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How do i politely decline to continue interviewing for a role?

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How do i politely decline to continue interviewing for a role?

I conducted 5 interviews and they want me to conduct a case study however I have decided to explore other opportunities but not sure how to politely say that without burning any bridges given both sides invested a lot of time.

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  1. Angie Callen

    "Hi Recruiter,

    Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to interview and present a case to the hiring team. I've enjoyed my time getting to know everyone and learning more about the role, but I've decided to explore other opportunities at this time. I won't be completing this next step of the process and hope you find a great fit for this position!

    Thanks again,

    Name"

  2. Liz Kelly

    5 interviews??? I have been working "officially" since I was 16 (I'm 38) and I have never had 5 interviews! I want to say I believe the most I have participated in was 3. What industry do you work in?

  3. Anonymous

    I work in private equity investing. That’s the typical number unfortunately. In addition to a case and financial modeling exam

  4. Anonymous

    This is a terribly process. If a company cannot come up with a better way to vet candidates, then I would not want to to work with them. Indicative of poor management and more.

  5. Angie

    Three is a little much, but five is excessive. Just thank them for taking the time to meet with you and politely decline the next interview.

    "Thanks for taking the time to meet with me. Although this sounds like a great opportunity thus far, I am withdrawing my application (optional: to pursue other opportunities). Again thanks for giving me the opportunity to learn more about the position and ABC Company."

  6. Emily Keiper

    Yikes 5 is just crazy, I’ve been there it’s not investing time, it’s wasting time. What if you don’t get the role and you’ve gone through 5 of these? Wasted time.

    I would just say thank you for the opportunity but after 5 interviews you don’t feel this role is right for you and you’ve decided to continue on with other companies.

  7. Katie S

    This is simple. Just say, “I’ve decided to go in a different direction with my job search.”

  8. rgstaffing@bellsouth.net

    I think all these answers are perfect. I personally think 5 interviews is excessive. They should have a day of interviews bringing all the interviewers in and let the candidate meet them all. This is a prime example of how companies lose great candidates.

  9. Alia

    With interviews online, the old loop now is 4 separate meetings. It takes a lot longer. Many of the companies I'm interviewing with have this many interviews. (Hr + hiring manager + 4 loop + exec, or combine HM and exec if the same person.)

  10. Kelli Thompson

    Angie posted a great response below and as someone who’s been on the other side of the fence as the hiring manager/HR person, remember that the interview is just as much about you vetting them as it is them interviewing you. I was grateful folks dropped out if they weren’t interested as hiring the people who quit soon after is expensive. Good for you for trusting your gut and choosing yourself.

  11. Anonymous

    They do not give it a second thought to tell you to go pound sand so do not feel bad .
    Just
    politely say you are
    going another direction and thanks for
    their consideration

  12. Anonymous

    Have u never received a rejection email before?

  13. Anonymous

    A simple email withdrawing yourself from the role.

  14. Michele Darley

    I've enjoyed meeting everyone very much but at this point I need to withdraw myself from the process.

  15. Georgene Huang

    Agree with Kelli and Angie. Having worked in PE, I know what you mean about many interviews but they also take a lot of candidates to that point and don’t hire them.

    The only thing I would add is to make a note about who you met and connect with them on LinkedIn and keep in touch if you connected on a personal level with anyone in particular. The PE industry is a small one so you never know when paths may cross again.

  16. Anonymous

    Today, large national companies are moving toward case studies and behavioral interviews. I would imagine more and more companies are going to establish leadership principles to identify the folks that suit their culture best. long and short, this trend will continue.

    Have you decided not to proceed because of the exercise? Is it a real world example that seems like doing an actual client project?

    Why decline if the next company is likely to ask you to do the same?

  17. Crystal Howell

    I would contact the hiring manager, thank them for their time and let them know at this time I have decided to move in a different direction. (This is what they tell job seekers)

    I am happy to have learned so much about your organization, and thank you again for your time and consideration.

  18. Susan Robles

    Like this response the best.

  19. Anonymous

    Ha! I did that yesterday. Simply put I said for personal reasons I have withdrawn my candidacy from the role of…

    man’s thanked the hiring manager for her time and offered my cross-functional support should she need it.

  20. MJ

    Something along this line:

    Dear so and so,

    I would like to thank you for considering me for the position at XYZ. It was nice to meet with you and (names of staff you met with) and I appreciate all their time. At this time, I have decided to follow another direction and withdraw my candidacy. All the best to the candidate who is ultimately chosen, and continued success to XYZ. Thank you again for all your consideration.

    Sincerely,

    (Yourself)

  21. Jennifer Finger

    Dear Employer,

    At this time, having decided to take my career in a different direction, I am withdrawing my application for employment as Title.

    I am very grateful for your time and consideration and wish you the best of luck in finding the right person for this position.

    Best regards,

    Anonymous

  22. Anonymous

    I have done this many times. it’s ok to say thank you but i’ve changed my interest.

  23. Neeka E.

    I have written something like this before:

    Thank you very much for considering me for the position of [insert position]. After careful reflection, I have decided to withdraw my application for the job. I feel that my interests and skills would best suit a [insert field/type of position] position. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to interview me and share information on the opportunity and [insert company name].

  24. Sarah Conway

    Thank you for sharing this example response! Super helpful to reference.

  25. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | Recruiter

    Again - recruiter here - my job is to ensure my candidates are comfortable throughout a process and that means giving them the opportunity to take an "off ramp" at any point...and to be honest - I'd MUCH prefer you take the off ramp now than after you accept an offer or start. (I get paid based on you staying at your job a particular length of time).

    Plus, as a professional recruiter, I'm sourcing, interviewing and grooming more candidates to move forward so that we're not only looking at one candidate.

    With that said - was it the case study that turned you off or something else? (I'm NOT a fan of someone wanting you to do actual work for them without you getting paid - whether it's as a writer a marketer or something else - because it's just not cool)

    But a simple, "Thank you so much for your time, Peggie, I've enjoyed getting to know you and COMPANY over the past month. I've decided to move in another direction/pursue other opportunities etc."

    Less is more in this situation I think.

  26. Mandy

    The wanting you to work for free is a huge red flag. Get as far away as possible regardless of what happens with the other job

  27. Alia

    I hope you're waiting for the other offer. I'm declining some right now because I have 1 offer and could have up to 4 next week to consider. I've been telling the recruiter why I had been interested and then answering questions to help them get a sense of the market (that pay question). But I'm also a lot earlier in the process with the companies I'm declining right now. Making a decision next week will be tough.

  28. Anonymous

    Just send a note thanking them for their time but you are pursuing other opportunities. It’s fine. Just let them know. Send a thank you note to the people you met. Don’t feel this will close the door. This happens. Remember. They could be writing the same note to you. It’s part of interviewing. They will be happy they are wasting time

  29. Vidya Raja

    Just thank them for their time and say your situation has changed and hence you will not be able to continue your pursuit in a job opportunity at their company. This should ensure that you don't burn bridges and part on good terms. Who knows whether or not you may criss paths with them again?

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