An applicant for a position may be rejected at any stage of the selection process, even during the decisive interview. This is due to the fact that the person may receive a new job offer that is more interesting. There may be other situations when you need to give a negative answer. Therefore, the question of how to properly refuse an employer after an interview is very relevant.
When an invitation to an interview has just been received
If you have received an invitation to an interview, but as the agreed date approaches, you change your mind about accepting the vacancy, you can refuse by simply not showing up. But even in this case, one must observe business ethics. However, in this case, the employer may remember this unprofessional behavior. It is possible that your interests will intersect in the future. In the professional circle, the world is a much smaller place than many people think. You will be able to meet again in the future for another interview with the same employer.
The higher the position of the person conducting the interview, the more business-like politeness is desirable. The best solution in this case would be to call the employer and personally message about the decision taken. In this case, the recruiter can ask about the reasons and provide more information in order to convince and try to change the decision. Perhaps these arguments will be convincing.
In almost all cases, it is uncomfortable to refuse, and sometimes there is simply no time for it. In such conditions, you can write a letter and indicate the decision made and thank you for the opportunity.
Refusal after interview
At the interview, more information is usually provided about the vacancy (tasks to be solved, resources, responsibility, etc.), about the possible manager, company and working conditions. Something may simply not fit or not suit you. In this case, you can inform about the decision by phone or in a letter. However, it becomes possible to justify your refusal.
From the very beginning, it would be right to figure out for yourself why a certain vacancy does not suit you. When discussing this with the employer, you can clarify questions of interest. For example, there could be a misunderstanding and you will be provided with additional information. In addition, they may offer a different vacancy that will better suit your interests.
When receiving a job offer
Each side spent a lot of time and effort. But already at the finish line, the job seeker can refuse it. In this case, the other side will want and has the right to know the reasons.
When answering the question of how to politely refuse an employer after an interview, you need to understand that the employer wants to know how the current situation looks from the outside. By learning about the reasons, the employer can improve working conditions or create additional motivation.
Common reasons for refusal
When studying how to refuse an employer after an interview, you can note the following:
Basic principles of refusal
To successfully and correctly refuse an employer after an interview, you must follow certain rules. Let's consider the main ones:
Example of how to write a refusal
You can proceed according to the following scheme:
An example of how to refuse an employer after an interview: “Thank you very much for considering my candidacy and spending a lot of time on this. Your organization really impressed me, so it was not an easy decision to make. Although this type of work meets my expectations, at first I did not pay attention to the details, which seemed insignificant to me. Now I see that your proposal does not suit me. I'm very sorry about this. Once again I would like to thank you for your attention to me and your time. I wish you success in finding the right employee."
Successfully passing an interview can be the first step for. The page tells you how to avoid losing your job. Do you want to know how to quickly get used to a new team? Read about it.
You saw an advertisement for a vacancy that interested you, sent your resume, received an invitation to an interview, and then the employer said the coveted “you’re accepted” - isn’t this an ideal scenario? At first glance, it seems that nothing better can be imagined - you suit them in all respects, they want to see you as part of their team, and all you have to do is put on a carefully ironed suit and plunge headlong into the pool of new career passions. But here’s the problem: after such a successful meeting, for some reason you don’t want to get a job at this company. What to do in this case? How to refuse an employer?
Still, you can’t order your heart, and if your candidacy completely suits the potential employer, but you don’t feel the same sympathy at all, then it’s unlikely that anything worthwhile will come out of this career union. Having returned from an interview, in which a satisfied boss has already shown you the future office and told you which donuts in the buffet are the most delicious, you understandably feel backed into a corner: “This is not at all what I’m looking for. I was wrong, I don't want to work there. But what should I do if they have stopped their search and are expecting me to take my chair at the office desk literally any day now?
You must remember that the job market is like a regular market, and you can always refuse what you don't want to buy.
People who find themselves in a situation where they have to refuse an employer after an interview feel, to put it mildly, awkward. Issues of business ethics are also mixed with issues of interpersonal relationships: “I am letting down those who chose me from dozens of similar applicants. It's not beautiful. But also to give up your own desires I don't want". As a result, the “failed employee” begins to invent non-existent reasons for refusal or completely disappears from view: he does not show up at work and does not answer calls. Recruiters advise not to make a show and remain calm: you must remember that the job market is akin to a regular market, and you can always refuse what you don’t want to buy. Moreover, this is exactly what employers do - they easily say “no” to applicants who are not suitable for them.
So, your candidacy has been approved, but you have already found the best option or simply not sure that you want to work in a place where you are so welcome - what to do in this situation?
Don't hide
Perhaps you are ashamed and it seems that you simply cannot competently explain to the employer the reason for your refusal, so the only correct option in such a situation is not to answer calls and emails, or, simply put, to disappear. However, recruiters claim that this is a fundamentally wrong approach. Agree, you spent a lot of effort and time on these meetings and negotiations; company representatives also distracted themselves from important matters to talk with you personally. At the very least, it’s ugly to just “evaporate.” The hiring party has the right to know why you changed your mind at the last minute.
No fairy tales
Even if you are great at making up all sorts of tall tales on the fly, use your skill in another situation; now it’s better to say everything as it is. Firstly, business world, especially within the same city, is not that huge, and eventually the deception may be revealed, which will adversely affect your reputation. Well, and secondly, no one will curse you for the fact that you “have already found a more suitable option” or “imagine your work differently and prefer to consider a few more proposals.” Why make up fairy tales when you can be honest? Although there are some nuances here: if the reason for the refusal is antipathy towards the future leader and his management model, then you should not lay all your cards on the table, it is better to limit yourself to a polite: “Unfortunately, your conditions do not suit me.”
Explain that the decision to refuse was not easy for you, and apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Don't burn bridges
You must understand that the likelihood that you will be called back for an interview with this company next time is extremely low. However, it will tend to zero if during the last conversation you leave a bad impression of yourself. Therefore, be extremely polite, thank the employer for the interest he showed in you, as well as for the time he devoted to you. Explain that the decision to refuse was not easy for you, and apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Personal contact
It is best if you communicate your refusal by telephone, but if this is not possible, then you should choose the email form. You shouldn’t write ten pages of an “explanatory note”; you can limit yourself to one paragraph, but try to make it as meaningful as possible. As an example, you can use the following text: “Dear Ivan Ivanovich, I am grateful to you for your interest in my candidacy, as well as for the time you devoted to me. It was a pleasure to meet such a wonderful leader, but, unfortunately, I have to refuse your offer. The fact is that I found a more suitable option and, after weighing all the pros and cons, I chose it. Sorry for getting your hopes up, this decision really wasn't easy for me. Thanks again for your time and attention. All the best, goodbye."
Instructions
Whatever your reasons, the arguments you give as the reason for your refusal must be thoughtful, balanced and formulated in such a way that the employer feels that you are considering your refusal from his position too. To prepare and justify your refusal, take a time out.
Assess the consequences of your transition from the employer's point of view. An excellent motivation will be your expressed confidence that if you move to another position, you will have to leave work on solving problems that are very important for the company. Explain to the employer that finding a replacement for you will take a lot of time and will be quite expensive for the company.
In a situation where you want to refer to the impossibility of accepting the offer due to the fact that at the moment you need to solve some family problems, you do not need to start the conversation by mentioning them. First, thank them for their trust and say that this offer is very interesting to you. Show that you are in control of the situation and that you are aware of the company's policies. Then say that you have analyzed your capabilities, but will only be able to fully realize them after some time, since at this stage you are faced with important problem in a family that requires your participation to resolve. Such a refusal will not be perceived as an insult and you, at the same time, will show yourself as a responsible person and demonstrate the makings of a future leader.
It also happens that you are not satisfied with the direction of activity that they are going to entrust to you. In this case, it makes sense to say this directly, thanking you for your trust. Share your plans and consult with your manager whether it will be possible to bring them to life.
Refusal to work is an unpleasant but inevitable procedure: from the many applicants who respond to a vacancy, you always have to choose only one or at most a few.
You will need
- - computer;
- - Internet access;
- - Email.
Instructions
If your company is looking for employees through recruitment agencies, describe as best as possible the person you see available. Please report your level, work experience, knowledge of foreign languages, availability driver's license. In this way, you will be able to avoid interviews with applicants who are absolutely unsuitable for the vacancy. And, accordingly, you won’t have to refuse those who didn’t pass.
In a situation where several candidates are suitable in all respects, a re-interview is necessary. Organize a joint interview with all applicants. Ask to complete tasks in your specialty. Whoever does it better and faster will get the position. Explain to the others after the meeting that they are not suitable for you because another candidate was more successful. Don't be afraid of negative reactions. Your company has the right to open a vacancy for its top-notch employee.
Sometimes you have to interview big amount applicants - fifty or more people at a time. Usually happens at castings or when hiring for a hypermarket chain. In this case, after talking with all applicants, ask those who are suitable to stay. Just list the names of those who passed the test. Thank everyone else for their time and wish them success in their future searches.
Video on the topic
“We’ll call you back” - this phrase has long become synonymous with refusal, although sometimes HR managers actually call the applicant back and offer to meet again. Other methods of working with candidates are rarely practiced, despite the fact that the image of any organization may suffer from this. How can you refuse a job applicant without affecting anyone’s interests?
Instructions
Based on the results of the first interview with applicants for the position, be sure to announce another round of interviews if there are two or more worthy candidates. Send refusals in writing to the remaining applicants. In this case, it is necessary that the text contains links to relevant articles Labor Code.
If the candidate does not suit you professional qualities, don't write about it directly. It is best to say this in a veiled form. For example, that after reviewing the resumes of all possible candidates, you came to the conclusion that your company is simply not able to hire everyone. And therefore, in view of the upcoming revision staffing table, the resumes of all applicants will be stored in a special folder in order to reduce the time it takes to find specialists in the future. It is not known whether your company is planning to expand its staff or not, but this form of refusal will most likely not offend the candidate, but will instill in him confidence in his abilities.
If the candidate does not suit you in terms of personal qualities (untidy appearance, repulsive manner of communication, etc.), refuse him due to his lack of qualities necessary to perform this work in accordance with job description. Of course, if you are recruiting a staff of managers, then the applicant’s lack of communication skills and the concept of cleanliness can be considered as a mismatch for the position. objective indicators. But if you hire workers in a workshop, this formulation is clearly not suitable. Try to conduct another round of interviews (for example, in the form of completing some task to confirm your qualifications).
You can write a refusal in two stages. First, send the candidate for the position you don’t like a notice that his candidacy (and several others) is being considered by the head of the organization. A few days later, send another letter with regret about the impossibility of hiring him, since the manager chose another candidate from among the possible applicants for the position. Be sure to notify your manager of all your actions and give real reasons for refusal in a conversation with him.
Video on the topic
When a vacant position appears, employers make an offer for the actual vacancy in their organization. If a candidate is not suitable for it for any reason, he has the right refuse in hiring. But if the applicant writes a letter or statement of disagreement with this, the employer must competently formalize in writing a refusal to hire for this position.
You may find yourself in a difficult situation if you have already scheduled an interview with a prospective employer and now have to find yourself in two places at once, or if new opportunities have opened up for you. In this case, you need to cancel or reschedule the interview, which is quite difficult to do tactfully. However, you can easily and politely cancel an interview without losing professional look in the eyes of the employer.
Steps
Postponement of the interview
- Never text to reschedule an interview, otherwise you will look unprofessional.
- If you end up leaving a message or sending an email, ask the interviewer to contact you to confirm that they received your notice.
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Apologize for the inconvenience. Typically, scheduling an interview involves coordinating the schedules of several people. Therefore, cancellation or rescheduling usually causes inconvenience for several parties involved in the action. Don't assume that the interviewer's schedule revolves around you, so apologize for causing any inconvenience. Try to be flexible if you ask to reschedule. If a person sees that you are making every effort to make the interview happen, they will be more likely to agree to reschedule it.
Send a follow-up message to the interviewer. Once you contact the interviewer about rescheduling, send them a private message or email re-apologizing and expressing your interest in the company. The person may be upset or annoyed that you canceled, so use this message as an opportunity to express your sincere regret and desire to reschedule the interview.
Only reschedule an interview as a last resort. Try changing other plans before doing this. The interview serves as a first impression with a potential employer, so rescheduling may seem unprofessional. If possible, change other parts of your schedule before rescheduling your interview.
Contact the interviewer early. Rescheduling an interview can be a huge inconvenience for everyone involved. Therefore, it is important to contact the potential employer at least 24 hours before the scheduled date. When you talk to them, provide a brief explanation of why you need to reschedule the interview. Be as honest as possible. Offer the interviewer several alternative interview dates that would suit you.
Talk to the interviewer directly rather than leaving a message. Try to establish direct contact with the potential employer instead of sending email or leave a message. Talking on the phone will make you look like a responsible professional. Make an effort to contact the interviewer in multiple ways, and only leave a message or send an email if you can't get through by phone.
Complete cancellation of the interview
Please notify us in advance if your interview is cancelled. Contact the interviewer as soon as you learn that you need to cancel your interview. Don't waste anyone's time by delaying this moment. It's best to do this as soon as you realize you're no longer interested in interviewing for the position. The interviewer will appreciate your advance notice and you will appear much more professional.
Be honest about the reasons why you are canceling the interview. Whether you have accepted an offer from another company or are simply no longer interested in a scheduled interview, let the employer know. He should appreciate your honesty so he can resume his search for other candidates.
Maintain professionalism so you don't burn bridges behind you. You never know when you'll need another job, or when you and an interviewer will cross paths (in a professional or personal setting). Therefore, when canceling an interview, it is best to remain courteous and professional, as burning bridges is always bad idea. Don't be rude when canceling an interview or disrespect the employer's company. Stick to a simple explanation of why you want to cancel, and then end the conversation.
Canceling an interview as an employer
Contact the candidate as soon as you realize you need to cancel the interview. Within professional ethics It is necessary to notify in advance about the cancellation or rescheduling of an interview. Waiting until the last minute could be bad for your business. If you are sincerely interested in hiring a potential employee, be sure to demonstrate high professionalism. Canceling an interview at the last minute may cause him to lose interest in your company.
The candidate has the right to refuse a vacancy at any stage of the selection process, even at the final interview stage. After all, at any moment he can receive a new job offer, which (compared to the present one) represents for him more interest. But how to refuse correctly and preserve your memory as a professional? The answer is given by our expert, head of HeadHunter career services Marina Khadina.
After being invited for an interview
If you were invited to an interview*, but you changed your mind about going, the easiest way is not to come at all, thereby refusing the employer. However, even in such situations, it is important to adhere to business ethics. If you miss an interview without warning anyone, the employer will conclude and remember this unprofessional behavior. It is quite possible that your paths will cross over time. The world is especially small in professional circles: people move from company to company, and one day you may meet again for an interview at a more desirable company or even as colleagues within the same organization.
Moreover, the higher the level of the position, the more desirable it is to maintain business politeness.
How to do it better? Ideally, you need to call your employer (contact person) and personally inform them of your decision. In the case of such a personal call, the employer still has the opportunity to ask about the reasons and, if necessary, give you more information about the vacancy in order to convince you. It is possible that you will change your mind and come to the meeting.
It is always psychologically uncomfortable or there is no time to refuse. Therefore, if you have firmly decided that this offer is not for you, and you do not see any reason for a personal meeting with the employer, then you can write a polite letter with your decision to refuse and with gratitude for this opportunity.
After the interview
After the interview, more information appears about the vacancy itself (role, tasks, area of responsibility, resources), about the company, about the potential manager and about working conditions (material and intangible). Perhaps some of the information received was not very attractive to you, and you decide to refuse. Here, as at the previous stage, there are two constructive options: call and inform about your decision or write. The only difference is that the reason for refusal will be more specific.
I recommend that you clearly formulate for yourself why this or that vacancy is not interesting to you. Since if this is discussed with the employer or with recruiting agency you clarify your job search criteria. Firstly, it may turn out that you did not understand each other exactly, and you will receive new, more accurate information. Secondly, you will be able to be offered another vacancy (both the employer and the recruiter from recruitment agency), which will more fully meet your interests.
After completing all stages and/or receiving a job offer
Both parties (both you and the potential employer) invested a lot of time and effort and shared information. And if at the final stage you made a negative decision, then this must be voiced to the other party, for whom it is important to know the reasons.
Explanation is the key point, because... the employer needs to understand your motives, as well as an outsider’s view of the situation (vacancy). Moreover, discussing the reasons, as in the previous case, can lead to clarification or even revision of some variables. And there are cases when the employer makes a more advantageous offer or adjusts the conditions taking into account the motivation of the applicant.
If you haven't decided yet, but the employer insists on your answer. You can also honestly say: you have another proposal, it is more interesting to you based on such and such parameters, and the current one is interesting based on such and such parameters. And you need time or Additional Information, to solve. This behavior is more constructive for you, since in the case of an open dialogue, it becomes possible to find out more information or even revise some variable proposals.
If you don’t want to talk about the presence of other proposals just yet, then you can, by analogy with the previous scenario, say: this proposal lacks such and such a factor for your unambiguous positive decision, and you need time to think about it. It is important to indicate the time you need to think. Such an answer will guide the other side: how much to expect, what confuses you, etc. Perhaps the employer will be able to offer you something in return to make your decision easier.
You may have already made a choice in favor of a specific employer and given your consent. Other employers need to be told somehow that you have chosen a different option. The most undesirable development scenario: the employer calls, waiting for a decision or even already starting work, and the applicant ignores and remains silent.
What's the best thing to do? You can always honestly say that you have another offer (without the name of the company) that is more interesting to you based on certain criteria. As a last resort, write about the same. But don't be silent. This is the most unprofessional behavior. And remember - don't burn bridges, your paths may cross in the professional world.
Reasons that applicants give as arguments for refusal
- Uninteresting financial conditions or compensation package structure.
- Working conditions are not suitable: office, workplace, location.
- Lack of opportunities professional development or an uninteresting vacancy: “I’ve already done it all, there’s no novelty, no development area.”
- Inconsistency between experience and what needs to be done (when the applicant himself understands that he cannot cope with this job).
- A discrepancy in views or temperament with a potential leader.
- Not congenial corporate culture companies.
- Volume of business trips.
*Your chances of being invited to an interview can easily be increased by creating a resume that in the best possible way will reflect skills, experience and strengths candidate.
