There is so much said about cover letters and interviews but not much about how to end the conversation in a graceful way. I'm ashamed to admit that I've actually ghosted a company because of a job offer that I didn't want to accept - all because I didn't know the right or appropriate way to decline it. Don't make the mistake I did - it pretty much guarantees that they won't consider you for a different role in the future.
It's pretty simple. You have to remember 3 key things that you need to mention while declining a job offer, whether it's on the phone or on email.
1. Express your appreciation
Always start with giving thanks. For the opportunity, for the confidence in you and for their time. A lot of effort goes into making a job offer happen - make sure you show your appreciation for it.
A good starting line would be, "Thank you for the offer for the XYZ position and for your patience. I really appreciate you taking the time out to give me feedback on my work/ answering my question/ or something else that stood out in your experience."
2. Give a good reason
It's absolutely okay to mention a reason like an offer being too low, receiving a better offer from another company or even just not thinking the job profile was the right fit for you. No one is going to get their feelings hurt if you're honest about it. It's actually better for them to know the exact reason, in case there is an option of fixing the issue at their end.
An example, "Unfortunately, I will not be able to accept the offer. After careful consideration, I've decided that now is not the right time for me to make the switch from my current job."
3. Keep the door open for future offers
You don't want to take what they've offered, fine. But you never know what position they're going to be hiring for a year or ten down the road. Let them know you would be open to a different role in the future that might fit you better. You might not realize the effect this can have on a hiring manager now but you will in the long run!
A good closing line, "I'm sure working at [company name] would have been a great experience and I hope we can find a way together sometime in the future."
Comments
End your note with best wishes!
