When Should You Decline A Job Offer?

If you walk into an interview and things don’t feel so good, that may be a clue that you may want to ask more questions about the culture of the organization. If you are sitting in the interview and the people around the table don’t seem to like each other, that would be another clue that the organization has some issues. If you have a friend that works in the organization and they tell you that there are issues with the hiring manager, it may be another obvious indicator that accepting an offer may mean problems for you down the road.

When you accept a job offer, it should feel right to you. If you are not into feelings, than use “valid data” to determine if the organization is the right place for you. Don’t accept a job offer with blinders on. If you see something that makes you say hmmm, ask questions. See if you can get clarity about what you saw or what you are feeling. You may not get an answer, but asking questions may give you clarity.

An example, when I was interviewing years ago for a training manager position at a very high profile organization. I asked the hiring manager (Director of Training Development), to describe his management style. The interview was scheduled from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. They flew me in for the interview, they put me in a very nice hotel and had a limo outside waiting for me in the morning. Very nice! Back to my story – so at about 8:30 am, I am meeting with the hiring manager, and I ask my question, “describe your management style.” The first thing out of his mouth was, “I am a micro-manager.” I knew at 8:30 am in the morning, that no matter how good the interview went, or how good the offer may be, I was not going to work for that organization. It would have been a great opportunity. The salary would have been AWESOME. But the Director of Training admitted he was a micro-manager and I knew that wouldn’t work for me.

Do you know what works for you? And what doesn’t? If you don’t, you need to find out. You should decline a job offer when the organizational culture doesn’t fit you – your style. If the culture is very directive, and you operate from fear, or you get nervous when people yell a lot, that is the wrong place for you. If you are an individual contributor and you prefer to work alone, but the job offer requires 95% team work, it is the wrong place for you. If you don’t feel comfortable with the person you may work for, don’t take the job. These are a few examples of how you can effectively assess when to decline a job offer you have to ask the right questions in the interview. You also need to do your homework before saying yes. Find out what you need to know before you say yes. Even in this economy, don’t just say “yes” because you need a job. Say “yes” when it makes sense for you and the organization. When it’s a good fit, for both you and the organization, say “YES”!

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