# How do I turn down a job offer I don't want? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802 "2003-09-15T20:30:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/1 "2003-09-15T20:30:20Z")
Without letting them know that I was just using them as interview-practice? (It was a great interview, too - they asked all the hard, touchy-feely questions - I feel primed for real interviews now after going to this one where I had no intention of taking the job.) ps - All’s fair in love, war, and employment. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/2 "2003-09-15T20:37:21Z")
Say something along the lines of “Upon further reflection, I don’t think this would be a good fit at this time.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/3 "2003-09-15T20:39:39Z")
Tell them you took another position just before hearing from them, but thanks for the time and consideration. Tell them your personal situation has changed and you won’t be in the job market for an indefinite time to come. Tell them the truth, in which case you probably won’t be hired by them ever in the future, but won’t compromise your integrity. Take the job. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/4 "2003-09-15T22:06:09Z")
Thank them sincerely for the offer (by phone conversation, not email or letter), and say that you’ve chosen to pursue another opportunity. “This is **featherlou** , and I wanted to call because I’ve received your offer letter (or picked up your message, whatever). Thank you so much for the offer. I really appreciate your taking the time to talk with me. I wanted to let you know in person that I’ve decided to pursue another opportunity. Thank you very much for your consideration for the position, and I know you’ll find the right candidate.” Short and sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/5 "2003-09-15T22:19:03Z")
Ask them to double the salary they offered. If they agree, tell them you’ll also need a personal masseuse. If they agree to that, take the job. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/6 "2003-09-15T22:50:30Z")
So, just not returning their calls is out? 😃 (Not like they don’t do that to _us_ all the time!) I like the way you think, **Giraffe**. Maybe I’ll try that. What have I got to lose? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/7 "2003-09-15T23:17:10Z")
Simply say that you’ve decided to go elsewhere. This is true, even if you don’t have another offer yet. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/8 "2003-09-16T13:31:34Z")
Insult their mothers. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/9 "2003-09-16T17:20:35Z")
Their mother’s what? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/10 "2003-09-16T17:54:34Z")
1. Figure out how much money you would have to get in order to make such a job appealing. 2. Ask for that. 3A. Get the job, or 3B. Don’t get the job. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/11 "2003-09-16T17:55:51Z")
Nothing beats the sound of hands slapping your bare, hairy ass! 😃 * * * Oh, why bother? ---
**Author:** ![DreadCthulhu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DreadCthulhu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadCthulhu)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/12 "2003-09-16T18:58:57Z")
Napalm. Lots and lots of Napalm. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-down-a-job-offer-i-dont-want/201802/13 "2003-09-16T20:42:02Z")
Well, I called them and told them I was going in a different direction; they sounded very disappointed. I don’t think I’ll do this again; I feel a little guilty for misleading them, no matter how badly employers have treated me in the past.