How to Decline a Job Offer in 2024

Before you make the first step, you must ensure that rejecting or accepting a particular job offer is in your best interest.

To avoid leaping into a rash decision and declining an offer impulsively, consider the following factors:

• The suitability of the employer – Research your prospective employer to see if you could work for them or not. You can look into social media accounts, ask current employers or even look at the company's annual reports before rejecting (or indeed, accepting) an offer from them.

• The potential income you can gain – After your employer, the salary is the second most noteworthy factor to consider. Look into whether the earnings that come with the job stand on the market grade. If not, you could always attempt a salary negotiation. You should also think about whether the same salary would suit your lifestyle in the future.

• The role the job description entails – See if the position you are being offered is something you would be comfortable being in. Reject it only after you are certain that the particular role isn't for you or if you have something you would be more comfortable doing.

• The benefits provided by the employer – Vacation and sickness leave, health saving account contributions, pension, stock, profit sharing, insurance, incentives and the use of company property are just some of the crucial benefits worth looking into.

• The time the job will take – Even if you have fixed work hours, the time to complete the job each day can change. Look into whether the employers require you to work overtime and whether this is suitable for your schedule.

• The expenses that come with a job – Consider whether the travel and wardrobe expenses that come with the position you are being offered are something you would be ok with. If the everyday commute is not feasible, you may also need to add moving expenses to your calculations.

• The possibilities of a particular carrier path – Unless you are in dire need of work, any job you accept should be in alignment with your chosen carrier path. Your preferred pathway may choose over time, so make sure to reconsider it every time you receive an offer.

• The values of the position – And whether they align with your core values. Consider the qualities you seek in a potential employer and position and compare them to the offer you are contemplating rejecting.

Once you’ve weighed up your options, you need to let them know as soon as possible to be polite and professional.

Don't sit on a decision for days or hold off deciding on one company over another because you're nervous about saying no to one of them.

From a hiring manager's point of view, it's far better to receive a quick rejection than it is to wait for a fortnight and only then know that you've got to go back to other candidates, some of whom may have by that stage accepted other jobs elsewhere.

While the most polite way to decline a job offer is through your phone, as this allows you to state your reasons, doing it in writing also has its benefits.

By doing it over the phone, you can speak to someone in real-time, and you'll be able to ensure that the prospective employer registers your appreciation in your intonation. This will come in handy for ensuring that you can keep your prospects open for the future.

On the other hand, for both employers and employees, writing rejection letters via email is much more convenient. You can ensure your message is received quickly and your potential employer can filter their candidates just as swiftly.

As long as you express your appreciation, use polite wording and offer a brief reason, most employers will even prefer to receive a response in writing.

Be sincere in letting the manager or hiring team know that you are thankful to them for spending a lot of time reading your CV and cover letter, shortlisting you, and interviewing you.

But, don't overdo it and come across as insincere.

Ideally, pick something specific to thank them for, so your comment doesn't come across as overly generic.

For example, if you asked a lot of questions relating to the role and they answered all of those candidly and in detail, you could mention that.

Next, explain your reason for declining the offer. Give a brief reason and ensure that it is convincing. Mention that your decision comes from careful consideration.

This is where many candidates go wrong, as they state why another job they were offered was far superior, but you shouldn’t do this.

It's fine to say that another role you’ve been offered gives you a better chance to develop your career or build certain skills but you don’t have to be negative about their offer.

Don’t go into detail about which aspects of the position you’ve accepted compare favorably to the one you’re turning down as you want to leave the door as open as possible.

If this is the only job you've been offered at this stage but you've decided it won't work for you, just say that after reflection you've decided the role isn't the right fit for you at this stage of your career, and leave it at that.

You can tailor your response depending on the situation you are facing, such as:

• The Work Culture Isn’t a Good Fit for You – Several factors play a role when you consider a job offer. For example, you might not be pleased with the environment at the workplace or the culture there. Maybe your interaction with certain employees has convinced you to reject the offer. Don’t mention your grievance specifically in the message. Instead, adopt a vague tone as to why you’re turning the offer down.

• The Pay Isn’t Enough – This one can be a tricky message to convey. If the low pay is one of several reasons why you are rejecting the job, make your rejection a general one and don’t mention the salary. If, on the other hand, you feel the pay packet is on the low side but in most other respects you think the company and role are a good fit, you should try a salary negotiation before rejecting the offer. You can mention your excitement at the prospect of working for that company and also cite evidence for what you believe to be the market rate for your position and your worth to the organization. In certain cases, employers will consider this argument and may make an improved offer.

• The Commute Is Too Arduous – You have to consider the time it will take for you to get to and from the workplace. If you are facing the prospect of a long commute, or the office is located in an area with bad traffic, you might have second thoughts. Though it is always preferable to consider things like commute before applying for the job, the experience of traveling to the interview may have been surprisingly arduous and could have left you feeling unsure. The hassle involved in simply getting to work can outweigh any satisfaction you derive from the work itself. You can mention this reason in your message when declining the job offer.

• There's Not Enough Flexibility for Your Current Needs – Some people prefer the option of working from home or require flexibility in terms of work hours. You may be unable or unwilling to change your lifestyle for your new job. You may have asked about remote working at the end of your interview and been met with inflexibility. You can inform the potential employers about your current needs and the level of flexibility you desire when you update them about your decision to not take the job. They may come back with a proposal with increased flexibility.

Try to be positive throughout. Many industries are a small world, so you don’t want to burn any bridges by being negative. Bring the letter or phone call to a close by thanking them for their time and wishing the company future success.

If appropriate due to mutual career paths or industries, you could also suggest keeping in touch for future networking or more suitable opportunities in the future. Suggesting a connection on LinkedIn is the most professional way to do this, but always ensure you ask permission before connecting.

If you know your paths are likely to cross at a future event, mention that and say you'd welcome the chance to catch up for coffee there.

It may be useful to draft your letter first and then come back to it later in the day and look at it fresh. If you have taken the time to craft a well-written letter or plan exactly what you are going to say if you call, it will leave a better impression.

You never know when you might cross paths with that company or individual again. The offer from your chosen employer may fall through or perhaps you encounter the hiring manager at another company in the future. It's never wise to burn bridges.