Take time to consider your options
Keep prospective employers informed
When declining, do so promptly and tactfully
The beginning of a new year is a busy period in the job market, meaning candidates may find themselves managing multiple offers at once.
It’s a good problem to have of course, but one that needs to be navigated well to ensure you choose the role that’s best for your career, as well as maintaining professionalism with companies you decline.
The Australian defence industry is rather close knit, with overlapping relationships, so it’s important you don’t jeopardise future career opportunities by mishandling the job offers you turn down.
Making your decision
When you receive more than one job offer, it’s imperative you take the time to consider each one, comparing the pros and cons of each role.
Consider the specifics of the role and offer - in terms of company culture, size and future direction, day to day duties, wage, your new manager, benefits, flexibility and professional development opportunities. You also want to consider if the offer propels you towards your longer term career goals.
During this process, it’s important you keep potential employers or recruiters informed, letting them know you need time to consider their offer.
Honesty is the best policy. As long as careful communication is used to avoid prospective employers believing you are pitting one against another, it is OK to inform them that you have multiple offers. Clear communication is vital, especially with regards to timeframes, so organisations are able to plan effectively and wait for your response, if needed.
As you're considering your options, you may want to request extra information from your prospective employers. Factors such as super contributions, bonuses, equity options and flexible working hours may impact your decision.
A timely email or phone call to the job contact is the best way to request the information, ensuring you leave them enough time to chase up the relevant information before your decision needs to be made.
Choosing between multiple job offers can be stressful, so once you have the information to hand, take the time to focus on the decision. It can be helpful to create a list of pros and cons for each role. Speaking to a trusted family member, friend, associate or even career coach can also help clarify your thinking as you assess your options.
Declining a job offer
Once you’ve made your decision, inform your chosen employer as soon as possible. We advise you to wait until you have received a written offer before you let others know as verbal offers are not official.
Informing the company whose offer you have chosen to decline should be done as soon as possible. This allows recruiters and hiring managers for an unsuccessful company to move forward with other suitable candidates or contingency plans.
Depending on the nature of the application, it’s worth considering whether to turn down the job offer via phone or email. Turning down the offer with a nicely written email can be fine, but if you formed a good relationship with the hiring manager or recruiter through the process, a phone call may be a better option.
A phone call is more personal and helps solidify the relationship, showing you appreciate the time and resources the company took interviewing and considering you for the role. It may also offer you the opportunity to provide your reasons for declining the offer, which in turn can help the company with their on-going hiring process. You’ll want to be constructive with the information you provide and do so in a tactful manner.
Once you’ve made your decision, stick with. Accepting and then retracting an offer when you get a better offer damages your reputation with the company and everyone involved in the recruitment process.
The Australian defence industry is set for significant growth in the coming years, with the Federal Government ramping up funding and the nation’s military capabilities. As a result, it’s an opportune time to consider your career options in the burgeoning defence industry, as we enter the next chapter in our nation’s development.
Are you ready to make your next move? Take a look at our website for the latest defence industry roles or call our consultants today.
Photo by Raquel Martínez on Unsplash
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