How to deal with rejection from a candidate

You’ve shortlisted CVs, interviewed candidates, and chosen ‘the one.’

The only thing left to do is tell the lucky candidate they’ve got the job.

But what if the conversation doesn’t go your way, and the candidate rejects your offer?

It’s not uncommon. After all, some people only apply for jobs to try and get more from their current employer. Others may have several interviews and receive a better offer from another charity.

Either way, you need to handle the situation carefully.

Here are some tips.

1. Be polite

Sure, rejection is frustrating, but if your irritation comes through in your response, it’ll reflect badly on you.

The chances are, the candidate will badmouth you on social media for the world to see.

Your reputation is everything, so keep your communication polite and professional.

2. Ask for feedback

Applicants turn jobs down for many reasons. Maybe your offer wasn’t up to scratch, or the candidate was put off by something you said during the interview. Or they may have spotted some negative reviews about your charity that raised red flags.

Either way, feedback will enable you to adjust your recruitment process to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

3. Revisit your offer

If a great candidate rejects your offer because of the package, revisit it. Candidates hold a lot of power in the current market. And they know it. For that reason, they aren’t afraid to push back.

If you’re convinced they’re the right person for the job, ask them what you can do to make the offer more attractive.

Then revisit your offer.

Are you willing/able to pay more, offer more holiday, or tweak the benefits?

It goes without saying, you’ll need to consult your budget and/or company policies before adjusting the package.

A word of warning: Regardless of how keen you are to have a candidate on board, don’t push them into accepting the role, as it could backfire spectacularly. Think about it. If they reluctantly take the job and leave after three months, you’ll be back at square one.

4. Don’t be disheartened

Just because you offer someone a job, it doesn’t mean they’re going to accept it. It’s not ideal, especially when you’ve put a lot of time and effort into your recruitment process, but remember, it works both ways – you reject candidates too!

Need some help recruiting top-tier fundraisers that are in it for the long haul? Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 to get the process started.