How and when to turn down a job offer

Let’s say there are a lot of positives about the job you’ve been offered. Maybe you’re feeling 70% of the way there, but there are a few things holding you back. Our advice? Ask if there’s some wiggle room around the things you don’t love. Many issues are negotiable at this point.

A few things to think about:

Salary and benefits

Companies expect you to negotiate these and consider it part of the hiring process.

Your commute

Ask about remote work options. Many employers are amenable to employees working remotely at least part of the time.

Hours of work

Some companies are willing to work around employees who have other commitments during the 9-to-5 hours. It’s not wholly unusual to hear bosses say, “As long as the work gets done, we’re good.” If you need schedule accommodations, now is the time to ask.

Lingering questions

If you feel like you need more information, ask to have another conversation with members of the hiring team or human resources. Sometimes getting those last questions answered makes your decision much easier.

Here are a few reasons you might decline a job offer:

• You got a bad vibe during the interview. If you leave your interview feeling unsettled, pay attention. Something’s not right, even if you can’t put your finger on it.
• The company has a bad reputation. Research company ratings on Glassdoor and Indeed.
• It’s too much of a lateral move. If you have a job similar to the one you’ve been offered, think about whether this move supports your career growth. It may not offer enough of a challenge.
• The company culture and mission are at odds with your values.

It feels strangely uncomfortable to turn down a job offer. You’ve spent time getting to know the interview team and have built a rapport with them. You might worry that it seems like a personal rejection. Let that worry go. You’re not obligated to take the job. Be gracious, though. It never hurts to treat people well.

It’s your choice whether you want to decline the job through email or with a phone call. A phone call is more personal, but an email is acceptable, especially if you can’t reach the right person by phone. Better to write a well-crafted email than to leave a voice message.

What exactly should you say? Here’s a rough outline:

I want to thank you for extending this job offer to me. I appreciate the time you and your team have taken to meet with me.

After a lot of consideration, I have decided not to pursue this opportunity.

I enjoyed meeting you and wish you the best in filling this position.

Again, thank you for the opportunity.

You don’t need more detail than that, but tailor it to the situation. If you feel a real connection with the team, ask if you can stay in touch or connect with them on LinkedIn. You never know—your career paths may cross again.

It helps to make a list of pros and cons when you’re faced with a big decision. In this case, we’ll think about the risks and possible rewards of taking a job you’re not sure about.

The risks of taking the job:

• You end up in a job you hate
• The job leaves you drained and unmotivated to look for another job
• You feel like you need to stay so you don’t look like a job-hopper
• You miss out on better opportunities

The possible rewards of taking the job:

• You have a steady income
• You learn new skills
• There may be a chance to quickly advance to a new role
• You like your co-workers

You also have to weigh your particular financial situation. You have more options if you have a financial cushion. If your bills are looming, you may need to jump at the offer.

A lot of people don’t like the idea of a position listed as temporary. That’s understandable. Most of us want to have a feeling of security in our jobs. Even the mention of the word temporary can seem unstable. To that we have a couple of responses.

1. In a very real sense, stability in the job market is an illusion. Full-time permanent roles aren’t necessarily insulated from company closings, mergers, and layoffs. (Which is why it’s always smart to keep your skills up to date.)
2. Temporary roles are often a great way to slide into a permanent role in a company. In fact, many companies list some roles as temp-to-hire. These roles allow the company to experiment with its staffing structure and test out new employees before they add a full-time position to their ranks.

Temporary jobs have their own perks. With a temporary role:

• You don’t have to commit to staying at the company
• You’ll learn new skills you can add to your resume
• You grow your professional network by meeting new people
• You can “interview” the company the way they’re interviewing you—on the job

Also, if you don’t like the work, knowing it’s short-term feels more tolerable than if you’re “stuck” in a permanent role.

Take a moment to celebrate your job offer. You’re doing something right, and you’re one step closer to your next job!