Networking and Career Advice

A Quick Guide to Declining a Job Offer

Sarah O’Mahoney

Marketing Specialist & Freelance Writer


Updated by: Lauren Hamer

Being offered a job is usually a huge relief and a really happy moment, especially when you learn the company wants to hire you after working so hard during the recruitment process.  Once a company offers you a job, the ball is in your court.

While it’s tempting to accept the offer immediately, you may face a scenario in which you have to consider how to decline a job offer. A job needs to fit your needs, and there are a lot of factors to consider, such as the job’s responsibilities, the company values, the culture, the salary, and more. If one of these factors doesn’t fit, it may be time to figure out how to move on. We’ll take a deeper look at some of the reasons why someone may consider declining a job offer and how you can do so with respect and grace.

Why Would Someone Decline a Job Offer?

Understanding why someone may decline a job offer can be beneficial for job candidates. No matter how enticing the deal is, we encourage you to take a second to think about whether the job you have been offered is the best fit for you.

How to Decline a Job Offer- See the Warnings

1. Something felt “off” During the Interview

Interviews are a great opportunity to get a sense of the job you are applying for, as well as the company. Most job candidates get so caught up in trying to answer every question during an interview as well as they can that they forget to take the opportunity to suss the company out. 

If you noticed a red flag during your interview, this may indicate what’s to come during your time working with the company. Some red flags during an interview may include the following:

  • Your interviews being rude or argumentative 
  • Not being made feel welcome
  • Showing signs of inappropriate behavior 

The list goes on, but if you have experienced a red flag during your interview, it may be worth considering how to turn down a job offer. 

2. The Salary Doesn’t Match Your Value

Often companies will advertise jobs, interview candidates, and even offer someone a job before disclosing the job’s salary. If you eventually find out the salary that the company is offering and it is less than you had anticipated, then this might motivate you to decline a job offer. The financial aspect of a job is super important to most job applicants, no matter how great a job may seem, at the end of the day, being able to pay bills and afford to live is a top priority for all. 

3. The Job Doesn’t Feel Right For You

Most often than not, our gut feelings are correct, and if you feel that a job isn’t right for you… then it probably isn’t. You need to consider that taking on a job should feel good. If you feel that the job doesn’t match your passions or skill set, you may be thinking about how to turn down a job offer, which is completely valid. Starting a new job should be exciting, if you don’t feel delighted to have been offered a job, take some time to rethink your next steps. 

How to Decline a Job Offer- See the Warnings

How to Decline a Job Offer Respectfully

1. Be Polite

For whatever reason you have for declining a job offer, it is important to remember to be polite when letting the company know. Showing respect for the fact that the hiring team took time to process your application is essential. If you come across as inconsiderate or even rude when you are declining a job offer, you can probably say goodbye to having another opportunity to work there. 

It is possible that you are declining a job offer because the job isn’t a great fit for you. That’s not to say the company won’t have a better-suited job for you in the future. Don’t burn any bridges, and be as graceful as possible. 

2. Be Double Sure About Declining

Now is not the time for hasty decisions. Before writing something you can’t take back, be sure this is what’s best for you. Your decision to move on will cause the hiring manager to resume sourcing a new candidate almost immediately. (Plus, declining a job offer you already accepted is tough to pull off.) 


Before saying no, consider whether negotiating certain aspects of the offer could make the deal more appealing. If so, you could stall the offer until you learn more information. More on this later.

3. Respond Promptly

Once your mind is made up, don’t delay your response. Hiring managers are on a timeline. If you can’t (or won’t) take the job, they must find someone who will before alerting other candidates that the role has been filled. Start brainstorming your response as soon as possible and figure out the best way to communicate your answer.

4. Consider Declining Over Phone Call

Most recruitment communications happen over email, but job offers tend to come via telephone. Declining via email is acceptable, but speaking to your connection on the phone shows an added level of professionalism and respect not often seen these days. If talking one-on-one makes you nervous, jot down a few notes ahead of time so you don’t get tongue-tied. 

5. Be Honest… but Not Too Honest

The hiring manager will likely ask for recruitment feedback and context when you decline, so prepare a brief explanation of how you came to your decision. For example, if you are not accepting the job because it turns out you have no interest in this particular area, you could indicate that the job doesn’t fit your long-term career goals. You could even mention that you want to target a different industry moving forward. Avoid the urge to discuss every little detail of the process that gave you pause. Honesty is always the best policy. But in these situations, watered-down honesty is better.

If compensation influenced your decision, briefly explain that the offered salary doesn’t meet your current financial requirements. As a result, you’ll need to continue searching for a position more aligned with your needs.

6. Offer Referrals

The role might not have suited you, but it may be someone else’s dream job. You can lessen the sting of rejection by submitting another candidate for consideration, like a colleague who is searching for a similar role.

7. Assume That Your Paths May Cross Again

ABN — Always Be Networking — even during a job search. With every communication, know that you may meet again. Offer to stay in touch on LinkedIn or invite them to reach out with new positions they have in the future. If applicable, you can reiterate your interest in the company but note the position just wasn’t the right fit. The professional world is built on relationships, and you never know what the future holds.

How to Craft a Perfect Offer-Declining Email

As previously mentioned, we always recommend rejecting a job offer over the phone as the most professional method. However, there are instances where you may have to resort to email instead. It’s important that you keep it short, concise, and professional. Here’s how.

1. Choose a Good Subject Line

Anyone with an active inbox knows how important it is to keep communications organized. When writing to decline, use the same email thread and include the job details in the email body. For some, this could simply be the job title. For others, it might also include a reference number. 

Because this is an urgent matter, be sure to communicate your “decline” pretty quickly within the message. You can explain your reasoning and show appreciation after stating your decision.  

2. Show Appreciation for The Opportunity

Next, thank the hiring manager for the offer and their time. You probably spent hours submitting applications and preparing interview responses, but they also spent hours reviewing your resume, examining your social profiles, and advocating for you internally. A heartfelt, specific thank you will go a long way.

3. Explain the Reason Briefly

Your hiring manager will have to convey your response to other stakeholders within the company, so it’s considered respectful to offer a bit of context. Now, there’s no need to write a 500-word essay about the “over the top” perks offered by the company you did sign with, but a few sentences or one distinct reason should suffice.

How specific you get depends on your situation. If you went through several rounds of interviews with would-be colleagues and would consider future opportunities with the company under different circumstances, you can elaborate further. But if red flags had you itching to run far, far away, then a simple descriptor is best.  

4. Offer to Stay in Touch

To keep the networking lines open, end your message with simple niceties. If possible, reference something you discussed during your interviews, like a conference you’re both attending or a pop culture recommendation you gave early on. Otherwise, simply state that you wish this person the best in the future.

Email Examples

Compensation Does Not Meet Your Requirements

Dear Kelsey,

Thank you so much for your offer to join [company] as a [lifestyle marketing manager]. After careful consideration, I’ve decided that I must pursue other opportunities more in line with my compensation requirements discussed earlier in the interview process.

It’s been a pleasure meeting you and learning about all the fantastic strides [company] is making in [industry]. Let’s stay in touch, OK? I’d be happy to chat about future opportunities with the company, should the departmental budgets increase.

Thank you again,

Lauren

LinkedIn URL | Phone Number

You Accepted Another Offer

Hi Tim, 

Thank you for the [sales manager] offer with [Company]. After careful consideration, I, unfortunately, have to decline the opportunity. I’ve received a better offer from a company that I, quite frankly, cannot refuse. 

Your offer made my week. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting [name] and [name] throughout the process. Whoever you hire to work with that team will be lucky! I wish you all the best in finding the right candidate for the position. 

Let’s stay in touch on LinkedIn. My contact info is below.

Thank you again, 

Lauren

LinkedIn URL | Phone Number

Continuing Your Job Search (General Rejection)

Dear Chris,

I’m flattered to receive such a great offer from your team. Thank you! Unfortunately, I will have to decline this opportunity. I’ve decided to continue my job search, targeting smaller companies focusing on lead generation rather than account maintenance.

It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and [other interviewer’s name]. I can’t wait to read your book recommendation: “Fanatical Prospecting,” and I wish you all the best as you continue your search for the right fit.

Warmest regards,

Lauren

Staying at Your Current Role

Hi Linda,

Thank you again for offering me the [software engineer] role on your team. After much consideration, I’ve decided that now is not a good time for me to leave my current position, and I must decline your offer. 

It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and the team. I appreciate you taking the time to interview me and answer my questions about the job and [company]. 

I hope we can stay in touch (I’ll see you next April at [conference name]), and that you find the best candidate for the role.

Thanks again,

Lauren

LinkedIn URL | Phone Number

How to Counter the Offer or Negotiate a Better Offer?

If your gut is telling you to consider this offer, that’s OK, too. Good employees have a lot of power in the current market, with many choosing between multiple offers and leveraging them for higher pay. Job switchers receive an average raise of 6.4% in 2022, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, much higher than those who stay in their current roles. 

There’s nothing wrong with negotiating a sweeter deal if the opportunity seems promising. Think about these things when deciding whether a counteroffer is worth the effort:

  • Your long-term goals
  • Opportunity for advancement
  • Total compensation (i.e., salary and benefits)
  • The differences between your perspective managers
  • Company performance, both historical and forecasted
  • The macroeconomy

If you decide to counter, first acknowledge your appreciation of the current offer, thanking them for the notice and their effort thus far. Then, mention that you’d like to find a way to make the offer a better fit for you and your current career goals. Ask the recruiter to set up a time to discuss the offer, preferably in person or via phone. Be honest about your expectations and requirements. If they can budge, they will.

Conclusion

When you are trying to think through how to decline a job offer, remember that these types of decisions are a part of life. Just be polite, honest, and professional when turning down a job offer. Then, move on to bigger and better. Try not to see this as a setback… saying no to one opportunity means you are one step closer to finding the perfect job for you!

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