How to Turn Down A Job Offer Gracefully in Malaysia
Ghosting the employers is definitely not the way to go. These tips will help you decline the job offers respectfully without burning any bridges.
By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:12 AM
Updated on 2024-04-16 at 6:46 AM
Politely Declining a Job Offer in Malaysia
It’s flattering to receive a job offer, especially after going through the trouble of researching and attending interviews. But the job seeking journey is rarely ever straightforward.
Sometimes in the midst of your research and interviews, you might find out that the company culture isn’t the right fit for you. Maybe you’re in a position where you find an offer with better compensation. Or maybe you just aren’t able to relocate for the job.
Whatever your reasons may be, they are completely valid.
Understanding the Importance of Grace
Firstly, recognising the importance of the manner in which you turn down a job offer cannot be overstated. In Malaysia, where professional relationships often intertwine with mutual respect and courtesy, declining a job offer in Malaysia with grace ensures you preserve these relationships for the future.
When you've made the difficult decision to decline a job offer, communicating your decision directly and respectfully is key. It's important to say no to a job offer in a way that is considerate and thankful for the opportunity. A direct approach, while may seem daunting, prevents any misunderstanding and is much appreciated.
Here’s how to decline job offers respectfully without burning any bridges between you and the employer:
1. Don’t leave them hanging
A surefire way to leave a bad impression is to simply ignore the job offer. A polite way to decline a job offer involves prompt communication. Letting the employer know of your decision as soon as you've made it allows them to continue their search for a suitable candidate without undue delay. Express gratitude for the offer and the time they have invested in you. It's courteous and reflects well on your professional demeanor.
We’ve all received an anxiety-inducing message that we put off until it’s too late to respond to. Take control of the situation now so you don’t end up in their “Do Not Hire” list later on.
Any employer is a future employer whether or not you choose to proceed with them at this time.
2. Be honest
If you’re declining the job offer because of compensation, location, or unaligned values, it’s completely fine to make it known – but do it respectfully. If situations change in the future, at the very least they’ll know what you’re looking for.
If they have another open position in the future that fits the bill and they like you enough, they can always reach out to you again.
3. Show your gratitude
Saying ‘No’ to someone doesn’t always feel great – being told ‘No’ on the other hand isn’t any better. So show your gratitude for the hiring manager’s time and effort on you.
Leave on a positive note by mentioning how you enjoyed the conversation you’ve had with them at interviews and the learning experience it taught you.
4. Leave the door open and stay connected
The world is small and every employer is a potential future employer or colleague. Let them know that you are open to working with them in the future should the situation arise.
You could even suggest connecting with the hiring manager or recruiter on LinkedIn to stay in touch!
When you choose to send a job rejection letter or an email, the content can follow a similar structure. Here is an example of a message you could send to the hiring manager:
“Hi [hiring manager],
Thank you for considering me for this position. I have to let you know that I have accepted another offer that I feel better fits me at this point in my career.
I am grateful for the conversation we had during the interview and learned a lot from the experience.
I look forward to staying in touch with you on LinkedIn.
Thanks again and all the best!”
Utilising a job rejection letter template can be incredibly helpful. The template provided above can easily be adapted for this purpose, ensuring that your message remains clear, polite, and respectful.
Of course, it’s a lot more gracious and personable to inform the employer over a phone call.
Turning down a job offer in Malaysia gracefully underscores your professionalism and respect for the opportunity provided to you. It's about making a difficult decision and communicating it in a manner that maintains relationships and leaves a positive impression. By following these guidelines and using the provided sample as a template, you can navigate the delicate process of declining a job offer with confidence and tact.
If you’re still considering that job offer and feel you can negotiate for better compensation, we show you how in this article.
Finding a workplace with a culture that works for you may not be easy, but did you know that there are signs you can look for to find out?
By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:12 AM