Don’t Burn your Bridges

Many of us have been in a situation where we changed our mind about a job offer. As recruiters, we understand that this happens! However, there has to be a professional manner in which this is done. Keep your consultant updated. Be straightforward and open during the entire recruitment. If you have other offers in the pipeline, be upfront and let us know where your priorities lie. If our role isn’t your preferred one, tell us. We won’t be offended.

What are your hesitations? Don’t be afraid to be honest and advise us that for example, the salary on offer is lower than other job opportunities you are considering. What if you decide you do not want to work there anymore after accepting and prior to commencing?

Again, I would just like to let you know that this happens and recruiters understand, as long as you communicate with us. The best approach to this situation is honesty.

Call your consultant immediately when you have changed your mind or your situation has changed. We do understand that life can get in the way of you commencing a new job. If it’s after hours, call their mobile or leave a voicemail and follow up with an email explanation.

Please DO NOT disappear off the face of the Earth. We understand that you may be embarrassed or not confident in making contact, but the fact is you must let us know. We can understand and empathise with you during your change of mind or situation, if you help us to understand. What you may not realise is that your consultant is working with the hiring manager, to help them find the best candidate. Along the way, your consultant has promoted you and your skill set to the hiring manager, perhaps even valuing your reliability and trustworthiness. If you don’t arrive on the first day of work with no call, no explanation and no apology, we get worried. After your recruitment consultant has spent the day unable to reach you and getting a bit worried (falling just short of calling various emergency departments), you then send a text in the afternoon advising that you have accepted another role.

A role of which you had not made anyone aware, even when specifically asked. Let’s go back to my first conversation with the hiring manager where they were told of your reliability and honesty….uh oh. Now the hiring manager becomes sceptical of not only me, but other candidates too! So if you do find yourself in this type of situation, please think of the ’long game’ and don’t’ burn your bridges. You never know when you may meet up with that hiring manager or be interested in working for that organisation again!