is I don't want to burn any bridges in declining the offer from the second place. If things work out, I may want to work more shifts and having 2 places to choose from could be beneficial. So I want to let the 2nd place know I don't want to move forward with them right now but leave the door open to come back to them in the future. Does that make sense? How would you word your message to them to let them know that?

I had a good offer lined up, but they wanted a current supervisor reference before making the offer. I said, no way, no bones, and "respectfully declined" (due to this and bad commute) and even mentioned that I hoped that by declining now they could extend their offer to one of the other candidates.

Never heard a word back, ever. This is for one of, maybe (probably) the, top universities in the country.

[ZachRosh23]

Contact them and just tell them you don't think you can work for them at the moment but it is possible to have an opening later on.