So you’ve put in the work– you’ve revised many resumes and cover letters, applied to countless positions, and finally have accepted a position with a company. But then you get another offer that’s better than the one you accepted already. So then… is it okay to accept and then decline a job offer? Are you allowed to retract your words? While there isn’t a right answer for every person in every situation, if at all possible, we recommend that you try to avoid rescinding an acceptance to an offer. But let’s dive into the nitty gritty.
Legality
Before preceding, first you have to consider the legality of declining a job you have already accepted. If you’ve already signed a written contract accepting a job offer then you will have to read the document in detail to determine whether or not you are legally bound to an employer. If you have only given a verbal acceptance then you have some more flexibility when it comes to declining an offer. However, it’s important to note that just because you can renege an offer, doesn’t mean that you should.
The Risk
When you rescind an offer that you have accepted, you’ve broken a commitment which could have a negative effect on your reputation. Understand that it is unlikely you will land a position with the company in the future. You should also keep in mind that many companies within the same industries are well connected. The recruiter or manager of a company that you just reneged an acceptance at may be somehow connected with recruiters of other companies in the industry which could hurt your future opportunities in the long run. In some extreme cases, the new company that you’ve accepted with may retract their offer after hearing that you declined the first company.
Additionally, when it comes to campus recruitment, companies dedicate a lot of money and resources to participate. As a result, when students accept offers and then decline them, companies get frustrated. This reflects badly on the university and could damage the relationship that Cornell/Human Ecology may have with the company. Companies may not come back to recruit which hurts future opportunities for other students.
If You Really Want to Decline
If you still want to decline your offer, you must be absolutely certain before approaching the company. This is not an issue that you can flip-flop on. Once you have initiated the process, there is no backing out.
Communicate Well
Apologize personally over the phone rather than an email or text. Ensure that all your interactions with recruiters and managers are polite and cordial.
Provide an Explanation
The company you are reneging your offer to deserves some explanation as to why you have changed your mind. So whether it’s because you received a better offer or if your personal circumstances changed, you should divulge some context. This is not an opportunity to make excuses for yourself but rather a chance to provide the employer some clarity.
Be Gracious
While you are declining the offer, you should express your appreciation for the opportunity. It is helpful to mention positive factors of the position and the company and also express your appreciation for the people you have met during the selection process.
Ways to Avoid
Lastly, there are a few ways that you can avoid putting yourself in a situation where you would consider rescinding a job or internship offer. For example, while in the job hunting process, if you have already received an offer from Company A and you are still waiting to hear back from Company B, who you’ve already interviewed with, you can ask for an extension. If you have already accepted an offer from Company A, you should avoid accepting interviews from other companies. Companies stop searching for candidates once they have received an acceptance from you. As a result, accepting a job is a two-way street and you should extend the same courtesy to the companies you are applying to work at. Furthermore, although it’s “riskier” because of future uncertainty, it’s better to decline a job rather than accept and then decline an offer. Before you accept an offer, be certain that this is a position that you would be comfortable and content working at.
Bottom line, is it okay to accept and then decline a job offer? In a perfect world, no. But at the end of the day, the decision is yours; you will have to carefully weigh the costs and benefits of rescinding a job acceptance given your particular situation. But remember, there is a right way to renege your verbal agreement while preserving your reputation and respecting the company who has hired you. Good luck!