How do I decline a job offer?

[txrandom]

What's the proper, professional way of declining a job offer?

When I tell them, will they try to counter offer, ask me why, etc? This is just for an internship.

Update:

I called the recruiter today to let them know about my decision that they wanted by today.
And the recruiter was out of the office. Luckily, she left me the number of someone else to call and it went fairly smooth. One problem is that I'm not sure if she got my name down correctly as she said "Goodbye, Bill" when my name is Bob (not real names).

So I'm going to send a follow up email to the actual recruiter.

 

[Vehemence]

"FUCK THAT!"

 

[judasmachine]

call them back for a 2nd interview, and then just tell them you don't don't think they are txrandom material.

 

[JS80]

"I wish to withdraw from the selection process."

 

[BoomerD]

"Take this job and shove it!"

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Tell them that you require a salary of $1,000,000.00 a year, you get to work from home 100 percent of the time, and the only qualifying metric of success for your work will be whether you cash your paycheck in a timely fashion. That should take you out of the selection pool real quick. And on the off-chance it doesn't, congratulations, you just got the best job ever.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: txrandom
What's the proper, professional way of declining a job offer?

When I tell them, will they try to counter offer, ask me why, etc? This is just for an internship.

Aren't internships where you're supposed to "display your skills" in your chosen field of study, and/or lay the groundwork for your future employer/employment? IOW, why would you turn an internship offer down?

What's up with this?

 

[bobdole369]

How about:

<gasp> - Telling them why you don't want to do that job.

Too far, Not in the right field, hoping for a better offer, was looking for different stuff, etc.

 

[Q]

Just tell them the pay wasn't good enough for what you might need to support your family.

Win-win situation.

 

[MoPHo]

Call them and say that you thank them for the opportunity but you will be unable to accept the offer. If they ask why, tell them whatever you want. I always say I received an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

 

[Tweak155]

Last job offer I declined I basically just said: I'm afraid I will have to decline the offer.

But I still take monetary donation to my wallet for future considerations.

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: txrandom
What's the proper, professional way of declining a job offer?

When I tell them, will they try to counter offer, ask me why, etc? This is just for an internship.

Aren't internships where you're supposed to "display your skills" in your chosen field of study, and/or lay the groundwork for your future employer/employment? IOW, why would you turn an internship offer down?

What's up with this?

Because I got a better offer...

 

[TheInternet1980]

Originally posted by: dNor
"FUCK THAT!"

Dammit. Twice in the last 60 seconds. Talk about the Steelers again, so I can resume disliking your internet persona

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: txrandom

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: txrandom
What's the proper, professional way of declining a job offer?

When I tell them, will they try to counter offer, ask me why, etc? This is just for an internship.

Aren't internships where you're supposed to "display your skills" in your chosen field of study, and/or lay the groundwork for your future employer/employment? IOW, why would you turn an internship offer down?

What's up with this?

Because I got a better offer...

Tell them that then

 

[FallenHero]

"I am sorry, but I no longer wished to be considered for this job as another opportunity that I cannot pass up has presented itself. Thank you for your consideration and good luck finding a qualified person."

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: FallenHero
"I am sorry, but I no longer wished to be considered for this job as another opportunity that I cannot pass up has presented itself. Thank you for your consideration and good luck finding a qualified person."

Eh, the good luck part sounds a little bitter-sweet. Though the rest of it sounds good.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: txrandom

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: txrandom
What's the proper, professional way of declining a job offer?

When I tell them, will they try to counter offer, ask me why, etc? This is just for an internship.

Aren't internships where you're supposed to "display your skills" in your chosen field of study, and/or lay the groundwork for your future employer/employment? IOW, why would you turn an internship offer down?

What's up with this?

Because I got a better offer...

OK, I guess I'm ignorant. Please explain to me:

You're in college, studying to be a *insert career here*. You land an internship, which is normally either an upaid or low-paying position...with the possibility of future full-time employment with that company or at the very least, a good reference.

So...how did you get a "better internship offer?" Is it like another dollar per hour, free cafeteria or something like that? Consider ALL factors before turning a job down. Internships are important, but the prospect of a solid, guaranteed job after graduation is solid gold....especially in today's economy!

 

[MadAmos]

Originally posted by: Regs

Originally posted by: FallenHero
"I am sorry, but I no longer wished to be considered for this job as another opportunity that I cannot pass up has presented itself. Thank you for your consideration and good luck finding a qualified person."

Eh, the good luck part sounds a little bitter-sweet. Though the rest of it sounds good.

I agree lose and good luck finding a qualified person. and the rest should work perfectly

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: Regs

Originally posted by: FallenHero
"I am sorry, but I no longer wished to be considered for this job as another opportunity that I cannot pass up has presented itself. Thank you for your consideration and good luck finding a qualified person."

Eh, the good luck part sounds a little bitter-sweet. Though the rest of it sounds good.

Either that or "I'm out bitches! YEAH!"

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: TheInternet1980

Originally posted by: dNor
"FUCK THAT!"

Dammit. Twice in the last 60 seconds.

TWSS

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: txrandom

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: txrandom
What's the proper, professional way of declining a job offer?

When I tell them, will they try to counter offer, ask me why, etc? This is just for an internship.

Aren't internships where you're supposed to "display your skills" in your chosen field of study, and/or lay the groundwork for your future employer/employment? IOW, why would you turn an internship offer down?

What's up with this?

Because I got a better offer...

OK, I guess I'm ignorant. Please explain to me:

You're in college, studying to be a *insert career here*. You land an internship, which is normally either an upaid or low-paying position...with the possibility of future full-time employment with that company or at the very least, a good reference.

So...how did you get a "better internship offer?" Is it like another dollar per hour, free cafeteria or something like that? Consider ALL factors before turning a job down. Internships are important, but the prospect of a solid, guaranteed job after graduation is solid gold....especially in today's economy!

I've taken all those into consideration, which is why I'm declining this offer and accepting another one. And it's not over unimportant factors like free cafeteria or even pay. I'm not even sure what the pay is going to be yet.

As long as I do well in the internship, I'm pretty much guaranteed a full time job. The job is for a small consulting company, which usually has good pay. Plus I will get to travel, which is definitely something I want to do while I'm young. The benefits like 401k, vacation time, etc may not be as good at this company, but if I'm making a lot more, I don't really care.

I'll also be interacting with customers more, which will give me a lot more business experience compared to my other offers were I sit behind a computer and interact only with my boss and coworkers. I'm also interested in starting my own business one day and think the small company environment will help me.

 

[wiredspider]

Just say you've accepted a different offer at this time, thank you for the opportunity blah blah.

 

[txrandom]

Update:

I called the recruiter today to let them know about my decision that they wanted by today.
And the recruiter was out of the office. Luckily, she left me the number of someone else to call and it went fairly smooth. One problem is that I'm not sure if she got my name down correctly as she said "Goodbye, Bill" when my name is Bob (not real names).

So I'm going to send a follow up email to the actual recruiter.

 

[dbk]

There goes Bob's job.

 

[robphelan]

im in a similar boat. I had a phone interview yesterday & they want a face-to-face interview next week. It'll be about 10% raise or so (I could probably get 15%), but it's a much longer drive. Also, 01/01/2010 I'll hit 10 years here and get 4 weeks vacation.