What are the odds that after weeks of networking and applying for jobs, you get two job offers in one week? That’s exactly what happened to a job candidate a few weeks ago.
When you are in the midst of a job search, the goal is to meet and develop rapport with potential employers that hopefully will lead to a job offer. Sometimes, you make good connections that result in competing offers. What do you do?
The challenge is to politely reject one offer without burning any bridges.
There is no career insurance in the market place. Your next boss is something of an unknown, and you don’t know what your future career moves will be. The awkward feeling you get as you are rejecting one job offer (and thus one employer) for another offer rests with the unknown. You don’t know what your future employment needs will be.
The way you gracefully decline an offer can leave a lasting impression. For example, the job candidate I mentioned earlier decided it was important to decline the offer by calling the employer and sending a letter confirming the decision. The job candidate felt it was important to maintain good communication.
Declining an offer with grace will be remembered just as you remember that a hiring decision-maker got back in touch with you even though you might not have received a job offer. The potential employer’s respect for you as a viable candidate will remain. Job seekers aren’t the only ones who remember the rejections — employers remember rejection, too.
Whether you get one offer or multiples, you can decline in a professional way by recognizing and respecting the time the employer has spent with you. Keep in mind the hiring decision-maker has an ego, and communication helps smooth bruised feelings.
So what might be considered a disrespectful response to a job offer? Ignoring the offer and not acknowledging it in a professional manner would qualify. An employer has invested time with you, and deserves a response.
It might feel awkward, but it’s better to turn down an offer in a way that leaves with doors open. You want to avoid shutting them permanently due to hurt feelings. Most employers — while saddened by your negative response — will understand. A good employer wants you to be happy, and often will consider you for future openings.
Here are some ways to avoid awkwardness:
Write down the reasons why you are declining and practice saying them aloud.
Keep your comments brief.
Be sure to thank the employer for the opportunity.
You don’t have to go into the details of why you declined the offer.
The key is to show gratitude for their time and be professional.
What is the best way to decline an offer, over the phone or in a letter?
