Being offered and accepting a job is one of the greatest feelings one can have during the job search.
But what if you change your mind and no longer want the job you accepted? How do you turn down a job offer after accepting it? Can you accept a job offer and then back out? Will rejecting a job offer after accepting it burn professional bridges?
In this article, you’ll discover:
Can you reject a job offer after signing an offer letter?
Is it bad to rescind an accepted job offer?
Reasons to decline an offer after accepting it.
How do you decline a job offer without burning bridges?
A sample phone script and letter on how to turn down a job offer after accepting it.
Declining a job offer you have already accepted can bring about feelings of anxiety and uncertainty but when handled correctly does not have to burn bridges.
Can I reject the offer after signing the offer letter?
If you are in an at-will employment state, you can accept a job offer and then back out. At-will means that the employer can release you at any time if it is not for illegal reasons such as discrimination.
The same is true for the employee. An employee can quit whenever they like without notice–but just because you can doesn't mean you should. Whenever possible and appropriate, give notice when leaving an organization.
So, yes, you can reject the offer after signing the offer letter with at-will employment.
There are exceptions to at-will employment that may have consequences if you decline a job offer after accepting it such as contract employment.
If you have a contract (signed or oral), this is a different set of circumstances, and chances are you are legally obligated to honor the terms of the contract. This would include:
If the terms of the contract state that you must provide service for a specified time (i.e., one year).
If the contract states that you must provide notice before leaving (i.e., render a two week notice).
If the contract has a noncompete clause and you promise not to work for the employer’s competition for a specified period. This may not be an issue as you have not actually started for the organization.
Not honoring the contract can land you in court. With that said, contact the company representative that offered you the position. Be honest and explain the situation. The truth is they may not be happy, but chances are they may not want to sue you.
Is it bad to rescind an accepted job offer?
While not ideal for the hiring company, it can work in their favor. It may be better if you rescind an accepted job offer as opposed to starting work and then quitting soon after.
It will cost the organization more money and time to restart the search process all over again for a new candidate after they’ve hired you and notified the other applicants.
No matter how badly you may feel about accepting a job offer and then backing out, it will allow the hiring organization to pick up where they left off with some of the candidates that made it to the final round of interviews.
Reasons to decline an offer after accepting
There could be a multitude of reasons for a person to decline an offer after accepting it.
Your dream job finally came through with a better title and pay.
Your current employer has made a counteroffer.
A life event has taken place, and you need to pause.
You were already on the fence, and after further research you decide this is not the place for you.
No matter the reason, if you decide that you are not going to accept the job offer, it should be done in a way that is professional and does not negatively impact your professional career.
How do I decline a job offer without burning bridges?
We would all like to be recognized for our integrity and identified as a person who is known for keeping their word - you say what you mean and mean what you say. So going back on your word is never an easy thing to do. However, in life things are never black and white, and there will be times when you will need to pivot and change your mind no matter how difficult the circumstances.
Regardless of the reason to rescind your acceptance of the job offer, you want to make sure you do not burn any bridges along the way. What many fail to realize is that word can spread quickly like wildfire on just how unprofessionally a candidate handled themselves during the process. Always act professionally, even when making hard decisions.
So, the question becomes do you call or write to notify the hiring organization of your decision to rescind your acceptance? Both are acceptable, and there are pros to both.
While it may be hard, calling can be the better idea. According to the Harvard Business Review article “How to Manage a Job Offer When You’re Still Interviewing Elsewhere,” it states, “If you want to accept an offer from another company after you’ve already accepted one elsewhere, it’s best to call the recruiter from the company you planned to join as soon as possible and inform them you changed your mind.”
That said, writing a letter is also completely acceptable. When writing a letter, be sure to address the person who extended the job offer to you. The great thing about writing a letter is that it will serve as an official record of how you handled the situation professionally.
Expert Tip
Make sure you are committed to rescinding your offer to accept the position and are not wavering back and forth. Don’t try to leverage rescinding your acceptance to get more money. Immediately inform the hiring organization of your decision. Choose whether you will call or send a letter. Contact and address the person who extended the offer to you. Never ghost the organization that offered you the position, as this will certainly burn all bridges with the organization and those associated with it. It can also hurt you professionally in the future. |
Sample phone call script and letter
Turning down a job offer after accepting it can be a tightrope to walk. There is a thin line between being professional when turning down a job offer after accepting it and taking a flamethrower to your career.
Whether you choose to decline your job offer via phone or letter, it is best to be honest and succinct.
Example Hello Mr./Ms. [Contact Name]. Thank you for taking my call.
First, I would like to thank you for your time and offer to join the [department name] team at [company name]. As much as I was looking forward to joining your team, after careful reconsideration, I must respectfully withdraw my acceptance for the role of [position title] with [company name].
(Note: Give a brief reason if possible, like the one below.)
My intentions were sincere, and I did not take my decision lightly, however, I was offered a position with another organization with a similar role but with additional responsibilities and an increase in starting salary.
I hope that we can stay connected, as I am following you and the company on LinkedIn. Thanks again, and I wish you and [company name] much success. |
Example [Contact Name] [Contact’s Position Title] [Company Name]
Dear [Contact Name],
I want to thank you for your time and offer to join the [department name] team at [company name]. I regret to inform you that after further consideration, I will have to withdraw my acceptance for the role of [position title] with the company.
(Note: Give a brief reason if possible, like the one below.)
My intentions were sincere, and I did not take my decision lightly, however, I was offered a position with another organization with a similar role but with additional responsibilities and an increase in starting salary.
Thank you again for your time and offer. I wish you and [company name] all the best.
Sincerely, [Your First and Last Name] |
Key Takeaways
Declining a job offer you have already accepted can bring about feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, but when handled correctly will not burn bridges.
You can decline a job offer after accepting it with at-will employment. There are exceptions, and you may want to consult an attorney if you are unsure.
While it may not be ideal for the hiring organization, it may work out for the best for them if you rescind your acceptance before you start work. This will prevent the hiring organization from needing to restart its search from scratch.
No matter if you choose to rescind your job offer via phone or letter, it is best to be honest and succinct.
