Changing Your Mind About a Job Offer

Over on the SittingXLegged blog, there is a post about candidates who accept a job and then back out of the offer in order to take another, higher paying position. Rescinding an offer carries significant risk, because by doing so your integrity may be questioned and your reputation damaged.

Sometimes candidates take jobs that they are not completely satisfied with and continue to look in the hopes that something better will come along. A better strategy is to negotiate an offer so the final offer is attractive to you and compelling enough for you to make a serious commitment to the new position. If you are not sure if you want a position because you are simultaneously courting other employers, either continue to negotiate or ask for more time before making your final decision. In the long run, this is a much better strategy than taking a job and then changing your mind.

Get the Job Offer in Writing

Before you sign on the dotted line of an employment contract or offer letter, make sure that every point you worked so hard to negotiate for is documented. Candidates frequently tell me that they were promised something during the negotiation process, but because they didn't have a written record of the agreement, promises were not always honored by employers later on.

If an employer does not give you a formal offer letter, create your own letter to document all the points that were agreed upon including start date, job title, starting salary, time off, signing bonus, and any perks you have negotiated as part of your package. Ask the hiring manager or HR contact to sign your letter and keep it in your employment file. Be leary of employers who are reluctant to put each point of the offer in writing.