When Not To Take A Job Offer

Filed in archive Exit Strategy , Human Resources on June 28, 2010

© Forrest L Norvell

It's a tough job market we have out there. With the number of applicants far exceeding the number of job openings, many feel pressured to take the first job offer that comes along.

However, the job market situation should not press us into taking just about any job offer that comes our way. There are times when we also have to say "No."

Here are a few situations when turning down a job offer may be our best option:

1. When you feel people in the company are not willing to listen to others. The interview process should give you an idea about this. Does the interviewer focus whether you can meet the company standards instead of trying to figure out whether there is good fit between you and the other people working in there? Were you not given an opportunity to ask questions during the interview? Maybe it's time to move on then.

2. When you feel important information is being withheld from you. When you are made an offer, you should be able to ask for the employee handbook or some other document by which your performance and compensation will be evaluated. If this can't be provided to you at once, or if you feel people are trying to stall, then you have to ask yourself what they might be trying to hide from you.

3. If everyone is too busy to talk to you. If you are applying for a purchasing job, you should be able to talk to one or two vendors during the interview process. If there are other people involved in the job process, you should be able to interview with them as well. You have to be able to understand the different aspects of the process you are trying to get yourself into to make an informed decision about taking a job.

4. When you're being asked for proof of your salary history. Your salary history is your personal information. HR people should be able to figure out what the fair market rate for any position in the company if they are really doing their jobs well. Besides your previous salaries have absolutely nothing to do with the job opening. If you're asked for copies of your previous W2's, tell them to take a hike.

5. When you don't feel the people really like you. Each time you land a new job, it should begin with a "honeymoon" stage. If you don't feel loved at the time you are made an offer, chances are you will never feel it at all. Don't go for "take it or leave it" situations at all. The best thing to do is to keep going to interviews until you land an offer that comes with a great welcoming attitude from the company.