How To Decline A Job Offer: Guide, Sample Letters And Emails

How should you decline a job? Should you decline a job? Even if the job offer wasn’t great, it’s polite to decline.

When you decline a job offer, what you say or write depends on why.

In your email or phone conversation, say you liked the company but didn’t like the job.

If the target job was only inside sales, mention that you were interested in a position handling major accounts with a clear path to sales management. The employer may consider you for another role currently available or one that may open up in the future.

Note: Your response might include a mention of the key skill sets that you would like to employ, the level of responsibility toward which you wish to aspire, or other elements of the prospective job that were missing.

Tips for Turning Down a Job Offer

Make sure you don’t want the job before submitting the rejection letter, first try to negotiate a counteroffer if the position has a wage raise or other benefits. Rejection letters  barely result in rehire.

If you’ve carefully examined the chance and decided not to accept it, writing a polite, thankful, and timely job rejection letter is a great approach to keep the employer’s goodwill.

When You Don’t Like the Company

“Thanks for the opportunity” with a simple reference to the job not being a good fit at this time in your career is appropriate if the company’s culture, supervisor, or products or services are unappealing.

Candidates should avoid criticizing the company or their coworkers.

When the Job Doesn’t Pay Enough

Communicate if a position and company are appealing but the remuneration is low. If you cannot negotiate a higher salary, send a thank-you note and repeat your excitement about the work, but state that you must refuse due to the salary.

Once an employer sees you are willing to leave, they may offer you more. If a better income matters, be ready to negotiate.

Note: You never know when, if or how your paths might cross again, so it’s always a good show of professionalism to exhibit gratitude and timeliness.

What to Include in a Job Rejection Letter

Your letter should include the following:

• Expression of appreciation for the offer
• Written rejection of the offer

Even in declining a position, all correspondence should be professional.

Note: As with any communication sent to an employer, it’s important to make sure that your letter is well written and does not contain typos or grammatical errors.

Sample Letters Declining a Job Offer

Review the following sample job rejection letters and use them as templates for your own letter.

Job Rejection Letter Example #1
Contact Name
Street Address
City, State Zip Code

Date

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

Thank you very much for offering me the position of Marketing Manager with Hatfield Industries. It was a difficult decision to make, but I have accepted a position with another company.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to interview me and to share information on the opportunity and your company.

Again, thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Your Name

Job Rejection Letter Example #2

Contact Name
Street Address
City, State Zip Code

Date

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

Thank you very much for offering me the opportunity to work at Bronson Associates. Unfortunately, I will not be accepting the position as it does not fit the path I am taking to achieve my career goals.

Once again, I’d like to express my gratitude for the offer and my regrets that it didn’t work out. You have my best wishes in finding someone suitable for the position.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Your Name

Job Rejection Email Example

Subject: Your Name – Unit Coordinator Position

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

Thank you for offering me the position of Unit Coordinator at Acme Enterprises and for reviewing my counteroffer with management. I fully understand that budgets are tight, but must regretfully decline the position at the current compensation.

Once again, I want to thank you so much for your graciousness during the negotiation process. I wish you and Acme all the best.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Your Name