When you realize you deserve a higher salary, you are well within your right to take another job. However, it is suggested that you inform the company well in advance in a respectful way. It is required for a strong reputation and professional ethics.

How to Decline a Job Offer Professionally (Including Email Templates)

While receiving a job offer can be flattering, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll want to accept it. Whether you’re seeking a higher pay rate, a shorter commute or just don’t think the position is the right fit, the first step is to decline the job offer. Turning down a job is well within your rights while searching for the right job. However, doing so professionally and respectfully is important.

Sometimes you may need to turn down a job in favour of your career development, a better salary or your happiness. Once you’ve made your decision, you need to let the company know. The steps below can help guide you:

Be sure

Declining a job offer is a big decision. Once you have turned down a position, it’s unlikely that it will be offered to you again. So, the decision should be carefully considered. Take the time you need to consider your response. Reach out to the company if you have any unanswered questions holding you back.

Be timely

When offered a job, you’ll usually be given a reasonable timeframe in which to consider the offer. If you choose to not accept the position, you should let the company know within the given timeframe. However, there’s no need to wait for the day your answer is due. The sooner you can let the company know, the better. It helps them resume their process of filling the position without unnecessary delay.

Show appreciation

The recruitment process requires time, money and resources. So, when declining a job offer, it’s important to show appreciation for the company’s investment. Without being overly emotional, ensure you convey your gratitude through your communications

Keep it simple

Declining a job offer needn’t be complex. When turning down a position, keep it short, simple and to the point. State what needs to be stated straightforwardly and honestly, while maintaining an appreciative tone.

How to Politely Decline a Job Offer

1. Show Gratitude

As such, you want to show your appreciation for the offer, or for the smooth application process. There are many ways to do this, and we will give you a few examples.

“Thank you very much for offering me the opportunity to work at ABC Company as a [Job Title]. It was amazing to speak with the team and learn about the position.”

2. Say Positive Things

Turning down a job offer doesn’t have to be all about you. In the examples above of showing gratitude, you will see that positivity is shown to the recipient.

The act of declining a job offer may be awkward for you, but it can be hard for the recipient to accept if they thought you would be a fantastic addition to the team.

3. Give a Reason

4. Clearly Decline the Job Offer

5. Invite Continued Contact

You show that the decision to reject the job offer was not an easy one to come to and that you would like the relationship with the company to continue.

That could be by attending the same conferences, being kept up to date on projects that interest you, networking on LinkedIn, or attending charity functions.

How to Decline an Offer After Accepting It?

You must not worry if you have accepted a job offer and want to decline the same for a better opportunity. Even if you have accepted the position offered to you, can still decline it without burning the bridges. But you are suggested, you must weigh the offers twice before you decide as it may have an impact on your professional reputation.
If you are confident to reject the accepted opportunity, read further. Do what you have read before, even if you are rejecting the accepted opportunity, be appreciative of the time and resources which the hiring manager spent on you.

While expressing gratitude for the job offer, specify the reason(s) for turning down the job opportunity as the company deserves to know the same. It would be appreciative if you call the manager to explain everything or an e-mail/letter may also do the job, it is a key to a positive relationship with the employer(s). The final step, decide to make up your mind for any negotiations.

How to turn down a job offer when the timing isn’t right

You want to maintain a relationship. Make sure you’re transparent about the relationship you’d like to maintain. Hopefully, at this stage in the job search process, you’ve built a strong relationship with either the recruiting team or hiring manager (or both).

Express your gratitude and appreciation for their investment in the relationship. State that you’d love to continue to maintain the relationship. Connect with the person(s) on LinkedIn.

Check in every so often with the recruiter and/or hiring manager to see how things are going. Express interest in the company and the team — and reiterate that with the right position and the right timing, you’d be ready to make the leap.

You’d like to be considered for future opportunities. Declining a job offer doesn’t always come with a completely shut door. It’s a tricky dance. But in your declination email, reiterate your transferable skills , core values, and overall career goals.

Consider the perspective of the offering organization. It’s almost guaranteed they’d like to employ a person who will want to stay with the company for a significant period of time. It’s likely they’d like to hire someone who wants to grow within the organization. It’s likely that they’d like any new hire to add value in meaningful ways.

Make sure you reiterate your interest in future opportunities. But tie it back to what the mutual wants. You can also work with your coach or mentor for the best career advice specific to your situation.

Reasons you might turn down a job offer

This is by no means a complete list, and something that makes you withdraw might be fine for another person. Rejecting an offer comes down to the desires and preferences you’ve set for your next position.

Below are some general examples of how to professionally decline a job offer in writing. You could also adapt these to be a script if you decline by phone.

Example: Accepted another position

Thank you very much for offering me the role of [position title] with [company name]. At this time, I have made the decision to accept a position with another company.

I very much appreciate the time you took over these past [days/weeks] to interview me and tell me more about the organization. I enjoyed our conversations about [state specific topic, business or personal].

Again, thank you for your consideration. I wish you continued success, and I’ll send you a LinkedIn connection request so we can stay in touch for the future.

My sincere thanks for your offer of [position title] with [company name]. Upon review, however, I have determined that the company’s benefits will not support my family’s medical needs at this time.

Example: Use for reasons 5-8 above or when it’s not comfortable or appropriate to give a specific explanation

Thank you very much for offering me the role of [position title] with [company name]. However, I have decided that this is not the right fit for my career goals at this time.

I sincerely enjoyed my discussions with you and your team, and I very much appreciate your taking time to share information about the position and the vision of [company name].

Again, thank you for your consideration. I wish you continued success, and perhaps our paths will cross again in the future. [Add a connection request if it feels appropriate based on your situation.]

References:

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-decline-a-job-offer
https://www.findmyprofession.com/career-advice/decline-job-offer#:~:text=The%20best%20way%20to%20turn%20down%20a%20job,keep%20it%20brief.%205%20Leave%20the%20door%20open.
https://www.qwikresume.com/resources/how-to-decline-a-job-offer/
https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-decline-a-job-offer
https://www.topinterview.com/interview-advice/how-to-decline-a-job-offer