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Highlights

1. Consider your personal and career goals before rejecting a job offer to ensure they align with your plans.
2. Assess company culture, values, and employee reviews to ensure it’s a good fit for your lifestyle.
3. Evaluate salary, benefits, and commute time to ensure they meet your needs and are worth the trade-off.
4. Clarify job responsibilities and growth opportunities to make sure the role supports your career development.
5. When declining, be polite and express gratitude, offering a brief, respectful explanation for your decision.

Depending on your field, you might get several job offers at once. A recent survey by Gartner shows that nearly half of job seekers are looking at two or more offers simultaneously. So, is it unprofessional to decline work offer? 

Not at all! Today’s job market is competitive, and many skilled professionals receive multiple offers. It’s common for job seekers to decline one role in favor of another.

However, politely saying "no" can be tricky, especially if you want to leave a good impression on the hiring manager and the company. So, in this article, we’ll share tips and examples on how to decline a job offer gracefully. 

Factors to Consider Before Declining a Job Offer

Before knowing how to reject a job offer, you must consider some essential factors. 

Deciding whether to turn down a job offer can be tough. It’s important to consider how the role will impact your life now and in the future. Considering how many hours you spend at work, it’s essential to make sure you’ll be happy there. 

Here are some key things to consider before you reject employment offer.

Personal and Career Goals

Think about where you want to be in one, three, or even five years. Do you want to move into a management role soon? Or maybe you’re looking to develop new skills. Consider if the company supports growth and aligns with your career goals.

Your personal goals matter too. If you plan on starting a family, you might want a company supporting work-life balance. Lack of this support could be a reason to turn down an offer.

Company Fit

Your job should add positively to your life. This means your values should match the company’s values, and you should feel comfortable with their workplace culture.

Before accepting, ask about the company’s mission and values and how they maintain a positive culture. You can also look up employee reviews to see how others rate working there. It may be worth reconsidering if it doesn’t feel like a good fit.

Salary and Benefits

One main reason people change jobs is for better pay or benefits. But it’s important to look at the full picture. Sometimes, a lower salary can be worth it if the benefits like health insurance, a gym membership, or fuel cards add value. However, if the pay is too low and the benefits don’t meet your needs, think carefully before accepting.

Location and Commute

Where the job is located and how long it takes to get there matters. Even if it’s a great opportunity, a long commute can add up. Whether you’re spending four or 40 hours a week at work, a one-hour commute each way can affect your daily life. Think about whether the travel time fits with your current and future lifestyle.

Job Responsibilities and Growth

Many people look for new jobs because they feel overworked or see little opportunity for advancement. Make sure you have a clear idea of what the role involves, how your work will be evaluated, and what growth opportunities are available. If the job doesn’t align with your career goals, it may be best to wait for a role that’s a better fit.

Should You Email or Call the Hiring Manager to Decline a Job Request?

Before understanding how to turn down job offer, it’s better to decide the mode of communication first. 

While emailing to turn down a job offer is fine, calling the hiring manager or recruiter can be more considerate. A phone call adds a personal touch.

After all, they’ve invested time in the interview process and may be looking forward to you joining their team. If you're worried about what to say, jot down some notes beforehand to keep you on track.

If you can’t reach them by phone, email them immediately to avoid delays. You can also mention in the email that you tried calling but couldn’t connect.

How to Politely Decline A Job Offer Over the Phone?

Start with Appreciation

Begin the call by expressing gratitude, like:

1. “Thank you very much for offering me the role of [Job Title] at [Company].”
2. “Thank you for the generous offer and the opportunity to join [Company] as [Job Title].”

7 Examples of Job Rejection Responses

After thanking them, briefly explain why decline job offer email. Here are a few examples:

1. “After careful thought, I’ve accepted another position.”
2. “I’ve declined the offer to focus on roles that align better with my current career goals.”
3. “I truly appreciate the time you discuss salary with me. However, the salary offered doesn’t meet my expectations to leave my current job.”
4. “After much thought, I’ve decided this role isn’t the right fit for my long-term career goals.”
5. “I’ve chosen to pursue a different position that will allow me to grow my interests in [insert interest] and [insert interest].”
6. “I won’t accept the position, as it isn’t a good fit for me now.”
7. “Although this role is a great opportunity, I’ve decided that now isn’t the best time to leave my current job.”

How to Respectfully Decline A Job Offer on Email?

Subject: Job Offer – [Your Name]

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

Thank you very much for offering me the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I truly appreciate the time and effort you and the team put into getting to know me and providing insights about the role and company culture.

After careful consideration, I’ve declined the offer, as I believe this is the best decision for my career. This decision was not easy, as I highly regard [Company Name] and the team.

Thank you once again for the opportunity and your understanding. I hope we may cross paths in the future, and I look forward to following [Company Name]'s successes.

Warm regards,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Contact Information]

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Summary

Knowing how to decline a job offer can be difficult, but it’s important to carefully consider factors like your career goals, company fit, and benefits before deciding. Whether you decline via phone or email, always express gratitude and be respectful. By being thoughtful and polite, you can maintain a positive relationship with the company and leave the door open for future opportunities.