How do you turn down a job offer?

doubleh

I am headed into my second interview on Friday with a company I'm pretty sure I don't want to work for. They seemed very receptive to me and my work experience and it was a pleasant interview. However, my gut kind of told me I'm not a good fit for the place. I did get called back and I am going to go- who knows, I can sell my gut for a seven figure job so I am headed back in case there is something I missed. And granted, I may not get offered the job- I'm not sure how many others they are interviewing. BUT, if I am sure after my 2nd interview I don't want the job, it is probably more direct to withdraw myself from consideration? Or should I not be so presumptuous and see if they do in fact make an offer? What is the proper- or acceptable form of correspondence? Thanks for any insight!

11 years ago

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11 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

April

Veteran

I'm not in the corporate world but SO hires high-level people all the time and also has a finely-tuned sense of appropriateness. I would be glad to ask his opinion when we talk tonight.

11 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

Thanks April! I will be very interested in his answer! I should say that this would nowhere near be a 7 figure job. Just that perhaps I am overlooking some really great aspect of this job opportunity.

11 years ago

amiable

Veteran

I've seen people withdraw from an interview process at the place where I worked. I thought is was very respectable.

11 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I think the key word to remember here is job offer. You are under no obligation to accept, although, in these times, it easy to forget there once was a time where it was not uncommon for the job seeker to have the upper hand as opposed to the employer.

I think it is perfectly appropriate at the second interview to ask some straight forward questions about the areas that concern you. If, after hearing the responses, you still are unsure, I'd tell them that you have some reservations but are certainly open to continued discussion (if that, in fact, are your true feelings). If you are positive that you would not be receptive to a job offer, you could just thank them for considering you as a candidate and say politely you would not be considering a job offer from them at this particular time because you don't think your goals are in line with theirs, or that you would be a good fit within their company culture, or whatever reason you have for not wanting to work for them.

If you think about it from the company's point of view, it isn't to its benefit to hire someone who will not be happy in the position and who may leave after a short period. By acknowledging this politely, you leave the door open to other offers from the company that may be more to your liking; a smart strategy because no one can predict the future.

11 years ago

carter

Veteran

I agree with Gaylene...burn no bridges. ever. I would definitely ask them on Friday why they think you might be a good fit for the company. It could be that they're interested in you because you would bring some type of a shift to the company. If, after the second interview, you're just not feeling it, it is very professional and respectful to withdraw. If you don't do it while you're there, I would do it in a phone call rather a letter/email. They'll want the feedback so itwill help them better determine what type of candidate they need.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I have always just said, "You know, I don't think I'm the right person for this job, so I'm withdrawing my name/giving notice." Gently, of course. With praise.

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

What Gaylene said

Honestly, most companies, mine included, have no hard feelings, particularly if the job offered is not in an area you are passionate about. We have, on more than one occassion, been turned down professionally by a candidate for a job they weren't interested in, only to call them back in 6 months with one more in line with their goals.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

This is fascinating and good to know!

I personally would have waited for an offer, but it seems like withdrawing is kosher if done well.

11 years ago

April

Veteran

Okay, here is what SO said. He said that if you know you wouldn't accept if they offered you a job, it's absolutely a kindness to the person interviewing or recruiting you to let them know that you really don't think you're the right person for the job, without waiting to see if they were planning to make you an offer. He suggested putting it in terms that make the second interview sound like a reasonable information-gathering exercise ("Now that I've had the opportunity to learn more about the position...") that let you know that you don't see yourself in that role. He said that since they interviewed you (twice), you can assume they have a level of interest in you and there's no need to worry about assuming too much by turning them down when you're not certain they want you.

He thought that either a phone call or an email to the main person you've been dealing with would be fine.

Hope that's helpful!

11 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

Thank you all for your insight! I think that I will probably withdraw from consideration- but after the interview. One of the things about the first interview was that they didn't really give me a clear idea of the position other than "we all wear all the hats" and didn't give me a chance to ask any questions. I am preparing a list for the 2nd interview, figuring this is where the specifics will be...so I probably won't say anything at the actual interview- I always like to dwell and overthink things first. As you can see.

11 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I would suggest going to the second interview and hopefully you can ask some questions. There may be a different set of interviewers in the room, you may feel differently. I feel it wise to keep the door open. When a job offer comes you can decide at that point.

11 years ago

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