4 Common Reasons Candidates Decline Job Offers

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There are a variety of reasons why candidates decline job offers. This article touches on four of the most common reasons.

SALARY AND TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Many times employers make an offer thinking that a reasonable increase in base salary is enough to attract an individual. While this is probably the most important component of an offer, it is not the only component and not the only one that a candidate looks at. There are many reasons to decline a job offer. Candidates look at an increase in base salary as a good starting point and a vote of confidence that an employer places value in them. They also look at bonus or incentive potential for additional earnings as well as benefits to include the traditional things such as medical, eye, dental, disability, life insurance, 401K, and vacation. Most candidates do not decline job offer due to salary alone but because the total package is a lateral move or step back when they take into account benefit premiums or co-pays that they might have to assume with a new employer. So employers and candidates must be on the same page when evaluating an offer. Sample Offer Letter (https://htwonational.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/OFFER_LETTER_SAMPLE.pdf)

COMPETITIVE OFFERS

Offers that are not competitive are also good reasons to decline a job offer. Many employers hope that they can attract an individual with a small increase with a pitch that responsibility and growth could be better with their organization. In most instances, candidates do not bite on this carrot and look for increases that are at or above the average increases in today’s talent market. Prior to the pandemic, a normal base salary increase may have been 5%-10%. Now post-pandemic, candidates are looking for increases in the 10%-20% range, and they are getting them.

MULTIPLE OFFERS AND COUNTEROFFERS

Then there is the situation that many employers must face, a candidate who receives multiple offers and/or a counteroffer. While a job offer might be good and competitive in their eyes, it misses the mark of being strong enough to attract or compete against other offers and employers who are willing to fight for strong candidates and go above the market rate for talent. The best reason to decline a job offer is that a candidate received a better one. Employers must put their best foot forward when drafting an offer with the thinking that they may not be the only bidder for a candidate.

FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS

And last but not least, another one of the personal reasons to decline a job offer is the workplace format. One of the first questions that candidates ask these days is – “Is the job in-office, hybrid, or virtual?” Again, post-pandemic times have generated new workforce thinking. Sometimes, it is a personal desire of the candidate to have a flexible workplace format, because they believe that they can be just as effective in a hybrid or virtual setup as in the office. Others have valid personal reasons for a hybrid or virtual setup such as a need to be available because they are a caregiver for a family member or need flexibility because of childcare needs.

H TWO NATIONAL IS SENSITIVE TO EMPLOYER’S CHALLENGES

Regardless of the reasons for candidates declining job offers today, employers must be competitive and flexible to attract top talent to staff their organizations and put themselves ahead of the competition.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOB OFFER BEST PRACTICES

Related Article – Why Candidates Are Turning Down Your Job Offers (https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccaskilbeck/2019/05/19/why-your-job-offers-are-being-rejected/?sh=12e0091458c4)

Related Article – Evaluating Offers and Communicating with Employers (https://hls.harvard.edu/bernard-koteen-office-of-public-interest-advising/opia-job-search-toolkit/evaluating-offers-and-communicating-with-employers/)

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