Job-Hunting in the City: How to Take Back Your 'Yes' to an Offer

(SPOT.ph) Barely two weeks left before leaving his current job for a new one in Ortigas, market researcher Ron received a more enticing offer from his dream employer since college. This put him in a quandry: how to take back his "yes" from the company that wanted to hire him first without burning bridges.

It would have been an easy choice for the 25-year-old had the second offer came first. The company is in Makati and nearer to his condo, and the role is more promising in terms of salary, benefits, and other perks.

“Ang hirap kasi I’m thinking of taking back my acceptance of the offer from the Ortigas company. It’s a good offer, but I know I’ll flourish more if I choose the job in Makati,” he said.

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Getting more than one job offer is always possible as applicants try out in many companies. If you need to withdraw from a job offer in favor of a better one, do it in a professional manner so that your hiring manager will understand why you had to make that decision, a human resources manager said.

“When you have a job offer na better than the previous one that you have already signed up for, sabihan mo agad sa nag-hire sayo,” human resources consultant Rhonadale Florentino told SPOT.ph.

“It’s okay to commit to whatever it is that you have signed up for, but you need to make sure that you make the right commitment,” she added.

How to withdraw from a job offer you just accepted

As in other decisions you need to make affecting your career, professionalism is always the key. If you’ve decided that it’s better to step back from a job offer and accept another that is more favorable, here’s how you can do it, according to Florentino.

Don’t do it via text

Ending a relationship, be it romantic or professional, through a text message is never acceptable. Withdrawing a job offer through text shows lack of respect for the time and effort that the hiring manager and the company put in during the application process, Florentino said.

“Instead, send a formal email and thank the HR, thank the person who did the interview and everything for giving you a chance, and let them know that unfortunately, a better offer came along,” she added.

Do it right away

Don’t delay sending a regrets email to your hiring manager. As soon as you decided to take the other job offer, inform your hiring manager right away so that they can find a replacement, Florentino said.

“Kung a week prior to the start date, wala naman sigurong problema. Pero yung tipong two or three days na lang, you might want to let go of it na kasi masyado nang maiksi,” she said.

Be apologetic

When you decide to not push through with a job offer, understand that your hiring manager could be excited as well as that you are joining their team. Make sure to apologize for making your decision and let them know that you appreciate their offer when you send your email, Florentino said.

“You have to be apologetic kasi at the end of the day, nasayang din yung oras ng mga nag-interview. Let them kung ano talaga yung reason, and then thank them for the time they have spent,” she added.

Keep in touch

It’s also a good practice to build a professional relationship with the hiring manager even if you decided to take another job offer. This way, the hiring manager can help you in your career if ever you come across with each other in the future, Florentino said.

“Let them know na 'I hope you don't mind, I've added you up in LinkedIn, I'll keep in touch with you if ever you have future openings,’” she added.

Refer someone else

Hiring managers will also appreciate it if you refer a friend or colleague that you think is also capable of performing the functions of the role you will step back from. This will help the company find a replacement right away, Florentino said.

“If you have referrals, let them know that you can help them find someone who can replace you,” she added.

To withdraw from job offers you just accepted will not ruin your credibility among hiring managers in your chosen field, as long as you do it professionally.

“It's a personal choice. The thing that you have to consider is if it's something that would really contribute sa growth at sa personal happiness mo,” Florentino said.

“It's not something you should be afraid of as long as you are professional. And the HR and the hiring manager will thank you for that,” she added.

Rhonadale Florentino is a human resources consultant and strategist who serves as CEO and President of UpRush Social Geekers, an HR consultancy company. Access their services here.