How to Decline a Job Offer Politely

The job hunt can be stressful. You’ve spent time updating your resume, filling out applications, and attending multiple rounds of interviews for different companies.

But what happens when all your hard work finally pays off and you receive an offer letter—only, it’s not the one you want? For various reasons, you may decide to continue searching after receiving a job offer.

And that’s okay! Even when saying no, you can do so in a positive and professional manner. In this article, we’ll give you tips and examples on how to decline a job offer politely so you don’t burn any bridges.

Reasons to Decline a Job Offer

There are some situations where it is in your best interest to decline a job offer, even if it may seem uncomfortable. Common reasons for declining an offer include:

Due to pay considerations
Because the job isn’t a good fit
You’ve accepted a different offer
You’ve decided to stay at your current job

No matter what the reason is for refusing a job offer, it’s perfectly okay to seek other opportunities that would be a better fit—or to realize you want to stay where you are. As long as you decline offers in the right way, no company should hold this against you.

How to Decline a Job Offer

Now, let’s get into the basics of how to decline a job offer politely and respectfully. There are a couple aspects to keep in mind when crafting a rejection message for a job offer.

Ensure Prompt Communication

Once you’ve decided to decline a job offer, your first step should be to send the company a message in a timely manner. Don’t make them wait for an answer when you already know your decision. Any delays could create a hassle for the hiring manager since they have to wait for your response before moving on to other candidates.

Remain Clear and Concise

It’s important to be straightforward and honest in your message. Rip the Band-aid off—you don’t need to spend lots of time trying to justify your decision or sugarcoat anything with excessive compliments. Avoid going into too much detail, especially if your decision is influenced by a negative aspect about the company.

Express Your Appreciation

Perhaps the most essential aspect of a job offer rejection is remembering to thank the hiring manager for the offer and their time. While it is part of their job to interview potential candidates, they still spend several hours reviewing your application, resume, and conducting multiple interview rounds.

It’s just polite to thank them for that effort and for believing that you would be a good fit for the company.

Offer a Brief Explanation

If you went through lots of interview rounds or the job offer is from a company you enjoyed, it’s respectful to not keep them guessing about why you’re declining the position. This doesn’t mean you should bring up all the things you found wrong with the company or why another company is so much better.

The best approach is to keep it simple and to the point. Discuss your specific reason for declining by saying you’ve accepted another position, decided to stay at your current position, or whatever the case may be.

Consider Staying in Touch

Certain industries have pretty small networks, so it’s worthwhile to remain on good terms with others in your field. This is especially true if the company is one you would consider working with later on. You can include a quick message to say you hope to cross paths with them in the future.

Job Offer Rejection Example

Dear [Hiring manager],

Thank you so much for offering me this position on your team. I appreciate the effort you put in to interview me and answer my questions about the role. I enjoyed meeting the team and learning more about the company, however I must unfortunately decline the offer.

After careful consideration of my future career goals, I’ve decided to pursue another opportunity that aligns with my current needs. I would love to stay in touch, and I wish you and the team all the best.

Thanks again,

[Your name]

Find Opportunities that Excite You

Still on the lookout for a position that feels like the right fit? We know what that’s like—that’s why we can help! Our job board can assist you in finding what you’ve been searching for.

Now that you know how to decline a job offer politely, why stop there? If you’re looking for additional tips, check out our Job Seeker Resources page or connect with us on LinkedIn to get our latest insights.