How to Decline a Job Offer Gracefully [Plus Email Examples 10+ Tips]

How to Decline a Job Offer Gracefully [Plus Email Examples 10+ Tips] Its tricky.They made a good offer, but you have to refuse.Youve got better options. (Or you learned the company is shady.)ButYou might need that job later.You must know how to turn down a job offer without burning bridges.Take heart. People do it all the time and come out clean as whistles.This guide will show you:How to turn down a job offer with a professional answer.How to reject a job offer when you already said yes to another.When declining a job offer can get you a higher salary (and when it cant).How to politely decline a job offer you already accepted (with examples).Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample resume made with our builderSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume now1How to Decline a Job Offer [Step-by-Step Instruction]Congratulations.Youve got better options.Now: how to turn down a job offer without making enemies?Follow these simple tips:Declining a Job Offer in 6 Easy StepsDo it by phone. Its the best way to decline a job offer.Cant do phone? Send an email.Declining a job offer wont burn a bridge.Thank them for offering.Give a nonspecific reason.Ask to stay in touch after you decline the job.Heres what it looks like in practice:Declining a Job Offer SampleNeed an example of how to reject a job in an email? Here you go:Turning Down a Job Offer Email ExampleAgain, the phone is your friend when rejecting a job offer. Why? Its warmer.But if you have to use an email:Dear Ms. Caliphan,Thank you so much for the offer to work as a Cloudwallop software engineer. I very much enjoyed meeting both you and the development team last week.Sadly, Ill have to decline, since the position isnt a fit with my current career goals.I wish you the best in your search for the perfect candidate. Im cheered by the possibility of working at your company in the future. Would you be open to connecting on LinkedIn so we can keep in touch?Best regards,Paula MonizThats the perfect job offer rejection letter. Youll disappoint the hiring team, but theyll respect you.Need to know how to decline a job offer after accepting another job? What if youve already accepted this job? Or you want more money? Those are next.Pro Tip: Dont wait! You should decline job offers you dont want right away. Just make sure the ink is dry on your other offer first so you dont have to go crawling back.Are you writing a job decline letter because youre wondering, What job should I have? See our guide: What Career Is Right for Me? What Job Should I Have? How to Choose2How to Turn Down a Job Offer if You Said Yes to AnotherIts the best of both worlds.You got two offers. The choice was tough, but you made it.Now its time to hav e the talk.Heres how:Be quick.Thank them for their time and offer.Explain that you have a better option.Ask to stay in touch.Pretty simple, right?Use this example as your guide:How to Decline a Job Offer After Accepting AnotherDear Ms. Finelli,I wanted to thank you for the offer to work as a graphic designer at Shibula Designs. You have a great team and some exciting projects.Unfortunately, Ive decided to decline the offer, since Ive accepted a position with a different firm.I hope you find the perfect candidate fast. Id like to keep the door open to working at Shibula in the future. Would it be okay to connect with you on LinkedIn?Best regards,Tommy MeyerClean and simple.That how to decline a job offer but leave the door open example does it right.Pro Tip: Declining a job offer is a lot easier if you treated the interview as an information-gathering session. Make sure to ask questions in every interview.Did you decline the job offer? Why are you interested in this position? See our guide: Why Do You Want to Work Here? (10+ Sample Answers That Get Jobs)3How to Decline a Job Offer Due to SalaryWant more money?Surprisingly, pitting two job offers against each other is a bad idea.Why?Because youre not shopping for a car. Both companies will resent iteven the one you accept.You dont want to work for a begrudging boss.ButIts different if they up the offer on their own.Heres what to do:Dont tell exact figures to either party. If they want you, theyll offer enough.Make it clear you havent accepted the other offer yet.Dont ask for more money. Theyll suggest it if they can.This example shows how to decline a job offer but leave the door open to more:How to Reject a Job Offer Because of Salary ExampleDear Mr. Berengar,Many thanks for the job offer for your project manager position. It was nice to meet all of you at Foster Brothers last week.With reluctance, Im declining. Ive received an offer from another company with a generous compensation package.I hope you find the right project manager for the job soon. I remain open to working for Foster Brothers in the future. Could we stay in touch on LinkedIn?Sincerely,Kathy JahrPerfect.That how to decline a job offer sample might just get a higher salary.Just make sure youre really okay turning down the job before you try this.Pro Tip: Be careful! Even if they come back with a better offer on their own, that means they were low-balling you. Do you really want to work for a company that does that?Need to know how to get a better offer? See our guide: How to Negotiate a Salary Like a Boss - Zety Resume Builder4How to Reject a Job Offer After Accepting ItWhoops!You goofed and said yes, but shouldve said no.Now you feel like Elaine from Seinfeld.Buck up. Its not fun, but declining a job offer after accepting it isnt the end of the world.How to Back Out of a Job Offer You Already AcceptedBe sure you want to reject the job offer.Check your contract in case youre stuck.Be polite and apologetic.State a good reas on if you have one.If there isnt one, stay vague.Say thank you for the offer.Leave the door open.As always, the best way to turn down a job offer after youve accepted it is by phone. That lets you explain yourself more clearly.See the example of turning down a job offer after accepting below.Sample Letter Declining a Job Offer After Accepting ItDear Mr. Wojtyla,I was thrilled to accept the job offer for the accountant position. Its been a long-term dream of mine to work for Cisco, and it was great meeting you and the team last week.Unfortunately, on further consideration I have to retract my acceptance. This was a very difficult decision for me, but the position doesnt fit my career goals.Many thanks for your help and time. I wish you the best of luck in filling the role. Id also like to leave the door open to work with Cisco in the future, should my situation change.Sincerely,Bill TegnerLets be honest.The bridge is probably burned. But that example of how to turn down a job after y ouve accepted it is as professional as you can get.Pro Tip: If you didnt sign a contract, theres no harm in backing out of a job you accepted. Even if you signed, you may be able to get off the hook. Ask a lawyer.Did you decline a job offer without a new job in the hopper? Time to get looking. See our guide: 30 Best Job Search Sites How to Use Them to Find Employment Fast5More Examples of Declining a Job Offer GracefullyStill need help?When rejecting a job offer seems daunting, examples can steer you right.Remember, when turning down a job:Show appreciation.Give a good, brief reason.Ask to stay in touch.Here are some examples of each part of how to decline a job offer:Showing Appreciation [Examples]Im so grateful for the offer of the teaching position job at Fayetteville High School. It was great to meet you and the other faculty and staff last week.Thank you so much for extending the offer for the nursing job at Mercy Hospital. I enjoyed speaking with you and learning so much abou t the role.Many thanks for the interview last week for the business analyst position at Amazon. It was an honor to speak with the team, and I appreciate the generous offer.Reasons for Declining a Job Offer [Examples]However, after a great deal of thought, Ive decided to accept an offer from another firm.While this role seems like a rich opportunity, it doesnt quite fit with my current career goals.Upon careful consideration, Ive decided Ill have to decline. I plan to pursue another job that will let me grow into a leadership position.Stay in Touch [Examples]Id like to stay in touch in case my situation changes. Could we connect on LinkedIn?In the hopes that something may work out in the future, Id like to stay connected. May I check in with you from time to time?I value our connection and Id like to keep in touch. Let me know if its okay to connect with you in future.Pro Tip: Be honest when you turn down a job offerwithout being negative about the job or company. Remember: you didnt know everything about the role until the interview.Need to say thank you after an interview? Use our guide: Thank You Email After an Interview: 6 Samples for All Jobs 20+ TipsKey TakeawaySummary: How to decline a job offer:Turn down a job offer by phone if you can. Its more professional.Dont worry about burning bridges. The hiring team will understand.Thank them and be polite.Give a professionally worded reason, but dont go into detail.Ask to stay in touch.Still have questions about how to decline a job offer? Do you have tips for how to turn down a job offer you think our readers ought to know? Leave a comment. Wed love to talk about it!