Declining an offer that I previously accepted

Hello Everyone,

I'm very thankful for all the advice I have gotten from this community, and after a long recruiting season finished with multiple job offers. I accepted my first offer with the intention of withdrawing if I got a better one, and this is exactly what has happened.

What do I say to the first company, now that I am changing my mind and will not be working for them upon graduation? Also, is a phone call preferred or will an email suffice?

Thanks again. I'm looking to send the email today/ tonight at the latest.

24 Comments
 

I have never reneged but I would suggest calling. First - no paper trail. I doubt the firm will spread it around you reneged, but verbal guarantees you won't have to worry about it going somewhere.

Second, I feel like if you're going to renege, an email seems dismissive and cowardly. Well, bridges will burn either way, but I would personally hate someone less if they had the decency to call and give a verbal explanation.

 

Yeah ignore what Eurodealer said. I would call and say that I found a better fit at another firm. I felt honored to have been given an offer from you guys. blah blah blah play it up like it was the hardest decision of your life.

 

First, take some time to think it through. It's a year and a half so I wouldn't take 16 months, but spend another month thinking about it and be sure of your choice before you decide. If you let them know in advance, and you give them enough time to find someone else you shouldn't worry about it. They may be upset or slightly annoyed, but it's far out. This can't be the first time it's happened and I highly doubt it will be the last.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers
 

It's rude and your burning bridges but it may be worth the risk if its a big difference. Don't worry about if its rude, they wouldn't worry about you.

Because when you're in a room full of smart people, smart suddenly doesn't matter—interesting is what matters.
 

Of course itd be rude. However, I can tell you for a fact that no financial institution cares about the individual, so you shouldnt care about them either.

“...all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Schopenhauer
 
seabirdOf course itd be rude. However, I can tell you for a fact that no financial institution cares about the individual, so you shouldnt care about them either.

This.

[quote=patternfinder]Of course, I would just buy in scales. [/quote] See my WSO Blog | my AMA
 

Agree that you don't really have a choice here. If you end up alienating career services, that's a risk you'll have to take. Having a job is better than having access to OCR.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

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