Rejecting or Accepting Offers

This concludes our series on what to do with a job offer

Having negotiated as close to a win-win solution, you must either reject or accept the offer. While that sounds simple, you can enhance both options with a few key steps.

Remember, that you will usually reject or accept the offer at the end of the negotiating meeting or phone call. While, in very rare circumstance, you may ask for more time to consider; that conveys the wrong impression.

You must therefore, make the preparations listed in my last post so that you already have a good idea of what you will decide. Your four part table, with notes added during the meeting, should clearly indicate your choice.

Rejecting the Offer

Do not sever the relationship when you reject an offer.

First, this same company may call you later with a position and situation more acceptable. You want them to still yearn to have you join their team.

Second, the person you worked so hard to impress, may move to another company that could need someone with your skills in a few years. You want them to put you on their short list of people to contact the next time they need the skills you possess.

Third, they may talk to people at other companies. Imagine, the Human Resource manager with the company you just rejected—and rejected poorly—attending the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) luncheon. Their tablemate is the Human Resource manager of the company you would love to hire you. The subject turns to a vacancy, needing your skills, at the desired company. What will the rejected manager think, and possibly say, about you?

Follow these simple steps:

1. Express how honored you were by their very generous offer.
2. Share two specific things you respect about the company (every company has at least 2)
3. Explain that nevertheless you do not feel this specific offer is in both of your interests
4. If you can diplomatically, you may share one or two reasons that it is not win-win
5. State that you still hope to work for the company in the future when it would be equally beneficial.
6. Thank them again for considering you to work for their team.

Accepting the Offer

Your acceptance transitions you from the negotiation phase of the meeting to beginning the onboarding (current jargon for starting) process. The following steps can help transition smoothly:

1. Review a final time the terms of the agreement
2. Express how honored you are by their very generous offer
3. Tell them you accept the offer based on those terms
4. Ask how the terms will be solidified. Verify if you will
• Sign a written contract
• Clarify them in an email
• See it in the new hire packet
5. Verify the date, time, location, and person you should meet on your first day
6. Inquire what percent of the first day will involve new hire packet & orientation
7. Offer to let them copy your passport, or driver’s license and social security card for I-9
8. Offer to jumpstart your work by reading any orientation, policy, or other  materials now
9. Inquire if there is anything else you need to know or do
10. Thank them again for allowing you to work for their team

How you reject or accept a job offer indicates a lot about what kind of employee—and person—you are. The tips above can help you start the job well, or leave doors open to work with them later. I hope this helps with your next job offer.

Join me on Wednesday when we review your next big goal—do not lose the job!