By Kathleen Furore
I recently spoke with someone who turned down one job offer with a company he greatly respects in favor of another job that will help him expand his skill set and ultimately enhance his resume. Now he’s wondering if he has any chance of being hired by the first company at some point in the future if there is a new opening for which he qualifies.
The answer is yes, according to Tiffani Murray, owner of Personality On a Page resume and career consulting services and director of people services/HR for a national furniture retailer.
“I can speak as a former hiring manager, a career consultant and a former applicant on this topic,” Murray says. “Personally, I have declined an offer, only to be called back three months later about the opportunity. They had upgraded the position and it was more aligned with my career goals.”
Her advice is to never assume saying “no” permanently closes doors.
“Turning down a job offer is never something anyone takes lightly, and organizations know that. If you have valid reasons and express those at the time you turn the offer down, a well-functioning HR department and hiring manager won’t use that against you,” she explains.
There are many reasons to turn down a job for an opportunity that seemed a better fit. And whether it had to do with growth potential, salary structure, level within the organization or location, Murray says she always tells her resume clients to keep in touch with the recruiting team and/or hiring manager.
“If a few years later, you see a role that is aligned with where you are at the time, reach out,” she says. “I don’t think there is a crystal ball for this scenario; but keep in mind that while you were at another job, things changed in that company also. There may have been growth, changes in leadership, compensation evaluations, restructures, etc., that just make it a better alignment for both you and the employer. Never be afraid to throw your hat back in the ring!”
Kathleen Furore is a Chicago-based writer and editor who has covered personal finance and other business-related topics for a variety of trade and consumer publications. You can email her your career questions at kfurore@yahoo.com.
The Ten Best New Year’s Resolutions For Your Career
Progress is incremental, so start small and build on what you achieve as you improve yourself and your quality of work over the course of the year.
Why the Holidays May Be the Best Time to Jump Start a Career Change
If you have been considering a career change, the holiday season might be the best time to get started. Here’s why.
Keeping Employees Motivated During the Holidays
The holidays can be stressful but if you follow very closely you will help motivate your employees this holiday season.
6 IRL Networking Tips for Introverts
Here are six strategies that make attending in-person networking events easier for even the most introverted of people.
Do these 3 simple things, and you are on your way to a successful career!
Author: John Krieg 1. Don't make excuses. EVER. Although in the short term they make you feel better, all they do is hold you back. When you recognize excuses are the root of all failure, you can quickly push yourself to achieve your goals and lead a more honest,...
How To Identify And Prevent Employee Burnout
According to Gallup research, before the pandemic, 76% of workers reported feeling burned out sometimes, while 28% of workers said they were burned out “very often” or “always” at work.
Employee Retention During the Great Resignation
From the start, make sure you teach new employees not only about the job, but also about the company culture and how they can contribute to and thrive in it.
Use this easy checklist to make sure your social media is employer-friendly
Your social profiles are an added resource that employers can reference when hiring and even serve as an extension to your resume.
12 Ways to Really Impress Your Boss
Believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to impress your boss without looking like a brown-nose in front of your co-workers (because nobody likes “that guy”).
Maintaining Your Charge – Work-Life Balance
Creating a healthy work-life balance is a real struggle for many HTM professionals, and a linear approach to balance won’t get you far in modern health care.
