Turning down job? Burning a bridge?

[cdon]

I was offered a job within the last two years but I decided it wasn’t the right time to move. I turned it down and made the decision to stay where I was, focus on a project I was starting and my own personal development.

(In between this Covid happened, so in hindsight it isn’t a decision I regret)

Whilst the move requires relocation to another country, the industry is still one I want to pursue.

I just wanted to get your thoughts on the reality of ‘reapplying’ to a company that you have previously turned down?

Is it a non starter and should I just accept that bridge has been burned? Or can it be done?

The project I am working on will be complete in the next few months. I am still considering a move to the same area/industry as the company that previously offered me a job.

[williamp]

If you did it sensibly there is no harm in trying again. Maybe you felt you needed more experience before working there....???

[anonymous-user]

cdon said:

Is it a non starter and should I just accept that bridge has been burned? Or can it be done?.

How do you know whether the bridge has been burned unless you ask? Let them tell you they're not interested, don't assume. If you were good enough last time you're probably even better this time.

[Countdown]

cdon said:

I was offered a job within the last two years but I decided it wasn’t the right time to move. I turned it down and made the decision to stay where I was, focus on a project I was starting and my own personal development.

(In between this Covid happened, so in hindsight it isn’t a decision I regret)

Whilst the move requires relocation to another country, the industry is still one I want to pursue.

I just wanted to get your thoughts on the reality of ‘reapplying’ to a company that you have previously turned down?

Is it a non starter and should I just accept that bridge has been burned? Or can it be done?

The project I am working on will be complete in the next few months. I am still considering a move to the same area/industry as the company that previously offered me a job.

It will make no difference. If they wanted you before it's highly likely they will want you again

[lyonspride]

Depends on the hiring manager, if this person gets butt-hurt by you turning down an offer, then they're probably not somebody you'd want to work for. Because anyone that holds a grudge like that, is someone who put their ego above the companies interests.

Edited by lyonspride on Wednesday 7th October 12:32

[67Dino]

Depends on three factors:

1- is the role still required?
2- have they appointed anyone else since?
3- has your original decision impacted their confidence in you to do the new role?

So the only way to find out is to ask them about 1&2, and go prepared for ‘3’ with a good explanation as to why you turned it down originally, and why things are different now.

One other point: is there a risk that by raising this you accidentally flag that your current role isn’t really needed, and/or that you want to leave it?
We are in uncertain times and they may be looking to make redundancies, so be careful by doing this you don’t give them ideas. That really would be burning your bridges...

[Yuxi]

It worked for me, I got offered a job at JLR, turned it down, 6 months later had the opportunity to take VR in my then current job, phoned JOB and after explaining why my circumstances had changed they offered me the job again.

[cdon]

ValleyRed said:

How do you know whether the bridge has been burned unless you ask? Let them tell you they're not interested, don't assume. If you were good enough last time you're probably even better this time.

Currently this is purely thinking out loud.

If CV settles down, things get back to some normality and I’m in a position to move then they will be the first company I will be contacting.

I just wanted to get a some thoughts on the matter.