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Rediscovering Opportunity: How to Reconsider a Declined Job Offer Successfully was originally published on Ivy Exec.
As you begin your job search journey, you have learned much about the process. Having worked in a mid-level role for six years, you were confident about your ability to secure a senior-level position.
Early in your search, you sought positions at a higher level than your current station while aiming to reach the senior echelon you desired. Surprisingly, one company displayed notable interest, extending invitations for initial and subsequent interviews, ultimately leading to an offer.
Despite the absence of competing offers, you held fast to your belief that a superior opportunity awaited. With tact and courtesy, you conveyed to the hiring manager that the offered position did not align with your career trajectory. Disappointed yet understanding, they accepted your decision.
Time elapsed, bringing forth several interviews but no alternative offers. The realization dawned that your initial refusal might have needed to be more ambitious.
Now, you discover that the same company has reposted the position you once declined. The temptation to re-apply beckons, but uncertainty clouds your judgment. Will the company entertain your application once more?
The answer remains affirmative. Here, we outline the process of re-applying for a previously declined job opportunity.
Initiating a Candid Conversation
Before submitting your renewed application, initiate a candid conversation with your contact within the company.
Address the pivotal question of why you previously declined the offer. While they may not pose this question directly, it’s vital to convey that circumstances in your life have evolved, and you are now open to accepting the position if it were to be offered again.
Embracing Honesty, Even When It’s Uncomfortable
Embrace honesty to gain the hiring manager’s trust and demonstrate your renewed commitment.
Take inspiration from Jared Wellstone’s experience and openly acknowledge your initial overestimation.
“I candidly acknowledged my miscalculations, recognizing the importance of thorough research before yielding to ego,” he recounted.
If aspects such as work conditions or scheduling factored into your initial decision, address them transparently. Determine if these factors remain non-negotiable or have changed since the job’s reposting.
Rekindling Company Relationships
Re-establish connections within the company much as you did during your initial pursuit.
Reach out to your contacts, expressing your renewed interest in their open positions or forthcoming opportunities.
Caroline Ceniza-Levine advises, “Restarting a hiring conversation with a company mirrors rekindling any networking endeavor. Approach it with professionalism, follow up diligently, and confidently express your interest, free from any lingering emotional baggage.”
Mastery of Negotiation
If financial considerations influenced your initial refusal, sharpen your negotiation skills.
Surprisingly, many candidates forego seeking adjustments to their compensation packages, fearing repercussions. However, if salary remains pivotal for you, engage in negotiations confidently. Resources such as Ivy Exec’s comprehensive guide on “Negotiating a Job Offer, Including Compensation and Benefits” offer invaluable insights.
Re-applying for a Declined Opportunity
Revisiting an opportunity once declined isn’t ideal, but circumstances can change.
First, release any lingering guilt or negative emotions regarding your prior decision. If you handled the situation respectfully, the hiring manager should harbor no ill will.
Next, communicate your evolved perspective. If the hiring manager and your company contacts perceive your renewed enthusiasm for the position, they will be more open to considering your application. Don’t assume a guaranteed offer if you receive an interview, but don’t worry about lingering bitterness either. A return invitation is a sign of forgiveness and a willingness to reconsider.
In summary, the path to re-applying for a job opportunity that has previously declined involves transparency, renewed connections, and strategic negotiation. Approach this opportunity with renewed determination, and success may be within your reach.
