Declining a job after provisionally accepting it

allibastor

Hi All,

I am looking at advice more so than anything. I was offered and provisionally accepted a job offer, but I am having a change of heart on this now.
My current role has offered me a slight variation on my current role, which is more in line with my career goals, but I dont want to piss off the company which made the offer, its a small industry.

Any advice on this?

Other than clone myself, my brother said this already

Carlosthejakal

This happened to me a few years ago. Just call the company who offered you the job and politely decline, explaining the reason. Tell them that you appreciate their offer and maybe you could work together in the future.

Worked well for me and I am still on good terms with the company who offered me a position.

Greenmachine

allibastor wrote: »

Hi All,

I am looking at advice more so than anything. I was offered and provisionally accepted a job offer, but I am having a change of heart on this now.
My current role has offered me a slight variation on my current role, which is more in line with my career goals, but I dont want to piss off the company which made the offer, its a small industry.

Any advice on this?

Other than clone myself, my brother said this already

How slight a variation? Is it in name only? Did it involve a counter offer?
I don't actually want an answer to the last one that is for yourself. Those who take counteroffers very often very quickly jump ship and once there is a hint of descent the atmosphere might not be the same in the original job again.

Eoin

Happens a lot - don't worry too much about it. When you talk to them, make sure they know it wasn't just about getting leverage with your current place.

As Greenmachine is saying, make sure that you're staying for the right reasons and they're not just paying lip service to giving you a different role.

tomwaits48

It's business. Reject respectfully and move on. It'll be fine.

allibastor

Greenmachine wrote: »

How slight a variation? Is it in name only? Did it involve a counter offer?
I don't actually want an answer to the last one that is for yourself. Those who take counteroffers very often very quickly jump ship and once there is a hint of descent the atmosphere might not be the same in the original job again.

Hi,
Its actually more along the moving role and department side.i get what you say about counter offer though.
This new position though has a new boss and everything!

Greenmachine

allibastor wrote: »

Hi,
Its actually more along the moving role and department side.i get what you say about counter offer though.
This new position though has a new boss and everything!

The main thing is your satisfied that you are satisfied that there is a real difference in the two jobs roles. I have not experienced it personally but seen a few people I know had their titles change with no real change day to day job role. Never thought to ask them if they changed managers. The main thing as far as the provisional job offer is concerned is that you remain professional. You may see an even closer job match for their desired job path with the company in the future.

allibastor

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I did speak with my current companies owner just to clarify everything again, to be sure. I will be moving and heading up a new department with a different area of the company, so yes it is a fundamental change in what I was doing for the last while.

It is actually in line with what the new company had on offer, but better wages now for staying and to be fair I like the staff in the company I am with.

Now for that awkward call to the recruiter and the new company

skallywag

Hi OP.

If a potential employee ends up turning down a job offer which I make after giving only verbal acceptance etc then I would not be too put out to be honest. If on the other hand a contract had been signed, etc, then I would look on the situation in a whole different light.

eezipc

Yeah, if there is no contract signed then it's not a huge deal.
It happens alot and it's part and parcel of recruitment.
However, I have never had to make that phone call so I can imagine it is a bit awkward.

allibastor

Yeah, I feel awkward no more than anything.

No, no contracts were signed, only thing was i verbally accepted it last week, but upon thinking it over the weekend and clarifying a few thing currently where I work i have just decided it isnt in personal interests to go for it.

The new role I have been asked to head up here is something I have actually been looking to do for around 3 years or more, where as the new offer is working at the same level as I am doing currently.

I am such a coward!!!!!!

jive

allibastor wrote: »

Yeah, I feel awkward no more than anything.

No, no contracts were signed, only thing was i verbally accepted it last week, but upon thinking it over the weekend and clarifying a few thing currently where I work i have just decided it isnt in personal interests to go for it.

The new role I have been asked to head up here is something I have actually been looking to do for around 3 years or more, where as the new offer is working at the same level as I am doing currently.

I am such a coward!!!!!!

Look at it this way, if the role in the other company ended up not being required they wouldn't worry this much about telling you where to go.

Apologise for the inconvenience caused, tell them you appreciate the offer and time spent taken to interview you. A change in circumstances means you will be staying with your current company. Best of luck in filling the role. Fairly straight forward and nobody will be put out.