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It’s normal to decline a job offer. It may be because another offer aligns more with what you want to do with your career, has a better package, or because you know that the position is not the best fit for you. No matter what, it is important that you respond and do so promptly.
How to craft the “No Thank You” email:
The first step is to show your appreciation. Saying “thank you” goes a long way. The company most likely spent a lot of time looking over your resume, interviewing you, discussing your eligibility, and formulating an offer letter for you. As a result, it is essential to show the company you appreciated their time with a well thought-out note. Here is an example:
Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me. I enjoyed learning about the company and really appreciate you answering my questions about this position.
Next, it is important to include a brief reason why you are declining the position as to not leave your hiring manager in the dark. You don’t have to go into extensive detail as to why you are declining the offer, but keep your reasoning brief and concise. For instance, you can write:
After a lot of thinking, I have decided to accept a position at another company.
Or, if the reason you are declining the position is that you don’t think it is a good fit for you and you do not have another reason besides that, you can simply say, “This position does not exactly fit my career goals at this time.”
Lastly, it is a good idea to keep the door open for the future. The business world can be small, and having strong connections is key. You can say something like:
It was a pleasure to get to know you, and I would love to stay connected.
Overall, declining a job offer is a difficult situation to be in no matter what. Companies will respect you if you respond to them in a reasonable time frame and if your email expresses your gratitude towards the company.
Click here to learn more about declining a job offer.
