How to turn down job offer

[HNA444]

Update from my last post: I spoke with an employment attorney, and she was shocked at the things I told her about my previous boss, and said he seems like he is issues but that he hasn’t done anything illegal. I thought making racist comments, sexual comments, and drinking alcohol were all illegal to do in workplace setting, so I asked especially about the drinking, and she said it wasn’t. I didn’t bother to go on about it and just said thank you. I also asked an attorney that I know, and they told me not to not bother with the lawsuit, but that I could make a complaint with the labor union about my paycheck. I decided to just leave everything alone and move on. I’m not going to make the complaint about my paycheck yet, because I don’t want him to know anything and cause further drama with him. Right now, I’m just focusing on finding a new job.

Yesterday I got offered a job position, but I’m not that happy about the job. I feel I just applied because I was getting nervous about not finding a job, so I applied to a bunch of jobs. It’s close to home and it’s a nice office, but I really want a different type of position. I kindly declined the offer, and told her it was the pay (which is a reason also, but not the main). She said she would like to discuss it with me, this Wednesday. I agreed and told her thank you. This always happens to me, I will decline/turn down something, and then somehow end up getting sucked in and trying to please the other person. I don’t know what to do now. I know I would be fine money wise for a little bit, especially with my upcoming paycheck, to where I can have time to find something I really want and where I can grow at. I don’t feel I could advance or grow at this job. How should I tell her no again, in the most polite way?

 

[Viki63]

I would describe the kind of job you are looking for, and mention that you don’t think the position she’s offering you would meet those criteria. Maybe she could tweak the job so it does suit you.
At least, you won’t have burnt your bridges.

Alternately, you could accept it but say you would like to make it a short term thing, until you can find something that you are looking for. She may decline that.

I just have a hard time picturing anybody turning down a job offer,because whenever I’ve looked for one I’ve been desperate. But it sounds like you’re not, which is great.

.

 

[Irishmom2]

"Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you, and for your kind offer, but I have decided to go with something else. "

Period. You do not ever need to say why you are not taking the job.

 

[SuperHappy]

You must have a good skill set to be interviewed and offered a position so quickly. So many people can’t even get interviews.

I would still go to the interview but be honest that the job isn’t a good fit for what you’re looking for. Since you used the money as the reason for not accepting, she will probably offer more.

I hope you find a fulfilling position soon!

 

[Xystus]

"Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you, and for your kind offer, but I have decided to go with something else. "

Period. You do not ever need to say why you are not taking the job.

This. I once turned down a job offer with essentially the same wording.

 

[EasterJoy]

It is a very good sign that they want you, but it may be because you are over-qualified and it would be better for them to have you than the other way around.

If you are certain you will not take the job, then promptly call and say, “I am very sorry, but I have decided that while your organization is offering a good job it is unfortunately not a good fit for me, and not just because of the salary. I’ve decided it would be the best to cancel our meeting on Wednesday in order to save your time and free you to look for a candidate who will accept your offer. It is a good job, and I do hope you find a wonderful person to fill it. I’m hoping to get a somewhat different sort of position. Since I have barely started my job search I’m going to keep looking to see if I can find exactly that kind of position.”

If that position exists in the company that offers the job you don’t want, then by all means describe exactly the job you want. If it comes open, you may get a phone call. The company may even have you come down on Wednesday to discuss offering you just that job. Stranger things have happened. If you simply do not want to work for the company but have to admit that (unlike your last position) you would work for them in a pinch, then turn the job for more vague reasons, such as: “It isn’t just the salary. I just don’t have the feeling that it is the right job. I can’t explain it, but I do think enough of your company to want you to have someone who will come into that position without any of the reservations I’m feeling right now. I appreciate your efforts, but to be fair to you I have to insist on turning you down right now.”

 

[runningdude]

. How should I tell her no again, in the most polite way?

You say “Thank you for the the offer, but I have decided to take my career in a different direction”.

The other employer would rather you be direct than waste her time and yours.

 

[nodito]

If she wants to discuss with you again it’s because she wants to negotiate the pay. If the job isn’t ideal, but you would seriously consider doing it if the pay were better, you could see whether the salary was able to rise to meet your expectations. There are a lot of jobs I wouldn’t even look at for X but would definitely consider if they were paying Y or Z.

If it still doesn’t seem like a good fit: “Thank you, but I’ve decided to go in another direction.”