The risks of reneging are burning bridges with the company, facing legal consequences, and missing out on career advancement opportunities. You can only renege if you experience a significant life change, discover company culture is toxic, or if the other offer is genuinely better.
Although potential employees might not like to hear that the offer has been rescinded, they would still understand that there has been a valid reason for the withdrawal of an employment offer. On the other hand, not providing valid reasons for rescinding a job offer to a potential candidate is unprofessional.
Nearly three out of four new hires regret accepting a job offer. Here are the questions to ask to make sure it doesn't happen to you. There are many horror stories of people taking jobs only to find they're nothing like they expected.
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 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.
The same is true for the company if you reject the offer after accepting. They're excited to have you working for them, or they wouldn't extend you the offer. Backing out leaves the hiring manager in a difficult situation, may cost the company money and leaves them disappointed to miss out on your exceptional skills.
Before you accept a job offer, carefully evaluate the entire compensation package, including salary benefits and perks. Consider whether you can negotiate salary or make a counteroffer if the salary isn't what you expected. If you're not sure about an offer, it's acceptable to ask for extra time to decide.
Trust yourself. Now you know why and when declining a job offer is a good idea. So if you know that this job isn't the one, or you're not happy with what they're offering, say so. You have to be your biggest defender and take care of yourself—because your job is never going to care about you the way you do.
You might feel embarrassed to go back to a company you turned down, but given today's tight labor market, Minshew says “many employers would be delighted to re-engage a candidate that they have been previously speaking to, if they have not already filled the role.”
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.
Be honest and clear. Let the employer know why you're backing out of the hiring process and do so honestly and clearly. They should know exactly why you've made this decision, which will also help you keep a good relationship with the hiring manager if you choose to.
Keep it short and to the point. For example, your email could say something like, thank you for offering me this position-- it's a great opportunity. However, after careful consideration, I have decided to accept a role with another company. Or I have decided not to move forward with this position.
You can contact your former supervisor by email or phone call to explain that you'd like to be rehired and why. Once you've reached out, you can ask to meet in person to discuss further details. By using either email or a phone call, you can explain to them why you'd like to return to the company.
A List of Common Valid Reasons for Leaving a Job. You want to chase better career opportunities and reach your full potential. You'd like to learn new skills and gain fresh experiences. You need a better work-life balance than your current job offers.
You may regret quitting a previous job because factors that led to you leaving your position no longer are important. Finding a better opportunity, pursuing a college degree, relocating or dealing with a personal or family matter may no longer influence your career decisions.
In the United States, 17.3 percent of job offers—over 1 in 6—are rejected, according to Glassdoor data, reflecting a steady increase in offer rejection rates over the last few years. So even when employers find qualified candidates, it's often difficult to convince candidates to accept offers.
Are you allowed to ask for time to consider a job offer? Absolutely. Employers understand job seekers may need to carefully consider the job before giving a final answer. If the organization is unwilling to budge, it could be an indication this isn't the place for you.
Consider Whether the Company Is Right for You to Determine Whether to Accept a Job Offer. Do a self-assessment to decide whether the position is a good fit. Also, take a hard look at the company. “I highly suggest you talk to someone who is in that role,” Imwalle said.
However, if the reason is no longer an issue and one wants to get back the job offer, once declined, the best way is to approach the company and the HR manager directly and inform them about the whole thing. Make sure to be totally honest as to the reason for the first rejection and why the decision changed.
Be grateful
Thank your employer for your time working for them and apologize for having to leave so abruptly. If your time at the organization wasn't particularly positive, focus on one or two things you did enjoy about your job when thanking your employer.
Once you've decided to ask to come back, request an in-person meeting with your former supervisor. Without going into too many details, just state that your new position is not working out, and you'd love to talk about returning to your former position if that's something they'd be interested in.
Unless the company you quit has a policy against rehiring former employees there's no reason that you can't re-apply and return to work for them.
Clearly explain your reasons for turning down the offer. It's okay to be honest and direct, as long as you make sure to keep it professional and polite. You don't need to provide every single detail of why you're declining but aim to provide enough information so that they can understand your decision.
Thank you so much for offering me the [Job Title]. After giving this a lot of thought, I have decided to decline the opportunity. The commute seems too arduous, and I won't be able to perform to my best since long commutes can negatively impact productivity, health, and happiness. It was a pleasure meeting you.
Bottom line: Don't accept a job offer unless you know 100 percent it's what you're looking for. Still, there may be legitimate reasons to continue interviewing even after accepting another offer. You decide to get closure on the other opportunities.