Declining offer

[aspiring]

A company interviewed me almost 3 months ago. Initial chats were good but once I discussed package expectations they went very quiet. Few weeks later they said they are still thinking about my expectations and for me to wait patiently. In the meantime they started to advertise the role again. When I checked in they said they could offer what I was asking.

After many postponements they have finally decided to take me to last stage.
However, I am not sure the role is right for me.

If I go to last stage interview but decline should they offer, will it look bad? I feel I will only know if role is right once I have this final assessment.

 

[aspiring]

They keep you dangling for 3 months and you still care what they might think if you turn them down?
An interview process cuts both ways. They don't care about you in the slightest when it comes to a rejection, so do what is right for you.

It is just I work in small industry, would they bad mouth me

 

[aspiring]

Even ignoring this 3 month holding pattern, no it wont look bad if you decline after the final stage. The whole point of an interview process is to determine fit for both parties. Either or both parties might not like what they hear in the final stage - otherwise what's the point in having it? Changing your mind, i.e. accepting a job and then backing out is more of a grey area, because that can waste their time, they might reject other candidates once you have accepted their offer. But pre offer stage, it's fine for either party to exit the process.

What I would recommend is using this final stage to discuss any doubts you have, ask pertinent questions etc. Many years ago, I was a bit wary of 'putting off' potential employers but now I'm a lot more up front. I'll explicitly state things like "If you are looking for XYZ, then I'm maybe not the right person, I position myself more as ABC". This might ultimately lead to fewer job offers but it also should reduce the chance of taking the wrong job with misaligned expectations.

Basically you want to come out of the final stage with a clear view on whether you want the job or not.

This is exactly my scenario and what you say is spot on.

However I guess if they make me an offer, I am ok to reject at this point too? Obviously signing a contract and rejecting not good but offer stage is fine?

 

[aspiring]

You're not their first choice, their first choice has let them down or they haven't found the candidate they really want. Stuff them.

They reached out to me and said they were still considering my package requirements and for me to be patient. Then they went super quiet and I noticed external adverts for the job, I then chased for an update and they got back to me and said we can take you to final stage. All a bit strange?

 

[aspiring]

What skyripper is suggesting is quite plausible. They might have had a preferred candidate that fell through or some other reason why they thought they could get someone more suited, but they also considered you suitable. I've had a similar scenario myself where there was radio silence for a while after final interview and I basically just called the recruiter out on it, reading between the lines I knew I must be their backup option because they had neither offered nor rejected me. Alternatively it really could be a simple as they didn't have the budget for your demands but they've subsequently got approval for a better package.

Heh, of course. Think about it, if you had to accept then what happens if just offer you minimum wage?
The reality is you'll probably be asked prior to a formal offer if you are still keen on the role, especially if it is via a recruitment agency. Just make sure you have a proper answer here, don't just say yes for the sake of it if you don't think it's the right thing following the final stage. Given you have already let them know your package demands, it will look a bit silly if you say you are keen on the job, they offer you the package you asked for, and then you reject it. Even then, 'looking silly' isn't the worst thing in the world, you could make a case that your demands have changed compared to three months ago as a result of market conditions / personal circumstance etc, although it might alienate a third party recruiter if there is one involved.

Yeah there is no recruiter involved thankfully as they always get upset if you decline.

I do want to go to final stage and ask few more questions consider I have only had initial chats 3 months back, I think this is fair to understand the job better?

 

[aspiring]

It's clear to me that they wanted someone cheaper, but are now willing to consider you and your compensation expectations, because they can't find a better candidate that's cheaper. If you want the job, go for the interview. If you don't, say so and allow everyone, including yourself, to move on.

This seems 1000% correct as they rang me and said we have realised we cannot find your experience levels at the salary we were offering. Just the comms on it was not very good though.

 

[aspiring]

Why not have that final assessment then and find out if you want the role?

Also, there is nothing stopping you from asking for more if they do make you an offer, if you're unsure or feel silly turning them down then ask for significantly more and see what they say, you can always just let them turn you down... or perhaps if they say yes that additional amount you hadn't thought they'd pay may make the role attractive to you again.



Doesn't sound too promising for future pay rises/progression. Unless the role directly impacts revenue and you can point at clear-cut things you manage to achieve over say the next year. Maybe something worth asking about indirectly, if they've been up front with you re: budget then it seems like a valid thing to raise, what is the scope for progression in that role, where can you be in 5 years' time etc.. it can all be from a positive angle re: the company and your future within it, just making sure that there is scope for you to have a career there.

That is very good advice, much appreciated.

In the initial rounds I spoke to hiring manager and HR separately. I did ask hiring manager about future progression and he hinted it was fluid. This particular role I am in process for is a totally new role.

When I spoke to HR about package, that is where it all slowed down. There was a point where they said we are considering your package, please be patient. Then they went silent till I chased.

 

[aspiring]

Don't over think it - If it's not for you - politely decline and move on.

I was once offered a very good opportunity to build a business from the ground up with great support and huge supply of clients/leads etc - On the surface, fabulous but just one part of it I couldn't sell my soul for (long story won't post it all here) - after a lot of soul searching I declined. However, I sent a personal letter to the Managing Director of the business who "head hunted" me and a nice bottle of whisky as I knew he really wanted me to take it on. 8 years later, I'm on excellent terms with him still personally and professionally......

Don't burn your bridges, but be firm, and don't regret it

They did say to me we have realised we cannot get the level of experience required at salaries quoted when I chased them up for a response. Feel like they were trying to get someone cheaper till then.

Yes I will be polite if I do decline. It is a pain when a recruiter is involved.

 

[aspiring]

Dont make their problem, your problem.

the steps the recruiter takes to convince one to take the role is terrible!

 

[aspiring]

Can be easy if you give them an objective target... and they can't get you that amount in an offer then... "show me the money", anything esle they say to you is pure BS, they either have the offer you want or you've got very good reason to just say "that's fine but I need X, if you want to close this deal then come back to me if they're going to pay X otherwise I'm not interested".

Honestly, if they're pestering you or the recruiter trying to pressure you is liable to cloud your thinking then don't think of them as human beings... think of them as like scummy estate agents who will try and screw you, you've gotta be a little bit adversarial with them.

What is always annoying is the way they try and sell you the dream even after rejection.

I recall having to say no to one recruiter repeatedly!

 

[aspiring]

Had the interview last week. Didn't hear anything till yesterday when company drop me a line saying hope you enjoyed interview, how do you think interview went?

Found out one of my friends who also attended interview got an offer at same time they sent me email.

Why don't they just say I did not get role???

 

[aspiring]

That smells like a veiled question of "Are you still interested in the role in case the other guy turns us down".

If you want the job, then a simple reply of "I enjoyed meeting you and learning about the business. What is the next step and when would it be ?"
If you don't want it, then "Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about your organisation but I intend to pursue other roles."

There's no point writing an essay either way.

yeah I think your right.

Weird thing is they want to arrange a call me with me today to discuss post them sending me than email. I actually can't catch up till next week.

Shall I keep quiet and email at end of week?

 

[aspiring]

I'd ask what the call is about and how long they need ... "so you can have any necessary preparation ready". Whatever they say (unless its to give feedback on why you didn't get the role) ensure you treat it as another interview step.

Scheduling is your decision. If they come back and its something quick, then take it today if at all possible as dowie said, otherwise defer until a better time for you.

I can't do today as I am away with my current employer at a team build.

The email simply said we will discussing further towards end of week (whatever that means) and in meantime would be good to hear your views on how you thought interview went.

I can only see this as buying time incase my friend rejects. If I had offer or they were super keen they would ring me surely?

 

[aspiring]

I'd be polite and email to say you could not take the call today due to work obligations and then ask the question I said earlier: what's it about and how long do they need. From your description their request for a phone call supersedes the "hear your views email" as it came later. Reply to the mail asking for the phone call, not the "we want your views" email.

If you can't talk to them until next week (even out of normal office hours), then say so too. You're not at their beck and call until they're paying you for it.

Thanks the email actually said would be good to hear how you thought it went (via phone) so it was always a phone call they want. They also mentioned in email they are discussing at end of week but obv want to speak on phone before hand.

At same time friend got offer.

 

[aspiring]

That sounds to me like they want to keep you on as a backup in case their first choice person backs out (due to an insufficient offer or otherwise), and they're just trying to delay until they get the yay or nay from your friend.

Yeah I feel exactly same way. I am thinking of replying back at end of week as I am away with work anyway? I am not in a hurry to be kept as 2nd choice

 

[aspiring]

Hmm, it's a bit odd and slightly iffy to waste your time soliciting feedback from you if they've already decided to reject you.

Did you know for sure that the previous interview was the last stage? Or is there a possibility of another stage? (even if your friend got an offer they may still have a role for example).

I'd be inclined to let them know you're away and unable to schedule a call until next week and then directly ask them if this phonecall is to discuss an offer (if you know there is no other stage)?

Like why should they play some guessing game with you, no we're not going to extend an offer but would you mind giving some feedback on the process would be more honest if that is the case.

Yeah the whole thing is strange. They said they were going to debrief at end of week. I have still not had a call. I also don't want to reply to email because I don't like the way they are not being honest with me that someone else has been offered the role. Would much prefer them just giving me feedback transparently.

I am thinking of leaving it and waiting for a call next week?

 

[aspiring]

If they were going to offer I would have assumed they would have rang me considering its been well over a week now.