How to Write an Email Declining a Job Offer

After a long job search, it can be difficult to make a decision.

Do I accept the job or decline it?

In this post, we will teach you how to write an email declining a job offer, so you can communicate with confidence and maintain positive relationships with prospective employers.

Email Template for Declining a Job Offer

Why Do People Reject Job Offers?

There may be many reasons to reject a job offer.

It might not be the right fit.

The salary or benefits might not be up to par.

There might be location or family considerations.

You might have another opportunity with another company, or with your current company.

In any case, writing a clear and tactful job rejection letter will allow you to maintain a positive relationship, while potentially keeping a door open for the future.

What to Do Before You Reject a Job Offer via Email

Before you reject a job offer, make sure that is what you actually want to do.

Think about your reasons for not accepting the offer, and gather any data that might help you make a decision.

• Are rejecting a job offer due to salary? If so, evaluate the total compensation package and your finances to determine what you actually need.
• Were there questions that you still need to answer from your interview process? Perhaps it makes sense to reach out and get further clarification.
• Does the new role offer flexible working or a better work-life balance?
• Think about how your current or potential roles fit into your lifestyle.

You can proceed with the email after carefully evaluating your reasons for accepting or declining the job.

What to Include in An Email Declining a Job Offer?

An email declining a job offer should be written in a polite and professional manner.

Thank the hiring manager and the interview team for taking the time to interview you. By showing gratitude, you demonstrate respect for their time.

It’s also critical to provide reasoning for not accepting the job, without going into too many details.

Provide specific examples of any good experiences or feedback you received during the process. Tell the hiring manager how positive your experience learning about the company and meeting the team was.

Close with appreciation to end on a positive note and maintain a good relationship.

Here are some specific examples of what to include in the email declining a job offer.

Write a clear subject line.

Example Subject line: Job offer for [position title]– [Your name]

Write a clear salutation.

Dear Mr./Ms., Mrs., Dr., [insert the last name of hiring manager],

Show appreciation for the job offer. Here are some examples of what you might say:

Thank you very much for offering me the [position] at [company name].

I appreciate you offering me the [position] at [company name].

Thank you for considering me for the [position] at [company name].

Provide a reason without going into too much detail.

I have accepted a position with another organization, although it was a very difficult decision.

It was a great pleasure to get to know you and learn more about [company], but this is not the right role for me at this time.

As much as I enjoyed getting to know you and learning more about [company], I believe that staying in my current role is the best option for me at this time.

Related Post: How to Write an Email for Accepting a Job Offer!

Offer positive feedback about the process. For example:

Thanks for taking the time to interview me during this process. I greatly enjoyed our conversation and appreciate your time. As a whole, [company] seems like an excellent organization with a compelling vision.

It was a pleasure speaking with you and the team at [company]. I appreciate your time and the opportunity to learn more about [company]. I particularly enjoyed our conversations about [provide specific examples].

Say “Thank You” again and close.

Thank you once again for your time and consideration. It was truly a pleasure getting to know you and the team at [company].

To recap – here’s what you should include in an email declining a job offer:

• Show appreciation for the job offer.
• Provide reasons without too much detail.
• Offer positive feedback about the process.
• Show gratitude again and close.

With these tips, you can feel more confident in your decision and communication when declining a job offer via email.

Thanks for reading and good luck!