How to Turn Down a Job Offer After Acceptance

During your job search, you may find yourself in some awkward situations. In some cases, you may verbally accept a job offer and then decide after some consideration to not take it. Since you never want to burn any bridges, you should learn how to carefully turn down a job offer after acceptance.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Evaluate the job offer once more. Before turning down the job offer, reconsider it one more time before contacting the employer. Write out the pros and cons, including salary, benefits and career advancement opportunities.

2. Let the company know as soon as possible. If you put the task off, you're going to make the company lose out on valuable hiring time. Call the person that hired you and set up a time to speak to them about the job offer.

3. State your reason for deciding to turn down the job offer. For example, if another company offered you more money, then let the person know. She may want to put a counteroffer on the table.

4. Convey your regret at turning down the offer. In order to avoid burning bridges, let him know you don't want to say no to the job, but extenuating circumstances force you to turn it down. If you act in a mature and professional manner, he'll likely respect you for the way you handled the situation.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid this uncomfortable situation, you should stop interviewing and applying for jobs after accepting an offer. Cancel any upcoming interviews you may still have on your books.
• Don't avoid telling a potential employer that you're not interested in the position. You'll look unprofessional and put the company in an awkward position.

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