Have you been accepted for a new position – but also have a bad feeling about it? Don’t ignore your instincts. Your gut feeling tells you whether you should turn down the job offer. You can read about the signs of cancellation here.
By Christina Holl
Every job cancellation is individual
A few years ago it would have been rather unusual to turn down an offered job. Today, due to the shortage of skilled workers, this happens more often and companies are approaching applicants more than they used to. They can then often choose between several vacancies. However, many applicants ask themselves: When and how do I best cancel a job offer?
Of course, this always depends on the individual case. After all, a career change is also linked to personal life and career planning. And so there are very different and many understandable reasons for not accepting an offered position. We describe some of these reasons here and show how you should approach the company in each case.
Reason 1 for rejection: The application process seems unprofessional
Whether before, during, or after an interview: if the communication between you and the company is unnecessarily prolonged, it is unprofessional and maybe a first warning signal.
Because the initial behavior of your potential new employer is usually reflected in later everyday work. That’s why it’s a bad sign, for example, if the company doesn’t take the time to deal with your concerns – whether it’s directions to the interview or sending you your employment contract.
Also negative: During the interview, it seems to you that the employer is holding your CV for the first time. And if the appointment is repeatedly postponed or canceled, it’s not just annoying. It is also a clear indication of a lack of reliability. Then reconsider whether you want to sign with this employer or rather cancel the job.
Reason for rejection 2: The image of the employer is not convincing
Before you decide on a new employer, you should do detailed research about them. With research on the Internet and in your personal network, you can find out, for example, how the potential new employer is doing financially and how the company is generally reported. You should consider this information when considering whether or not to accept the job offer.
If you realize very early on that you do not actually want to start with this employer, it is also legitimate to cancel the interview.
Reason for rejection 3: The chemistry between you and the company is not right
The job interview is like the first date: the spark jumps over – or not. If the chemistry isn’t right in the job interview, that’s not a good basis for a happy future. Then you should cancel the job after the interview. Only those who have the feeling that they not only fit into the company professionally but also with their personality and values will later perform at their best.
It’s not just about liking the new managers or the new team. In addition, the requirements and goals of both sides should match. Is it important to you to reconcile family and career? Then you need to be sure that your new job will make that possible. Are you a fan of regular working hours? Then don’t accept a job offer that demands flexibility from you.
Talk about what is important to you and pay attention to how the other person reacts to your questions. Does the person you are talking to only smile at your inquiries or do you get the opportunity to discuss your concerns in detail? You usually notice quite quickly whether the chemistry between you and the new employer is right.
Don’t just listen to what your head is saying, but also your gut feeling. It usually knows more about us than we give it credit for. And if the head or the gut – or even both – tend to reject it, it is better to reject the contract offer, no matter how attractive the salary.
Reason for rejection 4: Lack of prospects for your career
Of course, not every job change has to be a direct advancement. However, it should give you some perspective. Incidentally, a lack of career opportunities is the most common reason for employees to be dismissed.
But remember, while it may not be your long-term dream job, it can help you broaden your skill set, gain new industry knowledge, or improve your meeting demeanor. Contacts that you make in the company can also be useful later on.
However, if the new job feels like a dead-end, it probably is. Before you accept or decline the job offer, think carefully about where the new job will take you in a year, three, or five years.
Reason for rejection 5: The tasks deviate from the job advertisement
The job advertisement mentioned working independently or bringing in your own ideas. However, as soon as you sit down at your new workplace, there is no longer a trace of it. This can be very frustrating. Anyone who has applied to be a project manager would like to manage a project and not just assist others.
They should not have the impression of being under-challenged or even taken advantage of. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, you can already have the specific day-to-day work described to you during the interview.
And meanwhile also ask how your talents and strengths are promoted. If the answers don’t convince you, it’s better to quit the job and keep looking.
If you have already started the job and find out after a few weeks that the tasks are completely different from what is described in the advertisement, you should seek a clarifying discussion with your superior. If nothing changes within a certain period of time, it is better to resign during the probationary period or check options for an internal change.
Reason for rejection 6: The salary is not right
Sooner or later every application comes down to the conditions attached to the job. An important point here is of course the salary. If it is clearly below your expectations or the offer of another company, this may be the decisive factor for rejection. You should then formulate it like this.
If you give other reasons instead, you could find yourself in trouble for explanations when there are corresponding inquiries or improvements that are offered. In addition, the salary-related job rejection makes it clear to the company that it should perhaps change something about its earning potential.
Tip: You can find out what salary you can expect in the finance, IT, and commercial areas in our salary overview.
Before you turn down a job offer because the salary is too low, you should ask whether there are financial alternatives. For example, what are your vacation entitlements? You can also include additional benefits such as a company car, bonuses, or further training in the negotiation.
With tact: reject an internal job offer
Your previous company offers you a new job with more responsibility and salary, but you are not interested in it at all? If you want to turn down this internal job offer, it can be tricky: After all, your company is showing you its appreciation and trust in your skills with this offer. You could disappoint this trust with a rejection. Nevertheless, you should not accept the offer if, for example, this new position does not suit your personal plans.
Nevertheless, tact is required hereunder certain circumstances. Finally, it could be that someone with HR responsibility feels alienated by your decision and may exclude you from future internal promotions out of spite. But even if this danger does not exist: In any case, seek a personal conversation with the responsible manager!
You should definitely decline the internal job offer with thanks if it is not an option for you. After all, the obvious interest in you shows how important you are to your company. Explain why you are declining. Focus on the most important reasons. Explain that the decision was difficult for you, but that you remain committed to the company.
By the way: If you are interested internally in a position other than the one offered, then now would be a good opportunity to make appropriate suggestions. It may be possible to find an alternative that is advantageous for both sides.
Canceling a job after being accepted: is that still possible?
Another special case: You want to turn down a job offer, although you have already agreed with the new employer. This can happen if several applications were successful at the same time and you kept as many options as possible open until you made your final decision. This is not very advantageous for the companies concerned, so you should turn down a job that has already been promised with diplomatic skill if possible.
Basically, proceed as described above under “Rejecting an internal job offer”. That means: keep your tone professional, friendly, and factual, explaining your motives and asking for your understanding for your decision. This is important in order to be remembered well by the respective employer: they may later be considered for another application.
For this reason alone, you should definitely cancel the position personally and not shy away from it. After all, it is also about your good reputation in the industry. It’s quickly ruined if you just want to pull yourself out of the affair without comment. Because you are proving to be incompetent and word could get around.
Rejecting a job offer: Which way is the best?
The die is cast: you have decided to turn down the job. What is the best way to proceed now? First of all, you should cancel as soon as possible – if only out of courtesy to the HR department, who now have to fill the vacant position differently.
You have several options for declining the job offer in style:
- via phone
- by letter
- by email
Employers are now used to communicating in each of the ways mentioned. It is therefore not possible to say in general which is the best. Unless the company has given you specific guidance on the nature of the preferred exchange. Regardless of the way, always say thank you for the opportunity that the company has given you. Then state the reason for your rejection. Let us know that after careful consideration you consider your decision to be the best choice and ask for your understanding.
A phone call is usually the easiest and takes less time. In addition, you can be sure in a personal interview that your job rejection will reach the right addressee. However, a phone call requires you to have the confidence to deal with the situation openly and to explain yourself. Expect that your counterpart will be disappointed with your decision and will have questions about it.
If you would like to cancel the job offer by e-mail or letter, then be as brief as possible. It doesn’t need to be more than five sentences of manageable length. Remember that your message contains the most important formal information about you, the company, and the position (address, salutation, subject, etc.).
And then you can continue looking for a suitable job at your leisure. Or you can get support from specialized HR consultants. Simply upload your CV and we will get in touch with you.
