How do I address this?

43 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 4,2021 at 2:06PM UTC

   Just pull out of the process and allow someone who would love the job to take your place.

2. AnonymousNovember 4,2021 at 2:31PM UTC

   Reach out to the person you've been speaking to and tell them you would no longer like to move forward with the opportunity. No big deal. When they ask why, tell them whatever you want, just don't burn the bridge... 6 degrees of separation is very real.

3. Monica Lynn SadlerNovember 4,2021 at 3:10PM UTC

   Kudos to you for knowing what you do and do not want! That said, a simple call to the hiring manager expressing exactly what you said. Simply explain that you don't feel that this is the right position for you at this time. Be humble and express gratitude. Smile while you're speaking to keep your voice sounding upbeat. And remember, the right job will come at the right time. Praying for you!

4. Barb HansenNovember 4,2021 at 3:45PM UTC

   "Although I appreciate the opportunity to interview with you and Company X, I'm going to remove myself from consideration for this position."

5. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 11:16AM UTC

   Perfect phrasing!

6. Kirsten BunchNovember 4,2021 at 4:36PM UTC

   Simply tell them. It happens. You don't need to explain yourself.

7. Barbara WhiteNovember 5,2021 at 12:18PM UTC

   I would first express your appreciation for being considered for the position, and then say something to the effect of after careful consideration, you believe that it is in both of your best interests for you to pursue different opportunities. The employer would much rather you pull out of the process now while they still have other interested candidates than to hire you and then you quit in a few months because it's not a good fit. It happens sometimes.

8. Tiana MumfordNovember 5,2021 at 12:21PM UTC

   The great thing is that you took time to ponder over it and weigh your options . First, you know yourself more than anyone . Second , you insult professionally email or call whichever you prefer and let the hiring manager after careful thought and consideration you decided to stay in your current position. It happens all the time and don’t feel bad about it . He/She May or may not respond I just did that 2 months ago and guess what I did not get a response . I am ok with it ! Blessings

9. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 12:29PM UTC

   I had to do this recently. I thanked them for their time, expressed that I could see that they were a thriving business that added benefit to the community but that after much thought and consideration, I was withdrawing my application. I wished them the best in future endeavors. It’s just like turning down an applicant but in the other direction. A little compliment can go a long way when you have to give difficult news to someone. Good luck!

10. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachNovember 5,2021 at 12:30PM UTC

    "Thank you so much for your consideration. Upon reflection, I've decided this is not a fit for what I am seeking. I wish you luck in your search."

    They will appreciate your not wasting their time if you are not interested.

11. Dawn S. CrossNovember 5,2021 at 12:30PM UTC

    I think one thing we often forget not only as a potential employee but more importantly, as a woman is that we are under no obligation to say yes. It is perfectly acceptable to say no.

    If you are certain you don’t want the position, be upfront about it. It can be as simple as “thank you, but after thinking about this, I’m no longer interested” or as detailed as “after thinking about everything your company has, I don’t feel this will be a good fit for both you as an employer or me as an employee.”

    Remember, not only are you being interviewed by them, you are also interviewing them as well.

    Good luck!

12. Cyndy TrivellaNovember 5,2021 at 12:32PM UTC

    Take the first step. Graciously and professionally, decline to move forward with the interview process.

    I had the same situation happen to me some years back. I had a phone screen with the recruiting assistant, a phone interview with the recruiter, then a F2F with the hiring manager. Upon meeting the hiring manager and listening to her describe the role and witnessing her management style, I knew immediately that this role was not for me and that her abrupt demeanor was not something I could work with. I took the initiative to contact the recruiter and told her that after a lot of contemplation and conversations with my husband, I've made the decision to remove myself from the process and I won't be moving on to the next steps. I then sent the hiring manager an email thanking her for her time and consideration and basically told her what I told the recruiter. I didn't get into any details.

    Your situation to decline might be for different reasons and that's your business and not theirs. You don't need to get into the weeds with them if you don't want to.

    Good luck and good for you recognizing that this opportunity is not the right one for you.

13. Maggie StoneNovember 5,2021 at 12:32PM UTC

    I would tell them exactly what you told us. Tell them that you appreciate the opportunity, but after a lot of consideration, you have decided that it’s not the right fit for you. It is better to tell them sooner rather than later. I imagine they will be gracious because they are still in the interview/ hiring process.

14. Nancy AntonNovember 5,2021 at 12:39PM UTC

    Just email the hiring manager. Thank them for their time and tell them you don’t think this is the right opportunity for you. It’s simple. Respectful and timely. Just what you’d want from them if they decided you weren’t right

15. Amanda GlazerNovember 5,2021 at 12:41PM UTC

    Take this from a 20+ year recruiting professional. Tell them sooner, rather than later. They won’t be offended, and if they are, you will know you definitely made the right decision. I train all of my team to go for the pre-close. They will appreciate the news up front vs. getting to the offer stage and you walking away. I would immediately be asking my recruiter “what did we miss?”
    It’s a small world and I promise you will leave a better mark than getting to the end. Some recruiter’s performance is based on acceptances and declines.

16. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 12:43PM UTC

    Be honest. It's okay to walk away.

17. Belinda TagoeNovember 5,2021 at 12:47PM UTC

    If you’ve changed your mind about the job, then don’t take it. It’d be much better to quit the interview process now than to potentially get hired and then quit within a few weeks.

18. GirlBossanova934974November 5,2021 at 12:48PM UTC

    No big deal. Email the hiring manager. Upon further consideration, I have decided this is not for me. I have done this a few times in the last several years. One outfit who wanted me to come back for a 2nd interview. I was sure after 30 minutes that the company was doing things that were very irresponsible and far too risky for my like. I had seen such companies implode just a few years prior to that. So I emailed the company the same day. Not for me.

19. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 12:55PM UTC

    they haven't officially invited you for the third interview yet....so no harm done. don't put the cart before the horse. And, if you truly feel this isn't the job for you...then email them NOW, and thank them for the opportunity to interview...and let THEM move on.

20. Rose FaraoneNovember 5,2021 at 1:09PM UTC

    Just be honest - Thank them for the consideration and let them know it is not the opportunity for you. And the sooner you let them know - they can consider other candidates they have in wings.

21. Samaa F. AmeyNovember 5,2021 at 1:28PM UTC

    Just be honest - respectfully decline the offer by thanking them for their time and consideration and be like “this doesn’t seem a good fit for me”.
    Also, the sooner the better

22. SueNovember 5,2021 at 2:07PM UTC

    I agree - no need for many details, short and sweet and direct to the point. Do not burn the bridge but do not waste any more time if this is not the way you will proceed.

23. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 1:50PM UTC

    Dear HR Person,
    I would like to thank you for considering me for the Title position at ABC Company. It was nice to meet with you and Manager. After careful consideration, I have decided to pursue opportunity which is a better fit. Best wishes to ABC and to the person ultimately chosen for the position.
    Sincerely,
    Potential Candidate

24. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 1:53PM UTC

    Exactly like that ... "Thank you for the opportunity but at this time, I have decided to go in another direction." Sound familiar? It should since this is the standard rejection line that most hiring companies/manager/recruiters will send to you as a candidate if they are passing on your talent.

25. Ashli JNovember 5,2021 at 1:57PM UTC

    Honesty is best. Thank them for their time and consideration. This is the best time for you to move on since nothing has even been finalized and there are no hard feelings. Stay true to your heart and do what’s best for you.

26. Shaimaa MakhloufNovember 5,2021 at 1:59PM UTC

    just tell them that there are some new factors made you change your mind or reconsider the position & you so not want to waste tyeir time draging it while you know that you’ll not fit there. People always appreciate & respect honesty even if not in their benefit

27. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 1:59PM UTC

    Just email the hiring manager or even call them. Explain that, after consideration, you've decided to go in a different direction. Be polite about it and don't burn bridges, but I would much rather a top candidate say that before an interview or before a job offer than once we've extended a job offer.

28. Melinda ThompsonNovember 5,2021 at 2:39PM UTC

    I've been in this situation a couple times before, and I have always found jobs that suited me better--you will too! The person/people at the companies I turned down before an offer was extended were always gracious. I agree with others who have advised emailing the hiring or phoning the hiring manager to let them know that you enjoyed talking with them and appreciate their time, and upon consideration, have decided to go in a different direction.

29. Nancy WoodNovember 5,2021 at 3:05PM UTC

    Reuse that rejection line they send to us. About going in another direction.

30. Stephanie PaerNovember 5,2021 at 3:06PM UTC

    I did this right after I got fired. I had 2 positions and one I was soooo excited for but ultimately decided I needed a break so I emailed them and told them that I would want to withdraw the applications. They don’t really ask why but if you want to give a reason. You can just email something polite or even say you decided to stay with your company after evaluation.

31. Kathy SternerNovember 5,2021 at 3:12PM UTC

    As a long-time recruiter for a large organization, let me assure you the recruiter and the hiring manager will appreciate your thoughtfulness of letting them know rather than waiting until they issue an offer. Be as honest as possible without offending them. For instance, "I've taken time to consider everything about the opportunity and will not be a good fit for me, but thank you for the time and consideration you provided me."

32. Jennifer SlomaNovember 5,2021 at 3:30PM UTC

    Just tell the truth just as you wrote above in an email. They will understand and appreciate your honesty.

33. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 4:30PM UTC

    I've experienced this myself, years ago. An accounting firm really wined & dined me, so to speak, in order to get me hired into their firm. First interview was over lunch, with the female head of HR - they paid for my lunch. 2nd interview was with the heads of the firm (all male), followed by a 1 on 1 interview with the VP of the firm (male), during which he asked some fairly inappropriate questions (where did I live, who did I live with, was I committed to my marriage, etc). 3rd and final interview was over lunch with the female head of HR again, which they again paid for. I was still mulling over how uncomfortable the VP made me during the 1 on 1 interview. This job would be a major career move for me, was a huge upgrade from my current job, with a huge salary increase, better benefits, etc - but the experience I had with the VP was just too much.
    The job was offered to me after that 3rd interview, and I informed them I was grateful for the opportunity, but that I needed to decline - I said their VP made me very uncomfortable - and I explained exactly why. The head of HR stammered & apologized & said she had no idea he was doing that - and said they'd had a hard time hiring & keeping people - and now she knew why, and would be addressing it. She asked if I'd be interested in hiring in if he were gone - I said no - I couldn't be sure there weren't more like him in the firm, since it had been overlooked up to that point, and had apparently been going on for some time.

    Long story short: follow your intuition. If you know you won't be happy, or something just feels "off" about it, then go with that feeling.

34. Joycelyn M. SiameNovember 5,2021 at 4:39PM UTC

    Just tell them. Say thank you so very much for this opportunity to interview for your company. I sadly will have to decline moving further with the interview process. Thank you so much for your time and I wish you much luck in finding the best fit for the position. Signed, sealed, delivered.

    Don't be afraid to speak up and do what's right for you. every decision you make should be in your own best interest.

    I wish you much luck with your job search!

35. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 5,2021 at 4:48PM UTC

    Thank you very much for your time in the interview process. After much thought, I have decided this is not the right opportunity for me at this time and will not be moving forward.

    Best -
    Anonymous

    Trust me, they'd rather find out now than after they make you an offer.

36. Rosa GoesNovember 5,2021 at 7:49PM UTC

    Tell them you had time to re-think and have decided to explore other opportunities at this time. Thank them and be done with it. Good luck to you!

37. AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 8:03PM UTC

    I had taken a vacation day to prepare for an interview. I was headhunted and had to be sold to even do the interview. When it came time for the virtual interview, ( due to Covid and shutdowns), the person from Hr interviewing me did not turn up. She had sentme the meeting invite directly so I know she knew how to communicate with me or cancel the meeting. I checked all my technology was fine and then called the recruiter. Apparently they had to rush cancel. But failed to notify me at all. Just the recruiter. But again, they had sent me the invite! All they had to do was reply to cancel. The excuse was the Company owner needed a last second meeting. I had read on glass door some reviews that the owner was extra demanding and there was little work life balance and it seemed like a revolving door. I called the recruiter and said no way was I going to interview there now as my time and expense was not important to them now, so it was a huge red flag, on top of the poor reviews, and to remove me from consideration. I am glad I did that. My next opportunity was with a terrific employee centric company and I have never been happier.

38. Shelby CNovember 5,2021 at 8:25PM UTC

    It is quite simple. You send them an email withdrawing and thanking them for their time ASAP. I would much rather get a letter of withdrawal than an unhappy employee.

39. Peg BittnerNovember 5,2021 at 9:15PM UTC

    Before the appointed time to meet I would contact the person(s) who interview me and make the withdrawal in person. It is more professional that way. Telling them in person the honest reason shows class and professionalism and that you are being upfront with them. It could leave a gooc impression on an already good interview that can help you later for a position that is more to your fit.

40. AnonymousNovember 6,2021 at 12:13AM UTC

    Just let them know you've had a change of plans and thank them for their consideration. You're very fortunate to have a clear view of what won't work for you abd to be in a position to turn it down.

41. Anantha PadmanabhanNovember 6,2021 at 12:27AM UTC

    Unless the hiring manager initiated the conversation where they asked for your availability next week, I would ask you not to "count your chickens before they are hatched".

42. Lynda BoothNovember 6,2021 at 2:53AM UTC

    It is professional to email your contact for the job. Thank them for their time and let them know you no longer wish to be considered for the job. Wish them luck in finding the right candidate.

43. Liz MilneNovember 14,2021 at 3:13AM UTC

    If you're not comfortable with a little white lie 'I've been offered another position that meets all my needs, thank you but please remove my name from consideration' - just go with, 'I'd like to withdraw from the process at this time, thank you for the opportunities to meet with you.' Polite and no details given, leaves the door open for the future :)