Why I rejected a job offer that would pay more and for a product I’m genuinely invested in.

I recently faced a tough decision in my career. I was offered a job that would pay more and for a product that I was genuinely invested in. It was an internal move within the same company, so I can’t give much detail about it. But it was a very tempting opportunity that many people would jump at.

However, after careful consideration, I decided to reject the offer and stay in my current role.?

So why am I sharing this? Perhaps because I want people to tell me I’m not crazy? (Just kidding J, I already know I’m crazy) I thought of sharing because maybe we can all grow together learning from each each other.

So, Why did I do that? There are two main reasons: the role and the team.

The role

The product that I was offered to work on is amazing. It has the potential to be a game-changer in the industry and to catapult anyone’s career who joins the team. I’m passionate about it and I believe in its vision.

However, the role that I was offered was more junior and too limiting for what the product needs. I felt that I had more to give and more to influence than what the role allowed me to do. I didn’t want to settle for less than what I could offer.

By rejecting the offer, I was basically telling the hiring manager that I loved the interview process, I loved the product, but I felt that I deserved a better role. It was a risky move, but it was also a way of showing my confidence and my value.

Values

The second and more important reason why I rejected the offer was loyalty. Loyalty to my current team, my manager, and my director.

With 15 years of professional experience, I’ve started to realize that we spend most of our time with our working team. So, it’s important to build strong relationships with them. Relationships based on trust, respect, and appreciation.

I’m lucky to have such a team in my current role. They value me as a person and as a professional. They support me, challenge me, and inspire me. They make me happy and proud of what we do together.

This year, our revenue quota for the market I manage doubled. It’s a huge challenge, but also a huge opportunity. It would be unfair to jump ship just now when we need each other the most. It would be like betraying them.

I don’t think of my career as a finite game, where I must win or lose. I think of it as an infinite game, where I must keep playing and keep learning. By staying loyal to my team, I’m not losing anything. I’m gaining their trust, their respect, and their friendship.

The decision

Making the decision to reject the offer was not easy. It took me a lot of time, prayer, meditation, and reflection. It also took me a lot of courage to say no to something that I liked.

I felt relieved and sad at the same time. Relieved because I followed my heart and my values. Sad because many people reacted surprised when they heard that loyalty played a part in my decision. They seemed to think that loyalty is not important or relevant in today’s corporate world.

I disagree with that. Loyalty is not only important, but essential. Loyalty is what makes us human. Loyalty is what makes us happy.

The company that offered me the job reacted very well to my rejection. They were understanding and respectful of my decision. They even agreed to let me work on the product as a side project, which made me very happy.

I think that by rejecting the offer, I didn’t burn any bridges. On the contrary, I built new ones. I increased my network and my reputation within the company.

The advice

If you are in a similar situation as me, where you must choose between two good options, here is some advice that might help you:

• Pray, always. Never rush a decision. Use that time to reflect, meditate, and focus on the not so obvious things.
• Reach out to your mentors, trusted people, and tell your situation to as many people as possible. The more you hear, the more you learn.
• Remember that when you are interviewing, it’s a two-way street. Unless you really need the job, take some time to be inquisitive, learn about what they want and what they are offering. You should be evaluating them as much as they are evaluating you.
• Keep bridges open as much as you can. Don’t burn any bridges by being rude or arrogant. Be always polite and professional.
• Follow your heart and your values. Don’t let money or fame cloud your judgment. Think about what makes you happy and fulfilled.

I hope this article helps you in some way or inspires you to share your own story. Please feel free to comment below or reach out to me if you have any questions or feedback. I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more updates. ??