Declining a job offer after you have accepted is a difficult thing to do. But there are ways to do this without seeming rude or non-professional.
At times, there are some uncontrollable factors that may make you decline a job offer even though it is a dream job that you have finally acquired after years of struggling.
If such an event does occur, you need to practice tact when declining the offer.
Remember that an employer has chosen you for a position and would have stopped looking for another candidate after your acceptance.
This puts him in an awkward position if you decline his offer.
However, you can do the polite thing and send a professionally written letter, explaining why it was necessary for you to decline the offer after you had initially accepted it.
Related: Decline a Job Offer Without Burning Bridges
Take a look at the following sample that will give you an idea of how you can do this.
Sample Letter to Decline Job Offer after Accepting
Emma Watson
622 White Street
Roseville, CA 30897
(000) 909-6765
emma @ email . com
March 1, 2021
Mr. Phillip Hoffman
Manager Human Resources
Sears Holdings
4441 Berry Street
Roseville, CA 34901
Dear Mr. Hoffman:
It is with great regret that I decline the job offer you made to me for the position of Secretary at Sears Holdings earlier this week. I understand that it is perhaps not easy to send regrets after accepting it initially but certain circumstances which have prevailed during the last two days leave me no choice.
My daughter faced an accident on her way to Roseville two days ago and is in critical condition in the Roseville Trauma Center. For this reason, I have to be at her side continuously and will not be able to join work full time at this point.
Working for Sears Holdings has been a dream for me and it is quite unfortunate that I am declining your job offer. On the other hand, my personal circumstances do not permit me to take up this position so I take solace in the fact that it is probably for the best. I understand that this decision might put you in an uncomfortable position since you will have to look for someone to hire at this late hour. I have been looking around so I can make a recommendation for someone to replace me and will provide a reference very soon.
I apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused you and will do my best to make amends. Thank you for understanding my predicament at this sensitive time.
Regards,
(Sign Here)
Emma Watson