Published on Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
SO YOU thought that the worst ordeal in a job hunt was scaling the interviews and landing a job offer. Sorry to say, but there is as further dilemma in store - you also have to carefully evaluate the job offer to reach a momentous decision. And, if you do happen to nix the offer, presenting a courteous refusal is a trying time once again...
But is this really the end of the story? Think again!
What if by an absurd twist of fate, you happen to regret turning it down? Fickle as it may sound, numerous jobseekers actually wish to revisit a job offer they had declined. It could be due to misjudgment, lack of sufficient information, undue pressure, brief decision deadline or simply because they were holding out in the hope of a better offer which failed to materialise. Whatever be the reason, hindsight often causes a volte-face leaving candidates miserably yearning to turn back the clock.
As you endlessly berate yourself over the lost opportunity with, `Why did I say NO?' is it too late to change your mind now? Does a hasty rejection really shut that door forever?
Let's see -
The verdict is...
HR executives, managers and employers concur that the anxiety of job assessment is too much to take and can lead one to wrong choices. And wonder of wonders, they are actually quite open to reconsidering such front-running candidates as long as the position remains unfilled. Phil Timm, director of engineering for Verizon Wireless in New Jersey says, "If they were a good candidate then, then they are one now. I made them an offer once, so I would make it again".
In fact, most hiring executives do not preclude a reasonable change of heart and the acquiescent tolerance stems from coveting the skills and abilities of erstwhile-chosen candidates that fit the bill originally.
However, this is not universal, as some employers categorically refuse to entertain such re-entrants and dismiss them out of hand.
The return journey
Just because a manager whose job offer you turned down is still willing to rely on his first judgment and wants you on board, it does not imply that the job is yours for the taking. You have to cautiously resell yourself to get a second chance as reservations about your indecisiveness are bound to surface.
Instead of dithering over your prospects, make haste and contact the company as soon as possible, lest they settle on another deserving candidate. If the opening is still going, try to reopen discussions on an honest note.
The upfront candour gels well with recruiting executives who would have second-guessed the turnaround anyway.
Do not hesitate to reveal that you are keenly interested in the job. Carefully prepare a deft, sincere and convincing explanation that will put paid to their suspicions.
A top human resource executive offers, "When you are asked why you changed your mind, you might say that you have since learned things about the company that make the opportunity more attractive.
Or, you could say that aspects of the offer are more important to you than you thought originally. Else, I am looking at things differently and would love for you to reconsider our conversation".
At times, a carefully worded, "I was considering other offers at the time, but now realise that this was the best one", works as an acceptable raison d'être too. Alternatively, feed a good line about paucity of time without letting it reflect on your decision-making abilities.
Confirm the rationale by emphasising that you sorely apologise for having let the opportunity slip through your fingers.
However, the management may still be sceptical and unconvinced. So, brace yourself for a gruelling reassessment under the scanner, that too possibly by a higher-ranking executive. Highlight your new perspective to regain the lost faith in your decisiveness as well as suitability for the job over and above other candidates on the table.
Be in earnest this time around and it may just work in your favour leading you to shaking hands over an accepted job offer. At the worst, they may say `no'... nothing to lose really... except perhaps a bit of your ego!
But is this really the end of the story? Think again!
What if by an absurd twist of fate, you happen to regret turning it down? Fickle as it may sound, numerous jobseekers actually wish to revisit a job offer they had declined. It could be due to misjudgment, lack of sufficient information, undue pressure, brief decision deadline or simply because they were holding out in the hope of a better offer which failed to materialise. Whatever be the reason, hindsight often causes a volte-face leaving candidates miserably yearning to turn back the clock.
As you endlessly berate yourself over the lost opportunity with, `Why did I say NO?' is it too late to change your mind now? Does a hasty rejection really shut that door forever?
Let's see -
The verdict is...
HR executives, managers and employers concur that the anxiety of job assessment is too much to take and can lead one to wrong choices. And wonder of wonders, they are actually quite open to reconsidering such front-running candidates as long as the position remains unfilled. Phil Timm, director of engineering for Verizon Wireless in New Jersey says, "If they were a good candidate then, then they are one now. I made them an offer once, so I would make it again".
In fact, most hiring executives do not preclude a reasonable change of heart and the acquiescent tolerance stems from coveting the skills and abilities of erstwhile-chosen candidates that fit the bill originally.
However, this is not universal, as some employers categorically refuse to entertain such re-entrants and dismiss them out of hand.
The return journey
Just because a manager whose job offer you turned down is still willing to rely on his first judgment and wants you on board, it does not imply that the job is yours for the taking. You have to cautiously resell yourself to get a second chance as reservations about your indecisiveness are bound to surface.
Instead of dithering over your prospects, make haste and contact the company as soon as possible, lest they settle on another deserving candidate. If the opening is still going, try to reopen discussions on an honest note.
The upfront candour gels well with recruiting executives who would have second-guessed the turnaround anyway.
Do not hesitate to reveal that you are keenly interested in the job. Carefully prepare a deft, sincere and convincing explanation that will put paid to their suspicions.
A top human resource executive offers, "When you are asked why you changed your mind, you might say that you have since learned things about the company that make the opportunity more attractive.
Or, you could say that aspects of the offer are more important to you than you thought originally. Else, I am looking at things differently and would love for you to reconsider our conversation".
At times, a carefully worded, "I was considering other offers at the time, but now realise that this was the best one", works as an acceptable raison d'être too. Alternatively, feed a good line about paucity of time without letting it reflect on your decision-making abilities.
Confirm the rationale by emphasising that you sorely apologise for having let the opportunity slip through your fingers.
However, the management may still be sceptical and unconvinced. So, brace yourself for a gruelling reassessment under the scanner, that too possibly by a higher-ranking executive. Highlight your new perspective to regain the lost faith in your decisiveness as well as suitability for the job over and above other candidates on the table.
Be in earnest this time around and it may just work in your favour leading you to shaking hands over an accepted job offer. At the worst, they may say `no'... nothing to lose really... except perhaps a bit of your ego!
PAYAL CHANANIA
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