I have been looking for a new permanent role as a lead process engineer for a couple of months but am I’m keen to ensure that a new role is exactly what I need in terms of career progression, so I’m not willing to leave my current job until I’m completely happy that I have found the right thing. I was interviewed for a job recently that wasn’t quite right, so if they offer me the position I don’t intend to accept it. How do I do this without jeopardising my eligibility for future openings?
You’re in the enviable position of having plenty of time to conduct your job search so that, unlike job seekers who find themselves unexpectedly out of work, you can afford to be selective about the company you work for and the position you’re willing to accept. This situation should allow you to make the best possible decision when it comes to your long-term ambition.
It is understandable that you’re not willing to accept a role that isn’t quite right, but also important that you acknowledge the amount of time and effort that companies put into the recruitment process. You need to ensure that you respectfully decline this offer to maintain good relations with an organisation that has been impressed with your CV and taken the time to interview you for the role ahead of other candidates.
If your offer is made on the phone, don’t feel pressured to give a decision there and then. A polite request to consider the offer is perfectly reasonable, especially if you’re awaiting the outcome of other interviews - a week is generally accepted as an appropriate timeframe. Of course, this also gives you time to reconsider your intention just in case something has changed your mind about the position and you’d like to accept.
If you stick with your decision to decline the offer, you can either do so verbally at the time they make the offer or you can call them back when you have had time to think about it. If you’re sure that you won’t be accepting the position, it might be worth making a list of reasons and having them nearby when you make the call - think “it’s not you, it’s me” here and you’ll minimise the likelihood of them taking it personally!
You should follow in writing anything that is agreed upon verbally. Thank the interviewer/s for their time and reiterate your interest in the organisation, explaining that you hope this decision won’t have a negative impact on your relationship with the company and telling them that you’d welcome the chance to discuss more suitable future openings. Describe what may have resulted in a different outcome – slightly different roles and responsibilities or greater opportunities for promotion?
If the company knows what you’re looking for and they are especially impressed with your skills and experience, there’s a chance they could either come straight to you when something comes up or create a role that more accurately matches your requirements to avoid missing out on what you have to bring to the company. While this is less likely in a client-driven market, you shouldn’t discount the possibility altogether.
Bear in mind that you should apply this technique for every vacancy that you are invited to interview for as a matter of courtesy and, even if you can’t ever imagine yourself working for them, be polite and professional and allow the organisation to continue with their recruitment campaign – what isn’t quite right for you could be someone else’s dream job!
