How to Decline the Job After You Already Accepted | FlexJobs (2024)

FAQs

How to Decline the Job After You Already Accepted | FlexJobs? ›

Be upfront, honest and specific

Let the employer know as soon as you realize you no longer want to accept the position. The sooner you let the hiring manager know, the sooner the employer can start looking for your replacement. He or she will appreciate your swift communication. Be honest, but tactful.

You can say something like, I sincerely appreciate the time that you took to share more about your organization and I enjoyed meeting everyone on the team. I'm not able to accept this offer, but I hope our paths will cross in the future. Whether it's a yay or a nay for this new job offer, best of luck to you.

If you decide to decline a job offer after accepting it, you need to communicate your decision as soon as possible and in a respectful and professional manner. Don't ghost the employer or wait until the last minute to inform them.

Don't accept a job offer, even verbally, until you are certain you are committed. You can certainly say, "thank you very much for the offer," without accepting the offer (and you should do that). Don't back out after accepting. That's called reneging, and is unethical.

After politely turning down their offer, you can express your interest in a future role. “I am very interested in keeping the door open for future opportunities that might align better with my career goals. I hope we can stay in touch, perhaps via LinkedIn, and explore potential collaborations in the future.”

The short answer is yes, it's possible, but there are crucial factors to consider. This article will explore the importance of negotiating your salary, when to initiate negotiations, and provide valuable tips for successful negotiations.

Dear [Name of Hiring Manager], Thank you for your generous offer to join [Company] as [Job Title]. I sincerely appreciate the offer and your interest in hiring me. After much deliberation, I will not be accepting the job offer, as it is unfortunately not the right fit for my career goals/interests.

Instead of being vague or untruthful, be clear and polite about what has caused you to change your mind, as the employer might be willing to adjust their offer to keep you. Even if they don't, they will appreciate your honesty and will be far more likely to consider you for a position in the future.

Can a job take back an offer after accepting? ›

Yes, but there could be legal consequences, so an attorney's advice should always be sought before rescinding the offer. Even if an employer has stated on all offers that employment is at will and can be terminated at any time, there is the concept of the employer making a "promise" of a job.

If the reason you initially turned down the role is no longer an issue for you, the best way would be to approach the hiring manager directly. It is always better to call them and speak with them directly; this will show confidence, and give you a better chance of explaining yourself.

It's natural to feel some regret when making a decision, especially when it involves something as important as a job or internship opportunity. However, it's important to remember that it's generally not considered acceptable to take back a job offer once you have declined it.

It's routine for employers to make offers that are ultimately declined — just as it's normal for employers to turn down applicants — and you won't burn a bridge by professionally declining to accept a job.

If you don't receive a reply, you could also consider calling their office or contacting someone else in the HR department. Additionally, it could be worthwhile to reach out directly to the hiring manager if you have their contact information. Email again.

Be upfront, honest and specific

There's a reason you're declining the job offer you've already accepted. If you're taking another job with a better salary, benefits, work-life balance or even a better commute, clearly communicate that reason to your would-be employer. Doing so will help them understand your decision.

Technically, anyone can turn down a job offer, back out of a job already started, or renege on an acceptance at any point. Most states operate with what is called “at will employment.” This means the employee and the employer are not in a binding contract.

I want to express my sincere appreciation for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. While I am grateful for the opportunity, I have decided to respectfully decline the offer as I have received an offer that better aligns with my career goals and aspirations.

Can I turn down a job offer after signing? ›

Yes, You Can Reject a Signed Job Offer.

Not only is retracting a job acceptance a completely commonplace practice, but we could even say that it's good for everyone involved. Moreover, backing out of a job you've already accepted is also entirely legal — even after signing papers.

Sure, you can legally renege on a job offer—at-will employment means you can technically leave at the drop of a hat—but there's much more to consider before you turn down one company for another.

Let the Employer Know as Soon as Possible

For an employer, there is never an ideal time to have a candidate withdraw, but the sooner you can inform them of your decision, the better.