It disrupts workflow
Taking phone calls eats valuable time. Just imagine the hiring manager doing some critical work only to be interrupted by your phone call saying you’re rejecting their job offer.
An email between 3-4 paragraphs is enough. You don’t want to write a novel like a piece full of flowery words. Remember, you’re not writing to impress (you’re already done with that part). You are writing to deliver a decision. Making it straight to the point will save you and the hiring manager time, energy, and effort.
Make sure to say something nice
Show your thanks and appreciation. After all, the recruiter spent some time reading your resume and interviewing you. You can say something like:
Thank you for sending me the offer of employment. The fact that you consider me an adequate candidate for the role means so much to me.
Be honest with your reason
As much as I like to grab this opportunity, I’m afraid the salary does not align with my needs and expectation at this time.
Never forget to include the ‘opportunity caveat statement’
You’ll never know if your paths will ever cross again. But if you did, you want to be in good terms with them. You want to remain open to opportunities. You can say something like:
It was a pleasure meeting you and learning about your company. I wish you continued success and hope we will have the opportunity to work together in the future.
And you’re done! Rejecting an offer or saying no to a job doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. As long as you stay professional and honest, then you’re good to go.
Just be honest
If you’ve decided to turn down a job offer due to salary, the best way to break the news is by being honest. Simply say something like:
I’m incredibly flattered by your offer, and I’ve been very impressed by your company. However, another position has offered me a higher salary, so, unfortunately, I’ve decided to go in a different direction.
Being honest gives the company an understanding of why you’re declining their offer without offending them. It allows you not to burn any bridges in case you should want to work for the company at some point in the future.
Also, if the company realizes that money is the reason you are not jumping on board, they might come back with a counteroffer that you can’t refuse.
List out pros and cons and let them know
I recently had a friend who was exploring leaving her current job for a job that offered a better work environment and life balance. That being said, when push came to shove, the salary was not at the correct level for this person’s experience and expertise.
However, instead of shutting the door, they asked if they could at least match their current salary, and they used points to explain why such as commute time, toll tags, and more gas.
Unfortunately, the offering company simply could not swing the salary match, so my friend was forced to let them know she could not take the job. Naturally, the recruiter involved tried to spin it.
In the end, my friend let them know she would not be accepting their offer using a pros and cons list she had generated.
Listing out a few of the pros and cons lets her know she made the correct choice, but it also lets the offering company know areas they can improve on. It also leaves my friend in good standing in the future!
Declining a job offer because of the low salary is a little bit tricky task as you have to be assertive and polite at the same time. However, by taking care of these three factors, you can write a short, simple, professional, and compelling letter/email to decline a job offer.
The company would also cover all of the relocation expenses for my 350-mile move. Since I was faceflow support single, didn’t own a home, and had generally lived in a rental of some sort, my relocation expenses would be fairly modest. Still, I felt that they’d made a reasonable compromise, so I accepted the revised offer.
Unlike emails, you have the luxury of time to organize your thoughts, choose your words, and review your letter before hitting the send button.