Job seekers often ask about the “right way” to withdraw candidacy from the application process once they’ve already interviewed with a company. It may seem like a stressful conversation to initiate, but if the job truly is not a good fit and you know this early on, it’s important to forgo the rest of the process to pursue more fitting opportunities.
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Here’s the thing: It doesn’t have to be stressful — anyone who’s ever shopped around for jobs knows that some companies won’t be a perfect fit, or the opportunity may not align with your current career path and goals. In these situations its best to keep it simple. You can send a brief but professional email, set up time to speak to the recruiter or if you’ve really built a rapport with the hiring manager, you can inform them directly, by saying something like, “Thank you for the opportunity to interview with you, but at this time I’d like to respectfully withdraw my candidacy.”
That’s it. Short and sweet. You don’t need to give a reason.
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The truth is there may be several reasons why you should withdraw your candidacy. It may not just be one thing or maybe it is, but either way, when withdrawing from the interview process, you don’t need to explain the details beyond that. However, it is important for you to (personally) know your reasons so you can continue to successfully navigate your job search process and accept a position confidently elsewhere. If you’re in a toxic work situation, oftentimes any new position may seem better, but the reality is you may be leaping from one bad environment to another. To avoid doing just that, pay close attention to red flags during job interviews — remember that you’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you. Here are a few red flags that shouldn’t be ignored.
— You get a bad vibe from the hiring manager, team, office environment and culture. This point is loaded with a lot of variables, but if even one of them is off, it could taint your entire experience of working there. Think of it this way — when you spot a tiny red flag during a job interview, instead of shrugging it off, especially if it’s recurring during subsequent job interviews, pause. Ask yourself, “If I’m seeing a red flag now as an outsider, can I imagine what it’s like to work there?”
— The job seems like a dead end. Interviews are an excellent opportunity to pitch yourself and simultaneously learn about an organization and the opportunity. If the opportunity itself seems lackluster, even if it’s at a so-called dream company, it’s OK to withdraw your candidacy. In the past, I’ve had a few candidates who withdrew their candidacy because the opportunity was not a right fit. Because they handled themselves professionally, they ended up getting hired for another position within the organization down the road. When candidates made a positive impression and stayed in touch with me, there were no hard feelings at all. If anything it showed that the candidate was focused on their career and dedicated to finding the right position that perfectly utilized their skill set. Not only that, but it’s better withdrawing from a position than accepting the job, only to realize two months into it that it’s not a fit and you need to start looking again. The same holds true for the hiring team, as they would much rather find an employee they know will be an investment in their team than hire someone who’s going to accept and then leave after being trained — even if the process takes a little longer.
— The salary is too low. If you’re someone who dreads the salary conversation, especially knowing you won’t find out what the position pays until receiving the job offer, consider speaking about it in the beginning by asking for a range. If it’s too low and you’re in a position financially where you can indeed walk away, do it. While you don’t necessarily need to give a reason why you’re declining to continue the process, even before it gets to the job offer stage, you may feel inclined to state you’re withdrawing because the salary is below your expectations. Since it’s a conversation, the recruiter may ask what your expectations are, this way he or she will know precisely what you’re seeking when other positions arise.
— Your gut tells you something’s off, your commute would be a nightmare, there isn’t any flexibility and more. Job searching is a beautiful thing. It gives you the chance to carve out your future. Remember that you don’t need to give a reason, and your reason for withdrawing doesn’t need anyone’s approval but your own. Whether your reason has something to do with the company culture not being a right fit, employees you’ve observed during the interview process not interacting as much as you’d hope to see or the commute being too long and difficult, it really doesn’t matter. If it doesn’t feel right, it isn’t right. This choice is yours to make and you shouldn’t feel guilty doing what’s best for you.
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The whole point of interviewing is to get a job, but more importantly, it’s about getting the job that’s right for you. It should fit with your values, goals, ambitions and lifestyle. Leverage the interview process to see if it does fit; if it doesn’t, it’s more than OK to walk away, leave on good terms and find an employer that’s a much better match.
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Here’s Why You Should Withdraw Your Job Candidacy originally appeared on usnews.com
