It's OK to Turn Down a Job You Lobbied Hard For

Did you know that it’s okay to work hard to land a job — and then turn it down? 

When you’re looking for a job, you come to every interaction with an enthusiastic attitude. You want to come across as an attractive, viable candidate for the role and set yourself apart from other candidates based on your experience and aptitude.  

So, when the offer comes in, your likely first emotion is “I did it!” 

But before you follow that up with “I’ll take it!” you should carefully consider if this is really the role, the company, and the boss for you. Is the offer what you expected?  

If the answer to any of these questions is “no” or “probably not,” you may want to dig into your reservations rather than downplay them. If at the start of your job search you identified your motivations for making a job change and the qualities you desire in a new role and new employer, then go back to those answers for guidance.  

You will not burn a bridge with a hiring manager or a recruiter just because you decline a job offer. Provided, that is, that you handle it with grace. I suggest: 

🟡  Tell the hiring manager or recruiter as soon as you’ve made a decision, without delay 

🟡  Thank them for their time and give a clear but not detailed reason for your decision 

🟡  Ideally, this is a phone call, not an email 

In the end, it needs to be a successful match, otherwise those reservations will resurface. It’s your choice to accept the offer, so pause, reflect, and then decide.