3 Reasons to Turn Down a Job Offer

Consider Alternatives!

Dan Reveal
Although you may think you've found the perfect job, there is no reason to rush into a commitment when you have a chance to consider alternatives.

As you consider the actual features of the job offer, you might discover at least 3 reasons to revise your earlier expectations and turn the job offer down.

Unfriendly Working Conditions

Naturally, no one wants to work with mean spirited people, but a primary reason to turn down a job goes beyond mere personality conflicts.

Unfriendly working conditions, as a reason to turn a job offer down, can also include managers who don't explain directions clearly. If they don't adequately explain the details of your job from the beginning, for example, why should you take the chance that things will improve?

You might also be in disagreement with the values of those you will be working with. Do you notice people taking extra long lunches, for example? If you take the job, you might become a victim of this inconsiderate behavior.

Doesn't Improve Your Skills

It's important to think of a job as one step in your overall career. A job isn't automatically an end in itself, the place you have to stay while making the same money year after year.

Another reason, then, to turn down a job offer is if the job won't improve your skills as a worker. If you see that the challenges of the job are limited, you might be inclined to turn it down.

Naturally, monetary compensation is also important. Does the job offer built-in raises? The point is to address where you are at right now in your career and ask for adequate money.

Turn down the job offer if your skills aren't likely to improve so that you can make even more money.

Ineffective Human Resource Policies

Lastly, questions to ask which might influence your decision to turn down a job offer have to do with the basic structure of the company as outlined by human resources.

Is the nature of having sick days explained clearly? Where do you go when you have a problem with your immediate supervisor? Do all the departments in the company work together?

This infrastructure is important. You want to be the best worker you can be, but you need cooperation and support from different levels of management.

In sum, you might think you are being offered a great job.

As you begin to look closely, however, you might find at least 3 reasons to turn down the job offer.

There is no need to rush into a commitment when you have a chance to consider alternatives.

Published by Dan Reveal

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16 Comments

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  • Thomas Lane4/17/2011

    If you had written this four years ago, it might have a lot more relevancy. These days, many people are lucky to have a job at all and most are in no position to pick and choose. For someone struggling to keep his or her home, lack of growth opportunities or the presumed meanness of the people mean little compared to the presence of a paycheck.

  • Charlotte Kuchinsky4/14/2011

    Oustanding!

  • Delicia Powers4/12/2011

    Good points, thanks!

  • Mike Powers4/12/2011

    Excellent advice, my friend. Thanks!

  • Lori Gunn4/12/2011

    very good reasons

  • Dina Sullivan4/12/2011

    Very good Dan, you absolutely amaze me...... :o)

  • Lady Samantha4/11/2011

    Good advice!

  • Sandy James4/11/2011

    Excellent article Dan!

  • Cindy Lynn4/11/2011

    Good info, Dan. It's always easier to turn a job down than to quit after starting.

  • John Myers4/11/2011

    Well done my friend!

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