Rejecting a job offer

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Continuation of:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...059015&highlight_key=y

So I may have to reject Job #1, the IT job which they call an internship, but honestly, I don't see how it is one considering no one's major is really like that. To me, it's more of just a job, or maybe it could be an internship for a 1st year college student.

I spoke to the hiring manager of Job #2 who I interviewed with last time. I spoke with the engineer who called me yesterday also (Another person who interviewed me), and I pointed out that to both of them that I would be more interested in the internship they could offer me as opposed to the IT job in SF.

I spoke to a few people, and I think it's safe to say that I have a good chance of getting an offer. They said how they already made background checks and what not from before, so HR should be able to work on a offer letter tomorrow. If they get caught up in anything, they said they can at least give me a verbal decision tomorrow so I can let my other offer know my decision.

So I have a few questions as usual, and how do I go about rejecting the job (if I need to). HR called me yesterday with the offer, and left a number that I said I would get back to once I let them know my decision. I also have the # of the hiring manager (the IT guy). Whom do I call? Do I just keep it short like "Hi, I've taken some time to think about the offer, and it's a great opportunity, but I've decided to take a position at another company.. Thanks for your time and for interviewing me.. blah blah" Add a little more thanks here and there and maybe even a short reason for why I'm taking up the other offer.

I should also mail something out or email? Or what? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[xanis]

Just say something like:

"Thanks for giving me the great opportunity, but I've decided to take a position with another employer."

 

[spidey07]

1st rule...no written offer = no offer. E-mail is NOT a written offer.
2nd rule...a call to the HR contact to decline would suffice, thank you for your time, please keep my resume on file, blah, blah, blah
3rd rule...never a bad idea to string the declining offer along somewhat to get them to raise compensation

It's like fishing. You can nibble all you want but until the hook is set (acceptance of written offer, in writing) the fish isn't in the boat so to speak.

 

[imported_Imp]

No reason to tell them you took another position. Could just say that 'something has come up'. What I did, but it was kind of a stab at them for waiting so long to tell me...

 

[DaveSimmons]

3rd rule...never a bad idea to string the declining offer along somewhat to get them to raise compensation

I wouldn't try that with us. If we made an effort to increase our offer then you let us know you still weren't taking the job, we'd remember you stringing us along if you ever applied again.

bridges_burned ++ ;

A larger company will probably have a shorter memory though.

 

[jackace]

What if your increase wasn't enough still?

 

[Gunslinger08]

They don't need to know that you've taken a different position. Just tell them that after struggling with the decision for the past day or two, you've decided to take a different path. Thank them for their time and wish them luck in the continued search for an employee.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Write a polite letter ... it then gets forwarded to all interviewers in some cases (most?)

Even though you decline the offer, say no thank you in a manner that they would not be turned off from interviewing you in 2 years time.

"Than you for the offer. I found the position interesting. However, I must decline the offer at this time. I thank you for the opportunity to take employ with your company."

Something simple, short and to the point that does not offend. And it has to be written and done ASAP isnce they might have to take their second choice ASAP.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: jackace
What if your increase wasn't enough still?

It would depend on how it was handled, and whether you signalled you were stringing us along as Spidey suggested you do.

If we offered (say) $60K, you said you were expecting something in the $65-70K range and we offered $68 then you just said "sorry another company offered more" or "I changed my mind" we might be annoyed.

If money was the only reason you weren't taking our job, and you had a higher offer, why not give us the opportunity to counter-offer? It's your perogative of course, but it's ours to remember your behavior if you apply again, and move you to the bottom of the resume pile. Why bother interviewing you again if "I want the job" doesn't really mean that you do?

Edit: this is a small company though, not a multinational megacorp where everyone is an interchangeable worker unit.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

3rd rule...never a bad idea to string the declining offer along somewhat to get them to raise compensation

I wouldn't try that with us. If we made an effort to increase our offer then you let us know you still weren't taking the job, we'd remember you stringing us along if you ever applied again.

bridges_burned ++ ;

A larger company will probably have a shorter memory though.

If you can't catch the fish, then don't go fishing.

People are so worried about "offending" a potential employer. Screw that. Do you know how hard it is to fill positions with qualifed people? I'm sure you do. Positions can remain open for a year or more because they can't hook the fish. They have many nibbles "I'm very interested" but they can't pull the trigger.

This is business. You get what you pay for. One is selling oneself and shouldn't sell oneself short just like any product.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Ugh. So I got my offer letter from Job #2, and I signed it right away. Since they were rushed, it's contingent on my background check which they haven't finished yet.

Job #1 called me this morning and I asked for a few more hours and I just called back to say that I'm sorry but I've taken another position. I did say that I was waiting on another interview's results before so even if I didn't say I took a different position, it's pretty obvious I've taken up another offer. I did apologize to them saying that this opportunity did come out of nowhere (which it kinda did because I didn't expect the company to call me back 2 months after my interview with a 2nd chance). I hope it went well. Since I spoke with HR, I think it's time to write a polite email to the hiring manager.