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Last updated on 2024年8月22日

How do you decline a job offer without burning bridges?

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Declining a job offer can be a tricky situation, especially if you want to maintain a good relationship with the employer and leave the door open for future opportunities. You might have multiple reasons to turn down an offer, such as accepting another one, having a change of heart, or realizing the role is not a good fit for you. Whatever your reason, you need to handle the situation professionally and respectfully, without burning any bridges. Here are some tips on how to decline a job offer without damaging your reputation or network.

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1 Be prompt and courteous

The first rule of declining a job offer is to do it as soon as possible, preferably within a day or two of receiving it. This shows respect for the employer's time and effort, and allows them to move on with their hiring process. Don't keep them waiting or hoping for a positive response, as this can create frustration and resentment. Also, don't ghost them or send a generic email. Instead, call them personally and thank them for their interest and consideration. Express your appreciation for the opportunity and the offer, and explain that you have decided to pursue a different path.

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Yuvaraj V

Assistant Manager - Global Talent Acquisition | MBA in HR
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To decline a job offer without burning bridges, respond promptly and professionally, expressing gratitude for the opportunity. Provide a concise, polite reason for your decision, focusing on fit rather than negatives. Reiterate your appreciation for the offer and the time spent during the process. Keep the door open for future opportunities by expressing interest in staying in touch. This approach maintains a positive relationship and leaves a favorable impression.

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Jason Matuska, PRC, CDR, CIR, ACIR, CSMR, CTR, CASR

Senior Technical Recruiter @ Prudent Engineering | Advanced Certified Internet Recruiter | Certified AI and Sourcing Recruiter | Certified Professional Recruiter | Certified Military Veteran Recruiter | Closer
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Be Prompt/Honest: Respond to the offer as soon as you’ve made your decision. Express gratitude for the opportunity and provide a genuine, respectful reason for declining, such as having accepted another offer that aligns better with your career goals. Show Appreciation: Thank the hiring manager and the team for their time, effort, and consideration. Highlight specific aspects of the company or interview process that you found impressive and positive, reinforcing your respect for the organization. Stay Connected: Express a desire to stay in touch for potential future opportunities or collaborations. Connect on professional networks like LinkedIn and keep the door open for future interactions by maintaining a polite and professional tone.

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Jonathan Y. Longsud

Experienced Security and Safety Industry Leader: Pioneering Expertise and Innovation in Protection and Prevention.
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Begin by expressing gratitude for the offer and the opportunity to interview. Provide a brief but genuine explanation for your decision, focusing on personal or professional reasons that led you to decline. Assure the employer that your decision was not made lightly and that you have considered all aspects thoroughly. Offer to stay in touch and express interest in potential future opportunities to work together. Ending on a positive note and expressing appreciation for the opportunity will help ensure that you leave the door open for potential collaboration down the line, thus avoiding burning bridges.

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Keith Bennitz

CEO & Founder with expertise in headhunting, recruiting & consulting
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To decline a job offer without burning bridges, be honest, respectful, and concise. Thank them for the opportunity, express gratitude, provide a brief reason for declining, and offer to stay in touch for potential future opportunities.

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Ernst van Doorn

Jouw Sleutel ?? tot het Vinden van Verborgen Talent | Founder van Het Eerlijke Verhaal | Interim Recruiter & Business Partner | Zelfverklaard Kantoortaal Guru |
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Be direct, don't start to express gratitude right away, but start with explaining why you aren't accepting the offer. Let the hiring manager understand your reasoning first. Prepare with notes on your arguments, but be aware of going in too much detail. Always thank them personally for their time and effort.

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2 Be honest and polite

The second rule of declining a job offer is to be honest and polite about your reasons, without being too specific or negative. You don't have to disclose every detail of your decision, but you should give a brief and sincere explanation that shows respect for the employer and the role. For example, you can say that you have accepted another offer that aligns better with your career goals, or that you have reconsidered your priorities and decided to stay in your current position. Avoid criticizing the company, the culture, the salary, or the benefits, as this can come across as rude and unprofessional. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of the offer and the employer, and express your regret for declining.

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3 Keep the door open

The third rule of declining a job offer is to keep the door open for future communication and collaboration, if you are interested. You never know when you might cross paths with the employer again, or when you might need their help or referral. Therefore, it's important to end the conversation on a positive and friendly note, and to maintain a good rapport with them. You can say that you enjoyed meeting them and learning about their company, and that you hope to stay in touch. You can also ask for their permission to connect with them on LinkedIn or other professional platforms, and to follow up with them later. This way, you can show that you value their relationship and that you are open to future opportunities.

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4 Send a thank-you note

The fourth rule of declining a job offer is to send a thank-you note to the employer, preferably within 24 hours of your phone call. This is a simple but effective way to reinforce your gratitude and professionalism, and to leave a lasting impression. You can restate your appreciation for the offer and the opportunity, and reiterate your reasons for declining. You can also express your interest in staying in contact and hearing from them in the future. A thank-you note can be a short and simple email, but it can make a big difference in how the employer perceives you and remembers you.

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Ernst van Doorn

Jouw Sleutel ?? tot het Vinden van Verborgen Talent | Founder van Het Eerlijke Verhaal | Interim Recruiter & Business Partner | Zelfverklaard Kantoortaal Guru |
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Declining an offer can be considered as a negative. Just like Ikea does straight after check out (seduce you with cheap food), you want to follow up with a positive experience. Acknowledge the time investment of the hiring manager, and that you really appreciate the discussions you had. Don't be afraid to give feedback as well. Everybody should be learning from such a situation.

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5 Handle counteroffers carefully

The fifth rule of declining a job offer is to handle counteroffers carefully, if you receive any. Sometimes, the employer might try to persuade you to change your mind by offering you more money, more benefits, or more flexibility. While this can be flattering and tempting, you should be cautious and respectful when responding to counteroffers. Don't use them as leverage to negotiate with other employers, as this can backfire and damage your reputation. Also, don't accept them unless you are sure that they address your main concerns and that you are genuinely interested in the role. If you are not, politely decline them and stick to your original decision.

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Ernst van Doorn

Jouw Sleutel ?? tot het Vinden van Verborgen Talent | Founder van Het Eerlijke Verhaal | Interim Recruiter & Business Partner | Zelfverklaard Kantoortaal Guru |
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Handling counteroffers heavily depend on the context of why you're switching companies. Were benefits a primary reason to switch companies? Were you headhunted? Did you mention a potential counteroffer from your current employer at the start of the process? In these cases, discussing counteroffers is possible but should always be handled with care. If you're changing companies due to career growth, cultural fit, or other issue's not related to benefits. It will negatively impact your reputation due to not being in line with earlier mentioned reasoning of changing.

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6 Learn from the experience

The sixth rule of declining a job offer is to learn from the experience and use it to improve your career development. Declining a job offer can be a difficult and stressful decision, but it can also be a valuable learning opportunity. You can reflect on what you liked and disliked about the offer and the employer, and how they matched or mismatched with your goals and preferences. You can also evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas where you can improve your skills or knowledge. By learning from the experience, you can refine your job search strategy, enhance your resume and interview skills, and increase your chances of finding the right job for you.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you decline a job offer without burning bridges?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Be prompt and courteous

2 Be honest and polite

3 Keep the door open

4 Send a thank-you note

5 Handle counteroffers carefully

6 Learn from the experience

7 Here’s what else to consider

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