Deciding whether to accept a job
offer is a tough decision and a very personal one. Many factors come into play:
the compensation package, any possible relocation, the fear of the unknown… In
the end, you take a well-informed decision whether to accept or reject.
But what happens if you decide not
to accept the offer…only to regret it a few days later. Is there a way back?
A door is never closed. After all,
when a company makes you a job offer, it means that they are genuinely
interested in what you have to offer. Throughout the process, they have made
the conscious decision that your skillset and your personality is what their
company needs. That hasn’t changed overnight, simply because you have turned
them down.
Whether the door opens again, is a
different thing.
First of all, they may have offered
the position to another candidate. In that case, there is no other way than to
live with the consequences and learn from the experience.
Quite often, there is no back-up
candidate and the position will still be open. The way you re-establish contact
will be key as to whether they will reconsider you as a candidate or whether
the door will remain closed. Your approach can confirm that you have courage,
the courage to admit that you have made a mistake. At the same time, it can
also give the impression that you take decisions emotionally without any
rational behind it.
So here are few tips that can help
you in preparing that conversation.
· Take 24 hours to think about your decision. Once you have
reconfirmed your interest in the position, there is no way back. You can come
back on your word maybe once but never twice.
· If you worked through a recruitment agency or a headhunter, use
them as an intermediate to test how deep the water is.
· Candor goes a long a way. Be open about the reasons why you have
rejected the offer and what has happened that has made you change your mind. Be
prepared to elaborate on any personal issues that may have influenced the
decision. At the same time, there is no need to put your entire life on
display.
· Make it easy for the hiring manager to turn you down. After all,
he or she will probably be disappointed after your initial decision and might
not be willing to reconsider you.
Embarrassing as it may be to go
back on your word, take your chances if you regret having rejected a job offer.
If you are candid and sincere, the worst the company can say is no, and let’s
face that is the same position as you are currently in.
I look forward to hearing from you
Isabel
Through a personalized and
tailor-made approach, Ingenium Executive Search aspires to assist you in
attracting the right talent that matches the DNA of your company
Check out our website http://www.ingenium-search.be
Follow me on Twitter
@IngeniumSearch
