How to Properly Decline a Manufacturing Job Offer
Posted October 20th, 2015
There is a right way and a wrong way to decline a manufacturing job offer. Do it the right way and the company may be willing to consider you for a future offer. Do it the wrong way and you damage your standing in the manufacturing community. Read on to learn how to handle this tricky situation like a true professional.
- Act Fast – You have been extended a job offer because the company clearly has a role to fill. Don’t leave them hanging any longer than necessary. As soon as you make up your mind to decline the offer, let them know so they can begin considering other candidates.
- Express Thanks – Even if you don’t think that this job/company is the right fit for you, express your thanks for being considered and getting an offer. A lot of time and money was spent to recruit you, and it’s an honor to know that you were picked over everyone else in the candidate pool.
- Place a Call – It is tempting to use an email, instant message, or even a text message to avoid what may be an awkward conversation. But hiding behind these impersonal forms of communication makes you look unprofessional and can prove insulting to the hiring manager you worked with. The best policy is to decline the job offer over the phone.
- Accentuate the Positives – If you made it to the end of the hiring process, there was clearly something that appealed to you about the job/company. Let the hiring manager know what it was. Confirming that your interest in the position was real shows the company that you were not leading them on or using them for leverage.
- Explain Your Reasons – You are declining this job offer for a reason. Be honest yet professional about what that reason is and don’t try to sugarcoat things. This honest feedback helps the company to make meaningful improvements to its recruiting process.
- Focus on the Future – Emphasize that even though you are declining this offer, you may be open to another offer in the future. There is no reason to burn the bridge.
- Make a Recommendation – Maybe you know someone who would be perfect for the position. You can take the sting out of your own rejection by making it easy for the company to recruit someone else.
If you are in a position to turn down job offers, you are clearly an impressive professional. Work with the team at Bayside Solutions, and find ways to leverage your credentials to enhance your career even further.
