-advice please-

Anonymous

February 24,2023 at 3:52AM UTC

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-advice please-

i”m negotiating a job offer that I’m excited about. However I also received the devastating news that my new boss would be….the big boss from my former company, and one reason I left the former company! This boss created and nurtured a culture of nepotism, incivility, fault-finding and suspicion and she has lasted only a little over a year in her role. Not surprised to hear she’d been let go.

I won’t join the company if I must report in to her. How do I respectfully inform the exec (with whom I interviewed) as to why? FWIW I have zero doubt that this new potential boss would not hesistate to make derogatory remarks about me but I don’t want to do this same.

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Stephanie H. WicalFebruary 24,2023 at 4:16AM UTC
Decline the position. You can simply state you are looking for growth opportunities and diversity that the supervisor of the position is unlikely to provide. If they want to know specifics, they can ask. You can read the room and decide what to disclose.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 24,2023 at 6:14AM UTC
Just say it's not the right fit for you at this time. If your former boss burns through this company like she did the previous one, you're leaving the door open without being specific or talking bad about anyone.
AnonymousFebruary 24,2023 at 2:41PM UTC
I would decline with a subtle suggestion that you've worked with this particular person before and are looking for opportunities that will foster growth, good mentorship and transparency (basically using words that this "boss" doesn't foster). They'll get it.
Claire McCabeFebruary 24,2023 at 3:18PM UTC
RUN!!!!!!
Debra SesholtzFebruary 24,2023 at 9:23PM UTC
Without being derogatory, tell them that after giving it a lot of thought, you have decided to decline their offer. When they ask for a reason, say something to the effect that based on the reporting structure for the position, you don’t feel it will offer you an environment for the growth opportunities you are seeking. Leave it at that. If they press for more simply say your past experience with this manager supports your decision. I won’t say more than that.
Stacy WigginsFebruary 26,2023 at 1:27PM UTC
I agree with Debra. I would stay professional about the decision to decline their offer.
AnonymousFebruary 26,2023 at 1:47PM UTC
If you want to be more blunt. You can say that based on new information you have learned about reporting structure (not a subtle hint they should get it), you very much regret to have to decline the role. Let them know you’d be interested in positions in other departments or in future should the reporting structure change.
AnonymousFebruary 26,2023 at 2:22PM UTC
100% agree with this approach. A candidate should avoid being perceived as attempting to change the prospective employer’s decision, but rather the candidate can make their point by changing their own decision on accepting the offer. The above advice is spot on in my opinion! The prospective employer will most likely hear the candidate loud and clear, and I’d suspect the employer would make a change with the problematic incoming senior employee.
AnonymousFebruary 26,2023 at 3:00PM UTC
Respectfully and regretfully decline based on the reporting structure. Let them know if there are other roles in other areas that’s you’d love to be considered for those.
I wouldn’t even say anything about change if reporting structure changes…they already know that - and it could be perceived that you are confrontational (me vs them - is this how they handle all situations?)