Turning Down a Job OfferIt's a nice problem to have, but a complicated one nonetheless. Turning down a job offer should be done carefully to avoid burning any bridges within the industry or putting your entire career at risk.
Put Your Rejection in Writing
When you turn down a job offer, your formal rejection should be in writing. A mailed letter is most professional, but an email will suffice in most cases. In your written decline, you should avoid:
- Saying anything negative about the company or position
- Mentioning the company you're chosen instead
- Lengthy apologies or comments
The note should be professional, clean and to the point.
Brevity is Key
While appropriate in negotiations regarding job offers, it is not necessary to discuss the offer you accepted in lieu of the one you're now rejecting. You are making a final rejection, not asking the company to up their offer to match another one. In your letter you might simply state, “While the position you've offered me would be a wonderful opportunity, I've decided to accept another offer more in line with my current goals.”
By not degrading one job in relation to another, you're staying professional and leaving the door open to future discussion about other offers that might be more to your liking in the future.
Avoid the temptation to continue on with apologies and ramblings about what your goals might be. A formal rejection can be as simple as a few sentences set in a formal style:
Your Name
Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email
Date
Ms. June Smith
Human Resources Manager
Widgit, Inc
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Ms. Smith,
Thank you for offering me the position of Senior Analyst with Widgit, Inc. While the position you've offered me would be a wonderful opportunity, I've decided to accept another offer more in line with my current goals. I've given the Senior Analyst position a great deal of consideration, but I must formally decline your offer of employment.
Thank you for your time, and I wish you and your company well.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Typed name
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