How to Decline a Job Offer Politely (With Samples)

You got the job offer but you are expecting more compensation than what they have offered or your present company might have matched the offer they have given, and you’re no longer interested. Or maybe you have a better offer from another company and you are unable to decide between the two. Considering the perks and emoluments, rejecting one job offer out of two can be uncomfortable, especially after a lengthy interview process.

Sometimes a job offer isn’t a good fit for you or you might have acquired some other offer that you think is better. Reasons can be many, but considering some situations, it becomes necessary to turn down a job offer. While it may seem uncomfortable, turning down an extended job offer will become easier when you follow a few guidelines mentioned in this blog.

Assessing the Job Offer

Consider the culture and values of the company

Before you call to accept/reject a job offer, take a minute to re-read the offer letter thoroughly. Sometimes, although the salary is satisfactory, the company’s culture is not at par with your expectations. For example, you’ll also be expected to travel overseas for “eight or more days per month” – which is more than you had anticipated during the interview. Or there’s a possibility that you find out that your line manager is the one person who you didn’t “connect” with during your interview. Then it becomes a little difficult to work in such an environment. Hence, check the JD thoroughly and then discuss your doubts with the employer and make a decision to quit.

Assess personal growth and advancement in the company

According to data compiled by the U.S. government, the average baby boomer changes jobs 11.7 times during his or her career. Despite this, author John Lees found that many people spend their vacations searching for a new job and then evaluating their job offers.

For many of us, a job isn’t just a job – it’s our career, our aspirations. It is where we spend most of our time and pursue our passion. So, it definitely makes sense to evaluate the job offers that we receive. We need to think carefully about how it will impact our long-term career prospects.

When we accept a job offer on impulse and it doesn’t work out, then we might end up leaving it. Without evaluating the job offers when we only accept and join we repeat the same mistake again. It leaves our résumé littered with several short-lived jobs. It can make us look unreliable to potential employers. Sometimes it may also lead to further away from your chosen career path.

Signs for declining a job offer

Misalignment with career aspirations and long-term goals

Everyone has different “must-haves” on their job list. It can be regarding anything. For some, it may be preferring  to remote work or for others, it may be a flexible working hour so that you can spend some time learning new skills. Whatever it is, if that “must-have” is not in the job offer, you might want to turn it down.

It doesn’t mean a job offer will, or should, always be perfect. You need to weigh and measure if it is fulfilling the ‘must-haves’ with the ‘trade-offs’ and then move ahead. If it does not align with your career aspirations and long-term goals then you can decline the offer and search for some other opportunities.

Lack of growth opportunities

While no job lasts forever, an employee will also not stay in a company for their whole career. The job you’re considering joining should help advance your career, no matter where you work. When you find out if the role is not suitable for you and will not advance your career, then you quit it and find your next job. However, if, after looking at the role and the company, you see no long-term professional gain or benefit from the job, you may want to pass.

Negative or toxic company culture

Healthy competition is good for an organization. It motivates employees to give a stellar performance. However, unhealthy competition may bring negativity to the company and can ruin the environment. When you join a firm, observe. Observe closely. Having toxic and unhealthy competition at work can breed animosity between employees and is not good for the career. Hence, one should not go forward with such a company for their professional journey.

How to politely decline a job offer

It is always recommended to be polite in tone whether you are conversing or writing an email.

When you get a job offer and you want to explore another opportunity, politely decline it while expressing your gratitude to the employer. Let’s say the offered salary does not match your expectations, then you can always say –

Sample of letter to decline job offer

Example 1: When you’ve accepted another job

When the candidate gets 2 offers and has to select one, declining the other one. Here’s a sample letter to decline a job offer for your reference to politely say no to the company when you have made up your mind to join another.

Example 2: The job is not a good fit

Conclusion

Before declining a job offer, be sure that you’re making a well-considered decision. After you’ve declined a job, there is close to zero chance you’ll be offered the position again from the same organization. Also, note that this is not the time to attempt to negotiate a better deal with the company.

Do not be afraid to reject the job offer if it simply isn’t the right fit as per your desire and aspirations. Turning down a job offer can be a difficult and delicate task at the same time. But, when done well, it will enable you to move on to the right job and keep your professional network intact.

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