Turning Down Job Offers: Dos and Don’ts
As an automotive recruiter for more than 17 years, I have seen too many candidates burn bridges by turning down job offers the wrong way.
There are absolutely times when a job is not the right fit, and sometimes you do not realize that until you are deep into the interview process. Sometimes you will not realize it until after you have accepted an offer. So what do you do in this situation?
Here are my simple Dos and Don’ts to handle this uncomfortable situation in a respectable way.
Do:
- Pick up the Phone Right Away
- Once you have realized you no longer want to be considered a candidate for a position, or if you have changed your mind about a position after accepting, pick up the phone IMMEDIATELY and call the manager or dealer with whom you have been interviewing.
- Do not text, do not email – pick up the phone.
- When you call, thank the hiring manager for their time and politely remove yourself as a candidate.
- WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? It shows respect to the company that was considering you for a job and allows them to move forward with other candidates as soon as possible.
Don’t:
- Become Unreachable
- Most of us try to avoid conflict, and this discussion may be uncomfortable, but if you instead ignore phone calls, miss interviews or simply fail to show up for your first day (yes, people actually do this) you will make the situation WORSE and can negatively influence your hirability in the future.
- Nip the problem in the bud, and refer to my “do” above – pick up the phone.
- WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? If you avoid the discussion and become unreachable, you are wasting the dealer’s time. The automotive industry is a small world, and your reputation can precede you, especially if you acted disrespectfully.
Communicating honestly with a potential employer, especially when having an uncomfortable conversation like declining a job offer, will help you part ways amicably. The hiring manager may not be thrilled to learn you are no longer a candidate, but he or she will be able to respect your decision if you take the time to discuss it.
By following these simple Dos and Don’ts you can avoid burning bridges and continue searching for the right job!