How to reject a job offer?

Hey guys,

I was wondering if any of you could help me out here. I've sent away applications for quite a few job vacancies for a summer job. Lets say I go for the interviews and then two give me the job. How do I reject the other if I have accepted one? (In a nice way of course) :confused:

Thanks in advance!

Reply 1

Yossarian

rockiee

Hey guys,

I was wondering if any of you could help me out here. I've sent away applications for quite a few job vacancies for a summer job. Lets say I go for the interviews and then two give me the job. How do I reject the other if I have accepted one? (In a nice way of course) :confused:

Thanks in advance!

"Thanks, but no thanks"

Reply 2

Sparkle1984

Here's a good example of a Rejection of Offer letter which I read in a book about how to write good job applications:

Dear Mr/Ms ___________

It was a pleasure meeting you and your staff to discuss your needs for a __________(insert job title here). Our time together was most enjoyable and informative.

I believe the purpose of preliminary interviews is to explore areas of mutual interest and to assess the fit between the individual and the position. After careful thought, I have decided to withdraw my application for the position.

My decision is based upon the fact that I have accepted a position elsewhere that is very suited to my qualifications and experiences.

I want to thank you for interviewing me and giving me the opportunity to learn more about your facility. You have a fine team, and I would have enjoyed working with you.

Best wishes to you and your staff.

Yours Sincerely

Reply 3

rmyl

13

oo thats goodd sparkle, i may use that one myself :biggrin:

Reply 4

Adhsur

15

Surely it's a bit far-fetched and unnecessary? I'm sure a simple response will do, as the above may give the impression of being patronising.

Reply 5

Eternal Fantasy

2

Adhsur

Surely it's a bit far-fetched and unnecessary? I'm sure a simple response will do, as the above may give the impression of being patronising.

Yeah, I agree with you there. "I believe the purpose of preliminary interviews is to explore areas of mutual interest and to assess the fit between the individual and the position." What the heck?! :rolleyes:

Reply 6

Sparkle1984

Adhsur

Surely it's a bit far-fetched and unnecessary? I'm sure a simple response will do, as the above may give the impression of being patronising.

Well I suppose it depends on the type of job it was. A lot of the examples of letters in the book I was reading are aimed at people searching for high level (eg managerial) positions, and not so much at new graduates, but I still think it provides some useful advice. The sample letters are supposed to be adapted by the applicant to make them relevant to the specific position.

I think the original author of the letter wanted to make it appear they really do care about the company even though they are rejecting the position, so then if they ever decide to work there in the future, the employer may remember them.

Reply 7

Manatee

14

Sparkle1984

Here's a good example of a Rejection of Offer letter which I read in a book about how to write good job applications:

Dear Mr/Ms ___________

It was a pleasure meeting you and your staff to discuss your needs for a __________(insert job title here). Our time together was most enjoyable and informative.

I believe the purpose of preliminary interviews is to explore areas of mutual interest and to assess the fit between the individual and the position. After careful thought, I have decided to withdraw my application for the position.

My decision is based upon the fact that I have accepted a position elsewhere that is very suited to my qualifications and experiences.

I want to thank you for interviewing me and giving me the opportunity to learn more about your facility. You have a fine team, and I would have enjoyed working with you.

Best wishes to you and your staff.

Yours Sincerely

I think it's unnecessarily over the top (and quite frankly rather arrogant - "I believe the purpose of preliminary interviews is to explore areas of mutual interest and to assess the fit between the individual and the position"/"I would have enjoyed working with you"?). I would keep it simple - all the letter needs to say is that you have decided not to accept their offer of employment (and give a reason if you want, such as finding a job to which you are better suited). People turn down offers all the time, and employers are quite used to it, so there is no need to make a big deal out of it.

:smile:

Reply 8

Profesh

20

Sparkle1984

Here's a good example of a Rejection of Offer letter which I read in a book about how to write good job applications:

Dear Mr/Ms ___________

It was a pleasure meeting you and your staff to discuss your needs for a __________(insert job title here). Our time together was most enjoyable and informative.

I believe the purpose of preliminary interviews is to explore areas of mutual interest and to assess the fit between the individual and the position. After careful thought, I have decided to withdraw my application for the position.

My decision is based upon the fact that I have accepted a position elsewhere that is very suited to my qualifications and experiences.

I want to thank you for interviewing me and giving me the opportunity to learn more about your facility. You have a fine team, and I would have enjoyed working with you.

Best wishes to you and your staff.

Yours Sincerely

Most eloquent. Bear in mind, however, that simply because you have taken one offer over the other, does not entail the necessity of jeopardising any and all future dealings with the firm in question by patronising them into insignificance.

Reply 9

Pencil

16

Just phone them up and say "hi, I was accepted for so-and-so job, but I have since found another job. Sorry."

They will say something like "okay, thank you for letting us know".

And that will be the end of it. I think it's important not to make a big deal out of it. If you want to apply for a job there in the future, it's advisable to be as less-memorable as possible. :smile:

Reply 10

StarBlueUK

2

Pencil

Just phone them up and say "hi, I was accepted for so-and-so job, but I have since found another job. Sorry."

They will say something like "okay, thank you for letting us know".

And that will be the end of it. I think it's important not to make a big deal out of it. If you want to apply for a job there in the future, it's advisable to be as less-memorable as possible. :smile:

I agree

Reply 11

Sparkle1984

OK, I didn't realise so many people might find that letter patronising. If the time ever comes that I have to reject a job offer, I would change the letter to make it simpler.

It seems that jobsearching techniques in general can be quite controversial. What one employer likes, another might hate. For example, some guidance booklets say your CV should never be more than a page long, while others say it's OK to go up to 2 pages long.

Reply 12

Manatee

14

Sparkle1984

It seems that jobsearching techniques in general can be quite controversial. What one employer likes, another might hate. For example, some guidance booklets say your CV should never be more than a page long, while others say it's OK to go up to 2 pages long.

It depends on how much your CV has to cover. If you can comfortably fit it on one page, fine. If you can't, I don't think there is any harm in making it longer. Obviously, the more qualifications and experience you acquire, the longer your CV will need to be. Mine is just over two pages (the biggest section deals with details of my last job) and no-one has told me to cut it down.

:smile:

Reply 13

rockiee

OP

2

hey hey thanks guys for the advice! :biggrin:

Reply 14

Prospect

Sparkle1984

Here's a good example of a Rejection of Offer letter which I read in a book about how to write good job applications:

Dear Mr/Ms ___________

It was a pleasure meeting you and your staff to discuss your needs for a __________(insert job title here). Our time together was most enjoyable and informative.

I believe the purpose of preliminary interviews is to explore areas of mutual interest and to assess the fit between the individual and the position. After careful thought, I have decided to withdraw my application for the position.

My decision is based upon the fact that I have accepted a position elsewhere that is very suited to my qualifications and experiences.

I want to thank you for interviewing me and giving me the opportunity to learn more about your facility. You have a fine team, and I would have enjoyed working with you.

Best wishes to you and your staff.

Yours Sincerely

Yeah this is great, anyone ignorant enough to think its arrogant or whatever obviously does not have a superior grasp of the english language themselves

Reply 15

Chris.

1

Prospect

Yeah this is great, anyone ignorant enough to think its arrogant or whatever obviously does not have a superior grasp of the english language themselves

That is up there with the most pretentious thing's i've ever read, seriously mate, that comment made you look a complete fool.

That template is way over the top, a simple letter/phone call politely explaining you have found a job better suited to you is more than enough.

How to reject a job offer?

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