I’ve rejected a few job offers in my life. Sometimes due to filthy lucre, other times I just haven’t felt that the place was right for me for whatever reason and sometimes because I’ve had better offers. More often than not, turning down a job is a bit heartrending, because you’re never 100% certain you’re doing the right thing. Unless you’re supremely confident in yourself, there’s always a period of reflection where you think about what you’re taking on and what path you’re headed down. It’s a pretty big “what if?” to work through.
But sometimes, the company you reject make that process a bit easier.
I once turned down an offer for a web designer’s job at another agency. Bit of a tough call, but the demands of travel and a gut feel about the stiff kind of working environment they had – plus a concerted effort on the part of my boss to keep me – tipped the balance in favour of me staying put. But a few months later, they came back and made a play for me again, this time offering me a more senior position. My boss put an amount of money on the table that I couldn’t ignore, certainly not with a newborn baby at home. When I phoned the company to tell them that I was again staying put, I was stunned by the response.
He quickly got angry – even as I apologised – and butted in to tell me that “You’re just using us to get a pay rise.” I was shocked by his tone. Surely anyone recruiting someone they value (and let’s recall they’d contacted me!) must understand that their current employer might make moves to keep them and be prepared to bargain or make other appeals? Anyway, as he shouted down the phone at me – basically accusing me of lying – I not only became super sure I’d made the right decision, but I made a mental note of the guy’s name and swore that I’d never work with or for him in the future. I didn’t even work with this dude, and here he was dressing me down… can you imagine what he must be like to actually work under?
I’ve experienced something of the sort again recently. It’s no secret that I’m leaving my home of the last 6 years, the digital agency 9xb (see: I’m even prepared to throw in a keyword link 
) but I’ve actually had 2 offers on the table. Obviously 2 into 1 doesn’t go and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to follow my heart this time rather than just chase the money.
So, I found myself in the position of having to turn down another offer. I sent a very apologetic email, explaining that although the money and lots of aspects of the position were appealing, I was regretfully turning down the offer and gave as much explanation as I felt I could. Since then? I haven’t even had a reply to acknowledge my email, still less so much as a phone call.
Now, I don’t know about you, but that speaks volumes about the kind of company they must be. In an interview, it’s a truism that the potential employee is putting a gloss on their achievements. But it’s worth bearing in mind that the employers can be just as guilty. They’ll sit there and smile and tell you that they’re a friendly, caring sort of place with a happy team, but there’s no way of knowing that for sure till you’re actually there – at which point it’s too late. In this case, it doesn’t take much reading of the tealeaves to see that these guys are not actually that concerned about the people that work for them and I certainly won’t be losing any sleep over the decision I’ve made.
They’re now also in my notebook of places to avoid in the future, so if they genuinely did think I was a great potential asset to their business they’ll never really get to know now, will they?
Hi mate,
I can completely relate to your experiences here, I’ve had a similar experience lately (keep hush lol). A local company (Yorkshire based) approached me late last year and invited me in for an interview. I agreed as I thought, on the surface, they seemed that a great company to work for, had big name clients but were still small enough to buy into. I met the staff (who seemed great), had a look around (again great) and then at the end of the interview the MD finally came and saw me (too busy upstairs listening to Radio 4). I had a second interview with the same structure, with the MD coming down near the end to ask some direct questions. I left and had an offer offered to me. I met the MD in person again and this was the catalyst in my decision making. As I sat there and listened to his less than enthusiastic ‘why you’d be stupid not to work for me/us’, I realised this wasn’t a place I wanted to be. At my stage in my career, I either want to work for myself or work with a great leader like I respect and look up to, and can develop my skills with. As he tried to close the deal, I said I wanted to go away and consider the options as like you pointed out it was a big move with lots of if’s and but’s flying round my head. I gave him a time when I’d give him a decision and he seemed, well reluctantly agreeable.
I then got a call out of the blue from him, before the deadline, pressuring me into making a decision there and then. I was at work at the time so took the call outside. I was put on the spot so I guess my instincts took over.
I said no thanks. (in a really apologetic tone), and he basically said ‘fuck you’, through his tone. I left it professional and thanked him for the opportunity… he hung up.
Close shave? Good decision? Who knows? I’d be earning a lot more but even that couldn’t presuade me.
Ironically, they emailed me last week again to say they were recruiting and wanted me to apply. I replyed, and with my past experience of them, dropped them a seemingly justified email.
“…what’s the job role and estimated salary…”
I never got a reply…
…not a tinkle, not even an acknowledement.
I understand in this economic climate having a job is a blessing, but if you want to recruit someone specific from a competitor you need to play on a level playing field and not have the attitude of “I’m a business and you are a piece of shit”. Job attendees have the right to turn down a job as much the business has the right to refuse a candidate.
Always go with your gut instinct, inevitably it’s easier to live with.