I declined to move forward in the interview process after a few meetings and sent an email thanking the team but explained the reason for my decision.

14 Comments

1. JenniferNovember 11,2022 at 10:27PM UTC

   What was the reason you gave for not moving forward? Is it something that the company has the capability to change/address in a way that you would find acceptable to move forward? Is there any chance you may have gotten the wrong impression about something during the interview process that drove your decision to withdraw your candidacy?

   I suspect that the company would like to meet to propose a solution that would work for you. They clearly are very interested in you, and I would take it as a compliment. There is also a chance that they just want to "convince" you without addressing your actual reason for declining to move forward.

   Have you asked what the goal of the meeting would be, and who would be attending? I get the sense that you are frustrated that they even reached out, as opposed to just leaving you alone. Did something negative happen during the process that made you decide that this is a company you want nothing to do with?

   For me personally, if the reason I withdrew my candidacy was due to something about the role itself (responsibilities, hours, pay, etc), but I was open to the company overall, I'd take the meeting and hear out their proposal. On the other hand, if I'd already ruled out ever wanting to work for that company, I'd politely decline. Either way, I'd ask for the goal of the meeting and who I'd be meeting with.

   Good luck.

2. AnonymousNovember 11,2022 at 10:45PM UTC

   Thank you, Jennifer. I was excited about the company but after learning more about the role, I'm not interested in moving forward.

   I explained clearly that the role wasn't the right fit and what I was looking for instead. While as you mentioned, I'm flattered that they might be interested, I know it's not what I want.

   That's why I'm a bit frustrated as it was difficult to withdraw my candidacy and now I feel unable to completely cut the cord until mid next week. I have other interviews that I'm preparing for and I wasn't expecting to still be vested in this option and don't know what they want to discuss. I asked for more details and was told they want to have a meeting rather than exchanging emails.

   While I'm willing to hear them out, I would rather focus on securing a new job. I made the decision and mentally closed that chapter. I've already spent months interviewing for the position that I know isn't the right fit so I feel this is prolonging the process. I appreciated your advice!

3. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 4:12PM UTC

   Holy wow! Months interviewing?! That’s a big investment of time for you and them. It sounds like you gave them a view of the type of work you’re looking for and they are responding by attempting to give you some of that. However your comment that you’ve “moved on” in your desire for the role speaks of something other than the job description that made you decline it. If you’re truly following your gut and you’re sure you will never need to reapply, politely and firmly decline the meeting.

4. MarciaNovember 13,2022 at 4:17PM UTC

   Maybe they have something else available that more closely meets what you explained as a better fit for you?

   I would have the meeting….you will always wonder “what if…” if you don’t

5. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 4:27PM UTC

   You are under no obligation to meet with the company's representatives. If they are not accepting your decision to withdraw your candidacy and they insist on meeting with you after you explained your decision, perhaps they might acquiesce to a polite but firm reply. You might state that you are highly flattered by their interest [here I am repeating Jennifer's suggestion], and you greatly appreciate the time they dedicated to meeting and communicating with you over the past few months. [Hint, hint. You did not enter into your decision rashly.] You might emphasize that you are resolute in your decision. You might add that you need to dedicate your time to continuing to actively pursue opportunities that align well with your career goals. End your message with a "Thank you again for your time and assistance.". And, you might wish them success in their endeavors. If they do not yield, and you are not completely resolute in your decision, go ahead with the meeting.

6. AnonymousNovember 12,2022 at 12:54AM UTC

   It all depends on the reason given.

7. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 1:15PM UTC

   They likely want to try to sell you on the role. This has happened to me twice. I declined, they asked to meet again. I ultimately accepted but then realized I should have gone with my first thought. Perhaps first ask HR to clarify the purpose of the meeting. And if they want to continue discussions about your fit for this role, if you’re not open to reconsidering, then politely decline this meeting.

8. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 1:28PM UTC

   How much of a time commitment would it be to meet them?

   if they are requesting to meet you in person, there may be details they was to share with you that may impact your decision. If it’s not too much of a commitment, you never know where that relationship could weave you in the future. I would always encourage a conversation over declining one. There may be a time you need to call on that relationship in the future. If it ends up being what you may expect (another attempt to talk you into the job), listen, leave the meeting without declining and then decline the next busienss day. (If they put a lot of energy and thought into the meeting, it’s best to not decline on the spot and appear to give it more consideration.

9. AnonymousNovember 13,2022 at 5:50PM UTC

   ASK. Ask the HR person who contacted you what they'd like to accomplish with this meeting. Then you can decide if you want to give them the time. Sometimes the job market can be a small pool, and if you can provide some goodwill that might come back around to you in the future it might be worth it.

10. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanNovember 14,2022 at 1:44PM UTC

    I agree with this. Unless your job is to help restructure companies, and thus they would be asking you to, oh, work, finding out why they would like to talk to you might give them some insight into what is not working and may plant some seeds for you.

    Of course, if the answer is that they can't take no for an answer, feel free to walk away without any bad feelings.

11. AnonymousNovember 14,2022 at 10:03AM UTC

    This happened to me. I let them know that I was not moving on. I thanked them and said the position was not what I was looking for. They sent several emails and wanted me to come in. But like you I mentally let it go, I knew I wouldn’t be happy there etc. I thanked them again for the opportunity to interview but it was not the right position. If you don’t want to go in and you know you don’t want the job. DON,T GO IN. Email them say thank you but no you made your decision. I felt them pushing turned me more off on the company.

12. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 14,2022 at 7:58PM UTC

    YOU SAID:

    "I don't understand why this is necessary."

    It's not necessary. If you're not interested in the position/company, you're not interested. You're under no obligation to give them any more of your time - especially if they want you to meet in person.

    If you feel like they're bugging you, just ignore any further emails or block them.

13. Kimberly GrahamNovember 14,2022 at 8:19PM UTC

    Could it be that some of the reasons you provided for not wanting to move forward are being addressed? e.g., you didn't click with the hiring manager and perhaps they are leaving, the pay wasn't in line with what you are looking for but they will negotiate, etc. Most importantly, and this has happened to me, is that perhaps they have another position for you in mind! It could be something really positive.

14. Farah BajwaNovember 14,2022 at 10:01PM UTC

    Maybe in today's rush and mayhem they missed your memo?? The ball is in your court but do keep in mind if you choose not to respond, it may burn the bridge. If you do respond, you can ask them to recall that you've sent so and so on such and such date explaining why you no longer wished to pursue the position and can always for additional details on what the in person meeting request is about.