Don't Burn a Bridge, Build it!

You’ve been in the job search for a while now. All of a sudden, you are landing interviews back to back. Then one day, you are surrounded with offers. Oh my! You need to make a decision, but you know that a few companies will be on the losing end of the stick. After careful deliberation, you have made your decision. But should you let the “losing” employers know? Wouldn’t it be easier to just not sign the offer or not pick up the phone when they call?

Your story may not play out this exact way, but you may have been in a situation where you had to make a decision between employers. What is the best way to handle that? The idea is that you want to build bridges and not burn them. You never know, you may find that the job that you accepted wasn’t actually a fit. You may want to later apply for another position with the company that you originally turned down. You may cross paths with the “losing” recruiter…it is a small world after all.

So how can you politely decline an employer and build that bridge? All it takes is a simple call. 

1. Call the employer personally.  Let them know that you are turning down the offer and why.
2. Let the employer know in a timely fashion. That way, the employer can explore a different candidate.
3. Be polite and professional.  Recruiter’s document each encounter with candidates. If you ever apply again, they will be able to reference the past conversations.
4. Offer assistance. If you know someone that is in the career search and would meet the employer’s requirements, refer them to the employer. This could help the employer fill the position since you are now pursuing something different, and you are paying it forward. 

 I know it’s easier said than done, but I promise that you will feel better letting the employer know the direction that you are taking.  Who knows what paths you may take in the future, as you may need to travel on the bridge that you once thought of burning.

If you are looking to build a bridge with Mattress Firm, Inc., please email me at daja.pope@mfrm.com.