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Receiving an offer for a job can feel exciting and rewarding, especially in a competitive job market. For the best outcome, your student should take time to consider whether the position is right for their future. They may decide to accept the position even if the job doesn’t match their main interests or goals; however, they may regret the decision if a better opportunity comes along.Ìý

Reneging on a job offer can negatively impact your student, the employer and CU Boulder. To avoid this situation, consider these recommendations fromÌýCareer Services.

Investigate during the interview process

The interview process is a time for your student to make a good impression on a potential employer and an opportunity to learn more about the company or organization. They can use the interview to ask questions that help them understand the position and learn about the culture.

Before the interview, they can think about what they value in a workplace and job. Do they value a flexible schedule, prefer to work with a team or want autonomy at work? Other things to consider are the salary range and opportunities for advancement.

They can use their values as the foundation for the questions to ask during the interview or when they receive a job offer. If a position or organization doesn’t align with their values or goals, they may not want to accept the offer, especially in the early stages of the job search. Career Services can help students come up with questions to ask based on their job and workplace values.

Best practices after receiving a job offer

Receiving a job offer is exciting and rewarding. But the excitement doesn’t need to rush your student's decision. When they receive an offer, they should ask about the timeframe for their response. Employers typically give students one to two weeks to decide on a job offer.Ìý

They should thank the person making the offer for the opportunity and let them know when they plan to get back to them with an answer. Then, your student can mark their calendar and follow up with a response by the deadline or time they agreed to reply.

This is the time for your student to consider any additional information they need to help them make a decision. For example, where are they in the job search process with other employers? And do they want to work in the position and for the organization?

If there is another position they’re also interviewing for and are more interested in, they can contact the recruiter or hiring manager and ask about their timeline. If the timelines do not align, your student may want to ask for a deadline extension from the company that gave them the offer. They do not need to share why they are asking for more time. Instead, they can ask if there is any flexibility with the original deadline. The organization may or may not provide additional time.

Depending on the time of year and the situation, turning down a job offer may be the right decision for your student.Ìý

After accepting a position

After your student accepts a position and signs the offer, they should discontinue their job search. They may want to contact any other companies where they applied to withdraw their candidacy. If your student hears of exciting opportunities, they can keep track of the organizations and positions of interest and identify potential people they could network with in the future.

Remember that recruiters and hiring managers within an industry are well-connected. Reneging a job offer could potentially harm your student’s professional reputation resulting in limited opportunities for themself and other students in the future.

What your student can do if they change their mind

Your student may have personal circumstances that arise that require them to walk away after accepting a position. If this occurs, they should communicate early with the recruiter or hiring manager. They can share that while they are very appreciative of the offer and had every intention to start the position, unfortunately, due to a personal circumstance, they can no longer work in that position.

Your student can determine ahead of time what they feel comfortable sharing. Sometimes more details are helpful. But overall, their circumstances are their business. They have no obligation to provide more information than they feel comfortable with.

We recommend communicating in the format most frequently used by the recruiter or hiring manager. For example, your student can email the organization if they communicated primarily through email. However, if the organization called to schedule the interview and make the offer, we recommend calling them.

Your student may also receive a new offer for a different job that they previously applied to before they committed to the first organization. If the new offer is for a more desirable job that aligns better with their career goals, they must decide how to move forward.

While it is better to maintain their original commitment, they can renege on the initial offer and accept the new position. We recommend students extend their appreciation to the original employer for the opportunity and acknowledge that they understand this creates a challenge for the employer. They can explain that they received an offer for a different position that better aligns with their goals.

Navigating the job search process

It takes time to understand the job search process. The process can feel intimidating, from submitting a resume to accepting an offer. But students don’t have to manage it alone. Career Services is here to help guide students and connect them to resources.Ìý

If your student needs support or guidance navigating job offers, they canÌýschedule an express appointment or pop in for virtual office hours. We can discuss their questions and offer strategies to help them decide.