How to professionally decline a job offer?
So you got a job offer? Congratulations!
This is definitely a really important stage of the job hunting process!
However, you want to turn down that job offer, and this can be a very stressful thing to do, but don’t worry, I’m here to teach you how to respectfully and professionally decline a job offer, stress-free!
What To Include In A Job Offer Rejection Email?
Be polite
Express gratitude
Clearly decline the offer!
Don’t be ambiguous and avoid things that may lead to misinterpretation.
Don’t say something like “I’m sorry, but this is not going to work right now”. They might interpret that as “Can we change the starting date?”
Invite them for a phone call
Show how professional and mature that you are
and continue to built that rapport with them, in case you’d still like to work with them in the future
How To Write a Rejection Email for a Job Offer? (email template)
Dear Mr Smith,
Thank you so much for considering me for the e-commerce Manager position at XYZ.
It has been a pleasure getting to know you and the e-commerce team.
I’m so grateful for the offer. However, after careful consideration, I have decided not to accept this offer, as it’s not the right fit for my career goals at this time.
Again, thank you so much for your consideration, and if there is anything further you would like to discuss, I am happy to schedule a quick call with you.
I really appreciate all the support you’ve given me during our interview process.
Wishing you all the best,
Emilia de Abreu.
Make sure to replace the underlined section by your own reason of rejection. Some examples are available here.
If you want to see how to decline a job offer over the phone, check out my video right here: