Yusra3
VIP Contributor
You hit it off over the phone. The role and compensation discussed seem potentially ideal. You eagerly forward requested resume materials, thinking you’ve made promising contact with a great headhunter. But upon further review, that dream job doesn’t align as hoped. If needing to turn down an eager recruiter, do so diplomatically using these tips:
Thank Them
Even if declining to move forward, remember that a recruiter’s core purpose is aligning candidates to opportunities. Despite ultimate mismatch, give thanks for their time assessing your background and desired fit for the role in question. Gratitude goes far.
Provide Context
Offer polite transparency around what specific aspects of the position prompted your “no.” You needn’t overshare details about better offers elsewhere. But insight like compensation falling under expectations, questionable culture feedback or incorrect geographic location helps the recruiter better understand hesitation.
Keep it Professional
Elaborate refusal explanations aren’t necessary. While building recruiter relationships can pay dividends for future searches, don’t get overly casual or wordy now in an effort to connect. Stay focused, direct and professional when turning down their proposition.
Remain Open-Minded
If you otherwise appreciated the recruiter’s attentiveness and capabilities, communicate eagerness to potentially partner again. Note that you remain very open to receiving details on other opportunities they come across that may be a better match for your abilities and interests.
Turning down an eager recruiter can feel awkward after initial conversations full of possibility. But being transparent about position misalignment coupled with politeness and openness to future partnerships allows gracefully bowing out of one job possibility while keeping doors open.
Thank Them
Even if declining to move forward, remember that a recruiter’s core purpose is aligning candidates to opportunities. Despite ultimate mismatch, give thanks for their time assessing your background and desired fit for the role in question. Gratitude goes far.
Provide Context
Offer polite transparency around what specific aspects of the position prompted your “no.” You needn’t overshare details about better offers elsewhere. But insight like compensation falling under expectations, questionable culture feedback or incorrect geographic location helps the recruiter better understand hesitation.
Keep it Professional
Elaborate refusal explanations aren’t necessary. While building recruiter relationships can pay dividends for future searches, don’t get overly casual or wordy now in an effort to connect. Stay focused, direct and professional when turning down their proposition.
Remain Open-Minded
If you otherwise appreciated the recruiter’s attentiveness and capabilities, communicate eagerness to potentially partner again. Note that you remain very open to receiving details on other opportunities they come across that may be a better match for your abilities and interests.
Turning down an eager recruiter can feel awkward after initial conversations full of possibility. But being transparent about position misalignment coupled with politeness and openness to future partnerships allows gracefully bowing out of one job possibility while keeping doors open.
