Though you may be chomping at the bit for an employment opportunity and entry into your desired field, there’s always a difference between your dream job and ‘any’ job. In some cases, you may have sent through multiple applications to so many companies that it’s all become a blur. But what happens when the job offers start to come in, and you need to worry about turning some of them down? How do you reject a job interview?
Though it might seem to be an enviable position, there may be several reasons why these particular positions are not right for you.
One of the most common reasons recruiters often hear is time as a major factor in deciding whether or not you should take a job.
If you are too busy, it’s not the right time, or you don’t think this is the right step for you to take, to reject a job interview might seem like an incredibly daunting task, particularly during these challenging times.
When Is Declining The Interview The Right Call?
If it’s not the right call for you, you’ll know for sure on your terms. But if you’re looking for additional reasons to make the declined offer seem more ‘valid’ to others, you could try:
- You have accepted another job offer, as someone already offered a better offer to you.
- Too many dealbreakers (red flags, mandatory overtime, lack of contact) affect your perspective on the offer.
- The offer doesn’t align with your overall vision of how you wish to continue your career progress.
- Your plans or circumstances have changed since applying, and it is no longer suitable for you to take the opportunity.
- Your work situation has changed – you may have applied for the position before being promoted or are happier at your current role than when you originally applied.
How Should You Decline A Job Interview?
Before sending that rejection letter or making the call, you should:
- Make sure that you want to turn down the opportunity.
- Aim to respond within a few days so that it looks like careful consideration and thought was given to the chance (even if it was an instant ‘no’ on your part.
- Start with thanking them for their time and the opportunity in your rejection.
- Keep the reasoning behind the rejection brief and vague.
- Suggest someone else – if you know someone for whom the role might fit better, you could direct the recruiter’s attention to them instead.
