One of the challenges of having job search success can be managing multiple employment offers. Knowing how to accept and decline successfully cannot be understated.
Here are some guidelines for politely accepting or declining a job offer.
I. Accepting an offer
For some of you, you will get a phone call on that eventful day that will mark the launching of your career as a CPA. All the hard work, research, networking, late hours, follow up, balancing a robust recruiting schedule, keeping up with your academic studies, creating a compelling application with your carefully crafted documents, attending recruiting workshops, career coaching appointments, interview preparation, interviewing several times and attending those fun but stressful social events all finally consummates with a job offer. Whew…it is exhausting just thinking about all that again!
For others, you will receive your offer by email. Either way an offer for employment has been made and a big sigh of relief can be heard right across campus as you sit back in your chair and celebrate the fact that you realized the goal of this madness we call CPA Recruit! I thought I even heard someone scream, “YES!” from across Birmingham Centre – maybe that was you!
Well…let me be the first to day – “Congratulations!” You worked hard for this and you deserve the offer. For some of you, you will have more than one offer. That, of course, means that you will need to both accept and decline an offer. So what to do…?
1. Thank them!
Be sure to let them know how much you have enjoyed the recruiting process with them, connecting with their staff and how thankful you are to receive an offer from them. Showing you value their offer is important.
2. Request the offer in writing.
If you do get a phone call to offer you a position, be sure to thank them for the offer and request it in writing. A verbal offer is always a nice gesture, but an “official offer” is only truly received when it is in writing.
3. Anticipating more than one offer?
If you are confident that you may receive more than one offer, then you will want to give yourself some time to review the first one, await a response from other firms, compare it and make a decision accordingly., “Could you please send the offer to me in writing and I’ll get back to you as soon as I am able to do so.”
4. How long should you take to decide?
The offer window is clear on the CPA recruiting calendar and you need to be sure to reply to an offer within the required time frame. Most employers expect a response in 24-48 hours, however, in this recruiting environment you have a little more latitude. If you choose to wait longer, letting them know when you plan to respond is helpful for them to know what to expect. I would not recommend telling them that you are waiting to receive other offers and you are waiting to see which one you will accept. This, although true, may not align with previously telling them how much you love their firm and also has an elevated element of risk.
5. Formally accepting an offer.
In your acceptance letter, thank them, accept the offer, include your understanding of the terms of employment: the job title, start date, starting salary, benefits and any other pertinent information. If you have any questions concerning any aspect of the offer or any areas that were not clear in their offer, feel free to ask for clarification. Of course, be sure to tell them how excited you are to begin and find out what the next steps are for finalizing any paperwork and when the soonest opportunity is to meet the team.
II. Declining an offer
If a company has extended a job offer that you have decided not to accept, you need to advise the company of you decision not to accept their offer.
Why would you decline an offer?
1. Accepted another offer
Normally, the reason will be that you’ve accepted another job offer. If so, it will be important to thank them and let them know you received another offer. Letting them know you value the connections you have made and that you are looking forward to networking with them and connecting again in the days to come. Reaffirming how their company still holds an attraction to you for specific reasons and how difficult the decision was for you is worth stating. You never know when you may approach them again for employment in the future or even help them in a career transition in the days to come. This is networking!
2. You have already decided you are not going to accept their offer.
If you already know you are not going to accept their offer when the phone offer is made, out of courtesy, you should be prompt and let the company know right away that you are not going to accept their offer. If you have already accepted an offer from another company or have no intention of accepting an offer from them for other reasons then you should just simply thank them and decline. Of course, your reply should resemble the response in point 1. and be followed by an official decline in writing.
3. You delayed to entertain other offers and are now going to decline
If you delayed responding to them as you entertained other offers, then declining the offer should happen through a phone call initiated by you, followed by a letter stating the same.
III. Reasons for declining an offer
It is good to give a reason for declining an offer in your own words but can be something similar to the following.
1. You received an offer that you just could not refuse because of “X”. Here you can briefly cite the reason for the decline which can include accepting another offer and a reason why if you choose to divulge this. If so, be careful to state something that is different than the offer you are rejecting like, “it was more in alignment with future career goals/aspirations.”
2. It is not necessary to state whose offer you accepted, but you may do so if you wish. Again, tell them why that company was your choice, if you wish to. I can tell you mid-sized firms won’t like hearing about how you chose a Big 4 firm over them so be considerate of this before deciding your approach.
3. Maintain your professionalism at all times both over the phone and in your letter to avoid any negativity. Sometimes the firm staff member may not be happy with your decision. Do not react but kindly let them know why it was a difficult decision for you. Remember, this employer may be a contact for you sometime in the future.
Note: Be sure to check out the sample letter for declining an offer on the Sauder Career Success Cycle – Step 6.
IV. Some other things to keep in mind while entertaining offers:
1. Do not post anything about receiving several offers on Social Media during the process. Wait until your offer is secured and then decide what to post. Remember what you post may be viewed by those that you declined an offer from.
2. Be positive, humble and appreciative throughout the process including when declining and accepting offers.
3. Texting is never an appropriate way to communicate accepting or declining an offer. Even in a technological age when we use these forms of connecting readily, it is not the professional way to accept or decline. Both a phone call and letter are the proper ways to reply just like a cover letter and resume are the appropriate ways to apply.
4. Thank other people at the firm for their support and let them know how much you value their connection moving forward. Using LinkedIn for this communication is totally appropriate. Afterall, this is networking post-recruit.
Well that about sums it up! I hope what I have offered has helped you with your offers!
One final thought…don’t forget to let your references and your career coach know what happened throughout the final stages of your interviews and during the offer stage. They will appreciate knowing and better understanding how their supported benefitted you.
Good Luck,
Russell
Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and your DAP Career Coach. He also collaborates with the Business Career Center to support BCom career initiatives from time to time. Russell will be delivering the “Getting Your Accounting Career On Track” workshop in November and the Spring Career Workshop Series from January – April 2017 to prepare DAP students for 2017 CPA recruiting and overall job search strategies. Russell is also available to DAP students for online coaching appointments set up through email and will be on-campus from time to time for in-person coaching appointments.
Contact Russell at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca.