How to decline a job offer while already signed and accepted

[alec1975]

TheAngryDog said:

so, what did you end up doing OP?

I told them that due to a change in circumstances i won't be able to start before 6 months. In reply they said they can't wait that long and withdraw the offer.

The reason i mentioned six months is because i knew they won't wait that long and would withdraw the offer. Didn't want to burn the bridges.

After just half an hour i started getting emails from agencies about this same role.

I am still thinking about it if i have made the right decision, will find out in few months time after starting the other job. Don't know may be its my personality that i don't like to let things go.

I would like to thanks everyone who replied to my post. It was useful.

Edited by alec1975 on Friday 9th December 11:07

Edited by alec1975 on Friday 9th December 14:46

[Countdown]

alec1975 said:

I told them that due to a change in circumstances i won't be able to start on agreed date and i asked them can i start in 6 months period time. In reply they said they can't wait that long.

Why did you ask if you could start in 6 months' time? Was the other job only for 6 months?

[SpeckledJim]

alec1975 said:

Countdown said:

Why did you ask if you could start in 6 months' time? Was the other job only for 6 months?

Honestly speaking, i was feeling really about it and didn't know how to approach them. I knew they won't wait that long so i just took a risk and said i can't start before 6 months.

Bit weird, when they get in touch in 4 months asking if you'll take the job, you'll tell them you're 4 months into the other job?

Or lie and get found out?

Just tell them. You won't spoil their Christmas, they won't really give a toss.

[TIGA84]

alec1975 said:

Countdown said:

Why did you ask if you could start in 6 months' time? Was the other job only for 6 months?

Honestly speaking, i was feeling really about it and didn't know how to approach them. I knew they won't wait that long so i just took a risk and said i can't start before 6 months.

So, in short, after some very useful advice with positive outcomes on both points, you've successfully managed to fk both of them up?

[ruggedscotty]

you let them withdraw the offer....

Oh that was nice of you.

[alec1975]

TIGA84 said:

So, in short, after some very useful advice with positive outcomes on both points, you've successfully managed to fk both of them up?

I told them that due to a change in circumstances i won't be able to start before 6 months. In reply they said they can't wait that long and withdraw the offer.

The reason i mentioned six months because i knew they won't wait that long and would withdraw the offer. Didn't want to burn the bridges.

[SpeckledJim]

alec1975 said:

TIGA84 said:

So, in short, after some very useful advice with positive outcomes on both points, you've successfully managed to fk both of them up?

I told them that due to a change in circumstances i won't be able to start before 6 months. In reply they said they can't wait that long and withdraw the offer.

The reason i mentioned six months because i knew they won't wait that long and would withdraw the offer. Didn't want to burn the bridges.

But what happens when your new boss is in the pub with his best mate and mentions his new hire...

...and it turns out his best mate is the bloke you lied to today?

[prand]

alec1975 said:

I told them that due to a change in circumstances i won't be able to start before 6 months. In reply they said they can't wait that long and withdraw the offer.

The reason i mentioned six months because i knew they won't wait that long and would withdraw the offer. Didn't want to burn the bridges.

Weird logic. There was really no need to lie to sweeten the message, ironically, the way things go in jobs and life, this could come back to bite you.

The truth (that you had a better offer elsewhere, which you didn't have to mention anyway), would have been perfectly acceptable, and would not have burnt any bridges.

All the best with the new role though!

[Rich_W]

I was offered and accepted a job in May this year.

(Unwisely) decided to stay where I was so declined it. Wasn't easy. But just told them straight. They tried to talk me round. But I stuck to my guns. Turns out with hindsight I played a blinder. Guy who interviewed me and would have been my manager had worked at various places previously. Turns out he's not the best person to work for

[fido]

parabolica said:

Got to look after #1 (this coming from someone who works in HR); although that said I'm not the kind of person who jumps from job to job constantly - I just finished working at the only company I'd been with for 10 years since leaving Uni. You can't help the timing if you get a better offer; but you need to look out for yourself.

As someone who worked in HR, would you insist they worked our their 3 month notice period if they had only started 2 weeks ago? I cannot work out the notice period but want to leave on good terms. Also can I state that this is an 'unfair' contract (weeks notice on their side) in my notice letter, or would it be better to leave that to verbal negotiations instead?

Edited by fido on Sunday 11th December 10:16