BLUF
Take time to consider your options
Keep prospective employers informed
When declining, do so promptly and tactfully
The beginning of the new financial year can be a busy period in the job market, meaning great candidates may find themselves managing multiple offers at once.
Of course, choice is a good problem to have, but one that needs to be navigated well to ensure you choose the role that’s best for your career while maintaining professionalism with any companies you inevitably decline.
The Australian defence industry is rather knit close-knit, with overlapping relationships (it's more like 3 degrees of separation), so it’s important you don’t jeopardise future career opportunities by mishandling the job offers you turn down.
Making your decision
When you receive more than one job offer, it’s imperative that you take the time to consider each one, comparing the pros and cons of each role.
Consider the specifics of the role and offer in terms of:
company culture
size and future direction
day-to-day duties
wage
your new manager
benefits
flexibility, and
professional development opportunities.
You also want to consider whether the offer will propel you towards your longer-term career goals and if it’s a good fit for you personally (or your family if you have one).
During this process, it’s important you keep potential employers or recruiters informed, letting them know you need time to consider their offer.
Honesty is the best policy. If careful communication is used to avoid prospective employers believing you are pitting one against another, it is OK to inform them that you have multiple offers. Clear communication is vital, especially with regards to timeframes, so organisations can plan effectively and wait for your response if needed.
As you're considering your options, request extra information from your prospective employers. Factors such as super contributions, bonuses, equity options and flexible working hours may impact your decision.
A timely email or phone call to the job contact is the best way to request the information, ensuring you leave them enough time to chase up the relevant information before your decision needs to be made.
Choosing between multiple job offers can be stressful, so once you have the information to hand, take the time to focus on the decision. It can be helpful to create a list of pros and cons for each role. Speaking to a trusted family member, friend, associate, or career coach can help clarify your thinking as you assess your options.
Declining a job offer
Once you’ve made your decision, inform your chosen employer as soon as possible. We advise you to wait until you have received a written offer before you let others know, as verbal offers are not official.
Informing the company whose offer you have chosen to decline should be done as soon as possible. This allows recruiters and hiring managers for an unsuccessful company to move forward with other suitable candidates or contingency plans.
Depending on the nature of the application, it’s worth considering whether to turn down the job offer via phone or email. Turning down the offer with a nicely written email can be fine, but a phone call may be a better option if you formed a good relationship with the hiring manager or recruiter through the process.
A phone call is more personal and helps solidify the relationship, showing you appreciate the time and resources the company took interviewing and considering you for the role. It may also offer the opportunity to provide your reasons for declining the offer, which can help the company with its ongoing hiring process. You’ll want to be constructive with the information you provide and do so tactfully.
Once you’ve made your decision, stick with it. Accepting and then retracting an offer you get a better offer can damage your reputation with the company and everyone involved in the recruitment process.
Are you ready to make your next move? Reach out to our consultants today!
