For one reason or another, the job you have been offered isn’t the right one for you. You know that you have to turn the job offer down but it’s unnerving. It’s likely that you are worried the hiring manager will try to change your mind. Perhaps you are concerned that they won’t consider you for future – potentially better – positions.

Knowing what rejection feels like, it’s hard to reject someone else. Nevertheless, there is a best way to turn down a job offer that not only polite but also keeps the door open for the future. Here are 8 pieces of advice on turning down a job offer…

#1. Recruiters know you’re in demand

Recruiters know that you need to make the right choice for you (and your family). They are also fully aware that you will be job hunting for the best and most suitable offers out there. Remembering that recruiters and hiring managers are used to people saying No to them will help you; they are human too after all 😉

#2. Never ghost a company

Ghosting might be acceptable for some people in social situations but there is no room for this practice in the professional world. Put yourself in the company’s shoes. If you were trying to find out about the success of your application, you wouldn’t want to be completely ignored in the hope you will give up contacting them. It’s impolite and unprofessional.

#3. Don’t put off saying No

As with anything you dread doing, the longer you leave it the harder it becomes. If you have made the decision to say No, the healthiest thing for you is to contact the company as soon as possible so that you can move on with the search or accept another offer. The same applies to the company. They need to fill the vacancy as soon as possible. Your prompt reply will enable them to do find the right candidate more quickly.

#4. Don’t just email, make a phone call

It’s tempting to take advantage of email or one of the many social media platforms but a brief telephone call is far more courteous. The employer has invested time in getting to know you and a conversation allows you to convey a message better in comparison to an email.

#5. Be completely honest

Imagine that the job offer was absolutely perfect for you except for one condition. Maybe you need a slightly higher salary or you need flexible working hours. Letting a recruiter know what you need could open the door to a negotiation, which might lead to what you are after. It would be a shame to miss out on the ideal job because you’re worried about hurting their feelings or too timid to share your reasons.

Being honest about the factors that came into play in your decision-making will also provide the necessary feedback for the recruiter, helping them for the future. If every candidate turned down the position for the same reason, they will see that a change needs to be made internally. It could be that this position didn’t have leadership possibilities but as a result the next vacancy might. Your feedback should be constructive and a combination of what you liked and what could be improved.

#6. Keep it short and simple

While your reason for declining the offer should be clear, you should still try to keep the explanation short and simple. As well as your explanation for turning down the job offer, show gratitude for the time they have taken and for considering you. This will go a long way to building a strong professional relationship for the future. You never know if you might want to knock on their door for a different opportunity sometime in the future.

#7. Ask about future opportunities

Nothing is guaranteed in employment. You might choose another job that seemed more appealing but, after a few months, you feel in retrospect it was the wrong choice. Ask the recruiter or hiring manager what you need to do to be considered for future vacancies so that they can automatically include you.

#8. Follow them on social media

Following a company or recruiter on sites like LinkedIn means you can keep up with them to find out company news and the latest job postings. You can also post comments in reponse to what you read. Make sure you are in their minds.

In concluding, the more professional you can be when turning down a job, the better your reputation will be. It is always wiser to turn down a job in a way that leaves the recruiter with a positive image of you. You never know which path you might wish to follow in future and, following this approach, companies will remember your professionalism and honesty, two traits that are always in demand.

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