How To Reject A Job Offer After Accepting It (Plus Tips)

Updated 30 September 2022

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When you accept a job offer, sometimes you may receive another offer that better aligns with your career goals or salary requirements. This might result in you rejecting the first offer, even after you have already accepted and committed to the role. Understanding how to do this professionally can help you minimise conflict during the process and maintain a professional demeanour. In this article, we explain how to reject a job offer after accepting it, explore the reasons you might do this, provide a rejection letter template and example and discuss tips for making the transition process easier.

How To Reject A Job Offer After Accepting It

To learn how to reject a job offer after accepting it, review these steps:

1. Evaluate your decision

Evaluate your decision to reject your current job offer and accept a new one before you commit to any action. It may be that the new offer simply sounds more attractive, but after careful review, you might find that it actually meets fewer of your requirements. Review the current offer and compare it carefully with the new one you are considering. If the new offer still sounds better, you can start the rejection process. If it does not, you can simply decline the new offer and remain committed to the original.

2. Review any employment documents

Before you start the rejection process, review any employment documents you might have already signed, such as contracts. These documents can tell you more about the resignation process from the position and show whether the contract commits you to the role for any specific period. Some jobs require a contract from the first day of employment, and it is challenging to get out of an official agreement if you have already signed the document. You can ask for a copy of any employment document you are missing for further review.

3. Act as quickly as you can

Speed is important when you are rejecting an offer that you have already accepted because it gives the employer time to find a replacement and allows you to quickly cancel your commitments before the resignation process becomes more problematic. Act swiftly, determine which offer is in your best interest and notify your current employer of your intent to resign immediately for another offer. It is a professional courtesy to give an employer ample notice, so contact the hiring manager right after you accept a new role or decide the current position diverges from your career goals.

4. Consider alternatives to the offer

Consider any alternatives to your current situation that might prevent you from resigning. An employer might try to keep talented employees by offering better salary options, scheduling, benefits packages or other amenities. Think about which of these you might accept to keep you in the role. You might choose a different job simply for the higher pay, in which case a pay raise offer from your current employer might be enough to keep you employed there. Some hiring managers may have an alternate offer ready, so it is a good idea to know what you would be willing to accept.

5. Write an honest letter or email or make a phone call

Once you fully commit to rejecting the job offer after you accept it, write a letter or email or make a phone call and explain the situation. It may be a good idea to put your rejection in writing so you can have it for your personal records. If you write a letter or an email, use concise, professional language to tell the employer what your plans are. Be honest in your letter, explaining exactly why you are rejecting the offer even though you already accepted it.

6. Learn from the experience

Ultimately, resigning from a position you have already accepted is a learning experience. You can use this experience to discover more about what you expect as a job candidate, what kind of offers meet your requirements and what employers are willing to do to keep you on their teams. Study how to write a good letter, how to discuss difficult subjects with managers or employers and when to decline an offer. These are all valuable skills you may use later in your career.

Why You Might Reject A Job After Accepting It

There are many reasons why you might reject a job offer after accepting it. Although you may have initially accepted a position, sometimes there are compelling reasons to reject an offer before the final commitment. Here are some common reasons:

You receive another offer with higher pay, better benefits or a more flexible schedule.
You find a job that better fits your credentials or expertise.
You seek a healthier work culture.
You want opportunities to advance.
You want to associate with a company that has a better brand reputation.
You know someone who is a better candidate for the position.
You prefer a different management style.
Your career goals require a retirement plan.
You want to continue your education instead.

Rejection Letter Template

Here is a template you can use to create your own rejection letter or email when you have already accepted a job offer:

[Full name]
[Location]
[phone number]
[email address]

[Hiring manager's full name]
[Company name and location]
[Current date]

Dear [Hiring manager]
I am writing to you today to thank you for the job offer of [position] with [Company name], and to inform you that despite your excellent offer, I have decided to decline it. Although [Company name] has much to offer and it is easy to see why the company has experienced such success, ultimately, I feel my requirements and career goals differ from what the position offers. I am rejecting this offer because [a few short reasons why].

I thank you for your time and consideration and hope my resignation creates a minimum of inconvenience. I am happy to help with the transition in any way that I can. Thank you.

Sincerely,
[Full name]

Rejection Letter Example

Here is an example of a job offer rejection using the template above:

Bajirao Bhansali
Agra, UP
91-39583-95827
b.bhansali@rightworks.in

Sanjay Mastani
Agra, UP
June 1, 2022

Dear Sanjay Mastani,
I am writing to you today to thank you for the job offer of marketing director with Maratha Textiles Co., and to inform you that despite your excellent offer, I have decided to decline it. Although Maratha Textiles has much to offer and it is easy to see why the company has experienced such success, ultimately, I feel my requirements and career goals differ from what the position offers. I am rejecting this offer to accept a position in another company with a salary that better reflects my education and experience.