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How to decline a job that I already accepted?

How do I decline a job offer that I have already accepted?

  • I am 21 years old and just graduated early from university.  This past summer, I interned and accepted a full time offer from a large professional firm (think MBB, Big 4, etc.) on the east coast.  The offer pays a lot of money for the entry level role and is a good "name brand".  From week 2 I knew the role was the wrong fit for me; it didn't feel challenging or exciting and had little to do with any of my professional interests. But I generally liked the people, there were great training programs, and interns were treated so well that I was overall happy there this summer.  My parents, the recruiter, my intern class, my boss etc. worked pretty hard to convince me to take the offer.  So I did. Fast forward a few months and I am miserable at the prospect of working there.  I've started to reach out to other jobs and have had a pretty good response rate, but haven't heard back from any of my interviews yet.  My question is: do i email my recruiter and tell her honestly that i really like the company but would like to explore other positions/locations?  should i just bite the bullet and renege? or wait until i have another job offer? I want to apply to this firm's competitors in a different city and it wouldn't be pretty if either of them found out what was going on.

  • Answer:

    Reneging on an offer you've already accepted doesn't exactly reflect high character, but the firm should understand that if you don't want to be there as much as you're expressing on Quora that it wouldn't do them any good having such an employee who's there against their will.  Just know that you'll likely never be able to work for that firm again, and, if in the future you come across any of the folks upon whom you reneged, they're liable to remember you accordingly. If working for this company genuinely has "little to do with any of [your] professional interests", just tell them that you've had a radical realization that you want to do something differently with your life. But you seem to be contradicting yourself. On the one hand you say, "From week 2 I knew the role was the wrong fit for me...had little to do with any of my professional interests", but on the other you say that "I want to apply to this firm's competitors in a different city and it wouldn't be pretty if either of them found out what was going on." If the firm you're thinking of reneging upon has nothing to do with your professional interests, why are you interested in applying to its competitor?

Andrew Lang Adams at Quora Visit the source

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Two things: 1. Better to find others who you can trust .. friends/former classmates in same industry, family even distant family who will be sympathetic and former teachers you relate to and respect etc, and confide in them... and over a period of a few weeks based on the details of your situation reach out and understand where specifically you stand... and how specifically you can move out in a smooth way without breaking ties. After that give yourself a few months to find something better or something you like and go for it. Make sure you create a reputation for yourself as a thoughtful and dedicated worker who is competent and doesn't shirk work--- so that even if you ultimately walk out without any other options in hand.... your former colleagues and bosses look forward to having you back and remember you each time they are faced with a worker who is not as good as you. Ultimately, respect and professionalism are your only fallback... and once you roll just roll on and don't look back unless you really want to... 2. Reneging on the offer is not so bad... but if you do, drop hints first like whether you can defer your joining date or whether you can complete some study or cultural activities etc before you dive full time into work. This will ensure that they plan around you... and also share their point of view on how tolerant they are with you joining later or "in next batch" (whatever that means) and even gives them a chance to sensitise you on what their stakes in you are and how much you matter or don't matter!!

Nalin Savara

I'm struck by three things. First: your youth and inexperience. Second: your thoughtfulness. Third: your passion. That said, this IS a big deal. It sounds as if you have a big career in front of you. The actions you take will generate a reputation that you'll be forced to live with for a long time. Beware. How sure are you that leaving is the better solution?How clearly can you see how you're perceived inside your current firm? (They may see the mismatch and your unhappiness)  Make sure you ask; don't assume your way into a bad decision. How successfully can you see the regrets you'll have down the road in 6 months and 6 years? Where is your mentor? How many alternative endings can you see?

Michael Settle

I always favor sticking to the truth and being thoughtful, but not all the specifics need be disclosed. Therefore, you could say something along the lines of, "Circumstances have changed since I initially accepted your offer, but I wish you the best in your future endeavors. If I become available to pursue an opportunity with your firm in the future I will be happy to contact you."

Jason Berman

Do you really know what you want? Is it that you’ve had too much fall into your lap suddenly and you are feeling overwhelmed? I’m sure there are 1000s of grads waiting to get into your shoes and it wont really be a big deal for the company to let you go. The truth is “No one is indispensable for the company”. But for you, on the other hand, considered the fact that you are in a seat envied by several people.What is so hard about the job? If you weren’t competent for it, why is your company choosing you? You seem to be okay to join a competitor, why is that so?If I were you, I wouldn’t really worry about what to say about wanting to leave, for that’s the easy part of it. I would focus on how I can capitalize on this huge opportunity I have in front of me. “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush”. Without offers from other companies, quitting a good opportunity is sheer foolhardiness.May be you find some part of your work overboard for you. See if you can get a mentor who can help with it. Despite this, if you really think you are not cut out for this work, then start looking out for other avenues (not just the competitors, but a better role that suits you in another good company). When you get something really convincing in black and white, you can talk to the HR about your intentions and exit smoothly from the company.Many a times we don’t know the worth of something when it comes to us too easily. So think, think, think and then take an informed decision.

Dhanalakshmi Girish

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