Author Topic: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?  (Read 2863 times)

PMG

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How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« on: July 06, 2021, 05:25:35 PM »
—- updated 9/8. Contract signed. Big fat increase in $ and responsibly.

« Last Edit: December 24, 2023, 06:58:17 PM by PMG »

gooki

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2021, 05:43:23 PM »
I'd keep it brief.

"Thanks for the offer but it's not the right role for me."

Or if you have a more personal relationship with the CEO

"Fuck no."




use2betrix

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2021, 05:53:25 PM »
If you don’t want the position, then there’s nothing more to think about? There’s nothing about your post at all that gives me a hint of thinking that you want it or feel confident enough to take it.

Personally, I’d be looking at my current salary and seeing what kind of salary the position would entail. It’s great that you have a big milestone of maxing out retirement acct’s, but you still have a good chunk of debt and the position could be a massive pay increase.

You seem very confident in that you don’t want it. Again, I would have a really hard time not accepting something like this and continually challenging myself. I have continued moving up in my career and sometimes I think it’d be nice to not have the same responsibility, but then I look at employees making 2-3x less than me, and I’m fine with the added work and responsibility..

Dicey

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2021, 05:55:14 PM »
Listen to your gut.

Late for a meeting*, so more later.

*Totally voluntary, but I'm in charge, lol.

Model96

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2021, 06:15:27 PM »
Are you sure you are not over-reacting, simply because you know too much detail about the new job and the people on the organisation?
I always prefer to have a go…..you can always back out later and that would truly test whether the organisation 'values' you.

Paul der Krake

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2021, 06:52:24 PM »
Bruh just take the job and bail in a year.

JJ-

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2021, 07:53:25 PM »
Bruh just take the job and bail in a year.

The bruh thing got a chuckle with me, for real, but I agree with this direction depending on how much "significant" is. It's worth a shot. Maybe you'll get to go back to your old job if it doesn't work out, or use new credentials to launch a new career track at a new company.

I have used both "it's not the direction I would like to take my career" and "it's not the right time for me". But, I work in gov not private so it may not be received as well.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2021, 08:34:12 PM by JJsfr »

Gone Fishing

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2021, 08:07:57 PM »
If your company is anything like my old company, you'll end up doing the old bosses job for months before they get around to hiring anyone, then when they do, you'll be responsible for training them now that you know how to do the job all for your current salary. I say take the money, get the step up then leave.  A sorry CEO is never going to get better and the effects will probably just trickle down to you with a new person as your boss anyway.

I'd look for a contract with a healthy severance package in it then only do what you can do in a sane number of hours.






Metalcat

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2021, 08:13:24 PM »
You're not asking for input on whether or not you should take it, so I'm not going to provide that input.

Instead, I'll simply answer your question as you posed it.
So what should you say? Well, it doesn't actually matter.

Could this negatively affect how your superiors view you? Maybe, yeah.
Could it hurt your potential upward mobility in the future? Maybe, yeah.
Could your boss take this as a personal insult? Maybe, yeah.

Do you really think that specific phrasing can actually influence any of those things? Lol, no, you don't have that power.

Keep it simple, just say that you won't be applying. Explain as little as humanly possible, and if you are pushed to give any kind of reason, then stick to something vague like "bad timing".

They want you in the role. If it's an easy role to fill, they probably won't give a shit if you aren't interested. If it's a hard role to fill, they might get butt hurt that you reject the opportunity. At the end of the day, their opinion of you will be based *almost entirely* on how inconvenient your decision is for them.

So don't over think it, and keep your answer as simple as possible.

Omy

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2021, 08:39:45 PM »
I would explore the position further with upper management to see exactly what their expectations are. How do they plan to train you to take over the new position? What does the compensation and benefit package look like?

It sounds like you are in a great negotiating position and they need you more than you need them. Getting a big increase in salary and responsibilities will position you well for negotiating a new job at another company in a year or two when you move for your partner.

My advice would likely be different if you told me you were close to FIRE or had family obligations that you needed to tend to. But it sounds like it's relatively early in your FIRE journey, and short term decisions you make now can have a big impact on your future career and in growing your investments. I would try it for a year, avoid lifestyle inflation, and plow everything into killing your debt and building the stash.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2021, 10:21:00 PM by Omy »

trollwithamustache

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2021, 09:49:09 PM »
whatever you say, keep it polite, short and to the point. Be prepared to repeat it and don't get sucked into expanding on it.

yachi

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2021, 06:45:20 AM »
Thank you for considering me for the replacement, it means a lot.  I'm thankful you recognize my strength and capability in my current role, and I'm happy to be doing what I do every day.  I've given this some thought, and I would like to remain in my current (individual contributor*, technical leadership*) role.  I know you'll be able to attract a good replacement for the position and I'll be excited to continue working under the new hire.

*Whatever descriptor works to convey the I'm doing the company's actual work vs I'm dealing with the company's internal BS and managing our own people

The CEO may have these concerns:

Make sure PMG doesn't feel overlooked in the replacement search.
Make sure PMG can climb the company ladder if they so desire.
Make sure PMG knows we like their work in the current role.

former player

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2021, 07:02:15 AM »
The only thing I would add to yachi's comment is that if you think it makes sense you could propose a reorganisation.

"Thank you for considering me for the replacement.  I'm thankful you recognize my strength and capability in my current role.

"I've given the new role a lot of thought.  There are aspects of it which are very interesting to me and to which I feel I could contribute a lot but there are others in which I feel the role may not be optimised in its current structure and level of support: if you are open to discussing this I'd be happy to share my input with a view to taking the role."

ender

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #13 on: July 07, 2021, 07:26:22 AM »
The new job would also involve being responsible for money and things, but I wouldn’t actually have control over them, just be responsible for them.  All of that just doesn’t settle well with me (Is it normal? Is that just real life? Am I naive to want better?)


This is kinda the case the more leadership responsibility you have.

It's only slightly different if you only have indirect responsibility. Right now, that's my situation, I'm in a role where I have a lot of responsibility for things I am only indirectly able to influence. But as someone in a leadership role this is rather the expectation.

People have this model in their head where managers/leadership can dictate everything and have control. And where managers just... have this ability to make things work the way they want, all the time.

But, even when you have direct responsibility you are most often heavily influencing people to do the right team. Sure you can mandate things but at some point you have to threaten people's employment in order to get all the things you might want. If you do this often you're going to find out most people don't like receiving this type of "leadership" style and you will realize you have to be careful to work to influence vs directly instruct.



Sibley

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #14 on: July 07, 2021, 08:39:21 AM »
askamanager.org

She just had a how to turn down a job thing yesterday.

BlueHouse

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #15 on: July 09, 2021, 03:12:21 PM »
from your original post, it sounds as if you haven't been offered the position.

You've only been asked to consider applying for it.  To me, that sounds like management's way to make sure you don't leave. 

Gronnie

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #16 on: July 09, 2021, 03:28:24 PM »
Chances are if you turn it down you'll end up doing a good chunk of it for free.

PMG

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #17 on: July 26, 2021, 10:08:30 AM »
..
« Last Edit: December 24, 2023, 06:58:47 PM by PMG »

MissNancyPryor

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #18 on: July 26, 2021, 10:27:48 AM »
When I read this my thought was like @Paul der Krake, just go for it, grab the cash, and use it as a stepping stone to something better if you can't stand it.  Once you pierce the bubble of being a leader at this level you acquire a sort of forcefield glow that makes you highly....transferrable....to something else if you choose.  And in the meantime your pile of green rectangles grows and you can get to FIRE way sooner if that is your goal. 

My final executive role was very tough and often had high levels of suckitude but if I hadn't done it I would still be working at the prior role or applying for lateral jobs where I could be equally unappreciated, all the while desperately wishing I was retired.  Because I took the risk to get the kick upstairs I was able to shock them with my early retirement and I am long gone with a fat FIRE stash.  I was saving about 75% at the end because my salary was high and it shoved me into the final stage of FIRE prep, staying only as long as I did because I wanted to go right before my 50th birthday, retiring at 49.  Who does that!?!  Well, we do. 

I controlled what I could, was excellent to my staff, and accepted that my leaders were immovable dumb asses.  If I hadn't FIRED I could have easily slid into another high level job elsewhere for even more money because my resume said I was an executive.  I would have made the move from a position of strength.

Good luck.         

JJ-

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #19 on: July 26, 2021, 12:05:56 PM »
so you have got to just trust me.  . 

We are just random people on the internet. You've taken the advice here and made a choice for yourself. Good on you.

gooki

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #20 on: July 27, 2021, 04:49:37 AM »
Quote
In the application I asked for 225% of my current salary.  They were paying my boss 200% and she was a bit underpaid when compared to peers. We’ll see what I can manage.  I don’t enjoy negotiation.

Good shit. Always start high.

PMG

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #21 on: August 09, 2021, 02:02:26 PM »

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« Last Edit: December 24, 2023, 06:59:18 PM by PMG »

PMG

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #22 on: August 09, 2021, 02:08:09 PM »
I don't want to risk jinxing anything by admitting that I've run savings calculators projecting how quickly our investments will grow at multiple salary levels, or that I might have put some thought into how to adjust our grocery shopping to accommodate more time in the office and on the road for the next year, so if I did either of those things, I wouldn't mention it.

Omy

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #23 on: August 09, 2021, 02:12:43 PM »
Thanks for the updates...we're rooting for you!

lhamo

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #24 on: August 09, 2021, 06:41:34 PM »
Whatever you do don't let them con you into doing the management job for your current pay.  I did that - actually it was even worse, because I was still doing my original job PLUS the management job on top of it.  The management job my former boss was leaving because it was too much work.  I was told I'd be compensated with bonuses, which ended up being very small in comparison to the work I did.

It worked out in the end -- the burnout I suffered pushed me to FIRE.  But in hindsight I should have told them to take their fake promotion and shove it....

PMG

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #25 on: September 08, 2021, 03:15:28 PM »
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« Last Edit: December 24, 2023, 06:59:32 PM by PMG »

Paul der Krake

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Re: How do I turn down a job opportunity? What words to use?
« Reply #26 on: September 08, 2021, 03:51:43 PM »
Yoohoo!

Well done. Enjoy your time at the beach at the increased rate.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!