When to Turn Down a Job Offer

As hard as it may be to fully embrace, turning down a job offer sometimes really is the best thing to do.

  • How can you tell if any job offer is one that should be turned down (politely, of course)? Read below.
  • If you’ve only recently started your job search and you receive an offer, it may be best to turn it down. Why? Because a good job search takes time and builds momentum as you go along. You truly could be losing out on a better opportunity if you accept the first employer who will have you.
  • If you have a nagging feeling that this job isn’t quite what it appears to be, listen to that little voice and turn the job down. It’s far worse to start a job you soon enough you find you dislike. Yes, you can quit after a few months, but the damage to your search momentum as well as to your psyche is already done. Far better to turn the job down than start it in order to “see how things go.”
  • How far is the new job from your home? Don’t discount how a long commute can wreak havoc on your happiness. Researchers have found that any commute longer than about 40 minutes one way can have a truly large effect on your mood, happiness and personal life – and not in a good way.
  • Going back to that nagging feeling mentioned above, sit down with yourself and really think about the following: the atmosphere in your department, seeing these particular co-workers every day and actually working with them, the overall values of the company as you currently understand them. As you think of these things, what are you feeling? Excitement or dread? It’s Ok if your excitement is starting to turn; it’s a good thing and if you heed it and turn the position down, you can save yourself a lot of grief.
  • What about opportunities for advancement? If you’re looking to advance in your career, how will this job help you? Take an honest look at the prospects for after this position. Will you be better for it, or is the position pretty much a dead end? There’s nothing wrong with hanging out in a job that will take you nowhere, but only if that’s what you want.

When presented with the job offer, it’s always wise to take a day or two to mull it over; you should never accept a job on the spot. Go home to think the offer over and discuss with a spouse, family member or friend. If you do decide to turn the position down, call the hiring manager and say something along the lines of “Thank you so much for the offer, but I feel that the position is not quite the right fit.” You need say nothing more or give any more details.
If looking for work in Anchorage, contact the recruiters at the Opti Staffing Group. We can help you find temporary, temp-to-hire and even direct-hire opportunities with some of the region’s top employers. Contact us today.

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