How do you say NO to a job offer?

She Devil

Hey everybody, i went for an interview yesterday ... got on exceptionally well. But as soon as i came out of there i realised i didn't want the job.
Due to travel times etc ..... now my recruitement agent has been phoning me and i'm wondering how rude is it to say i don't want it, and how do i approach it. I NEED a job, but this would take me an hour and a half to get to work and i know i wouldnt be happy ......

Einstein

dont forget an interview aint just for the company, you're interviewing them.
Same way as they dont hire people with certain qualities, you dont have to take a job with certain qualities either.

Dont worry, they wont take it personally

qwertz

Wait and see if they make an offer. You can always say no at that stage.

xbox36016

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

jaffa20

Move I wouldn't turn down a job because of travel times. It takes me about an hour and half to get to where i work at the moment.

Kila

Wait and see if they make an offer (the recruitment company could just be calling to ask how you think it went). If you're still convinced that you don't want it, thank them politely for the offer, and for any time they spent helping you prepare for the interview.

Explain that you feel the position isn't quite right for you, so unfortunately, you won't be accepting the offer of employment. If you feel uncomfortable simply turning it down for that reason, perhaps mention that you've received other offers, or would like to continue looking at some other positions.

The recruiter might be disappointed, but you're better to be honest than to avoid their call.

Thoie

Just be honest with the agency. Tell them that due to other factors, a 3 hour commute is not feasible for you at the moment, etc. I turned down a job because as well as a ridiculous commute, I got the impression from the interview that the job spec was radically different from what they were actually looking for.

Remember, most agencies usually only get their commission after you've been with the company for x months - so if you're likely to leave before then it's a waste of everyone's time. By being upfront about it and explaining that you are genuinely seeking similar positions, the agency will continue working with you. Explain that if the position/company/something was different, the commute wouldn't be an issue, but as it stands you don't think it would do anyone any favours if you just accepted this straight out.

Glowing

Moving house for a job is not always a practical option!! I'd never move for a job unless I was a 100% sure I'd still be working there 5 years later! Besides I like where I live ... so if I can find something that's close by (within reason) then all the better.

I've turned down interviews and jobs because I wouldn't be able to handle the commute - work to live, not live to work!!

Eoin

jaffa20 wrote: »

Move

Do you mean move house? I'd be more inclined to pick a job that suits my location, rather than the other way around.

jaffa20 wrote: »

I wouldn't turn down a job because of travel times. It takes me about an hour and half to get to where i work at the moment.

If you had to go from (for example) an hour both ways to 3 hours both ways, it would be a massive difference. Especially if you have other commitments.

the_syco

Is the 1.5 hour journey with one bus, or several? Also, how is it compared to other places?

By this, I mean, would the jobs you're applying to be arounf that area?

The 1.5 hour journey is a killer (did it for over a year), but it was a good job, the money was better than my then current job, and it offered a step on the ladder to my choosen career.

Also, remember: if you say no to this job, you may forfeit any vacancies nearby that area.

Gillo

If you don't want it, just them they'll appreciate the honesty.

That said, not wanting to sound like a scare mongerer (spelling??) but considering the current climate it may be worth considering how easy you can find another job especially if the commute is the only issue. I spend the guts of three hours most days travelling and yeah it's crap, but I normally have a book or watch a movie on my ipod and often have a nap on the train aswell, yeah it's a bummer but you get used to it.

mikemac

A 3 hour commute is madness.
I reckon you should allow one hour max for a work commute and that's there and back.
And if you exceed this you need to start calculating what your salary works out per hours so 3 hours a days could be thousands! And that's not even including an annual bus/train ticket or all the running costs of a car/motorbike.

And look for solutions, if your commute involves buses across a city, then a scooter might cut the time by over a half. Don't sit frustated in traffic for hours every day and say you have no choice, there is always a choice.

Work to live, not live to work OP :cool:

A 3 hour commute is madness.
I reckon you should allow one hour max for a work commute and that's there and back.
And if you exceed this you need to start calculating what your salary works out per hours so 3 hours a days could be thousands! And that's not even including an annual bus/train ticket or all the running costs of a car/motorbike.

It's practically impossible to get anywhere in under half an hour at rush hour in Dublin. I mean, your job could be only 5km away, but because of the traffic, that could mean a 45 minute bus journey. I used to work in Fairview and live in Rathgar - not far at all distance wise, but it would take me almost an hour and a half to get there and the same to get back. The same distance in NYC used to take me 20 mins door to door but the commute is the price you pay for living somewhere with such crap public transport.

mikemac

You could walk 5km in 45minutes at a fast pace. Very fast actually.
You could cycle in 25 minutes max, probably not even that long.
You could do it on a moped in 15 minutes.

Look for solutions, not problems

She Devil

I would not move for this job, or any job for that matter, i love where i live, its why i moved here. My partner and I thought long and hard about where would suit us both and this is there. I intend on being here for a long time. Moving isnt always practical.

Anyway i turned it down ...... Back to the drawing board for me :cool:

Kenny_D

Did a similar commute for 6 months and it's an absolute killer. Took me an hour and 40 minutes in and out each day. Involved almost a full journey on the red luas line and the full run on the green luas every morning. Ended up not enjoying the job because I wasn't getting home in the evening til half seven or eight some nights and was in bed by half nine or ten to get up early. It's not worth it so don't worry about it not being a valid reason for not taking the job. I'm lookin for work at the moment but there's no way I'm applying for anywhere with another commute like that. I'd happily take a drop in salary to have a more conveniant location