Declined job offer

[RangeTesKopeks]

After having two interviews for a job and being offered the job during the second interview a couple of days ago, I felt that I couldn't accept the job.

I emailed the employer to let them know that I couldn't accept it yesterday afternoon. The employer has just emailed back, telling me that I should've let them know that I wouldn't be able to accept the job on the day I was offered the job at the latest, and that I should give them a reason why I feel I can't accept the job.

Who is being U? And how should I reply to them/should I reply?

Thanks.

[JWrecks]

Yikes! Sounds like you made the right choice! Being disingenuous in the job posting, working on your own with just one other person, that person being the king of the castle and, as we can see, quite demanding and possibly unprofessional, no contract ready to even look over, signing (in a hurry and under some pressure) on your first day... You dodged a bullet there!

And yeah, I agree with @yakari - Sounds like it's a tiny company with little experience, so I can kind of forgive them for being a bit disorganised, but I think it's a good thing you didn't take that job!

You really don't owe this guy anything, especially after the posting was misleading (possibly even intentionally) and he emailed you demanding answers like some angry father.

[CoughLaughFart]

It all sounds a bit unprofessional and small-time on their side. To take even the kindest view, this is an inexperienced hiring manager who is stuck in the 'they should be grateful to be offered a job' mindset.

Reply and state that you're sorry things haven't worked out as planned, but that you felt the job offered was not in line with the job advertised. Additionally, you have some concerns about being unable to see your terms of employment before commencing the role.

[Timeywimey8]

I'm not sure I'd give any detail at all actually. I'd probably email back and say:

Thank you for your email. I am sorry that you are disappointed that I have decided not to take the role. On reflection, the role is not the right one for me. I would like to wish you all the best in appointing a person to the role and good luck in the future.

Love and hugs etc (maybe not that bit :) )

[Timeywimey8]

Employers take the mick with employees all the time. I do find it pretty outrageous when they come all high horse with (potential) employees.

If they offered you the role and then a better person came along you can bet they'd find a way to take them on and let you down.

[TheClacksAreDown]

They've got about this rather oddly and thy sound a bit indignant. However there is nothing inherently wrong in asking people why they don't want the job. I've done it when an offer has been declined or someone has pulled out of a process - if you know why there may have been a misunderstanding on their part we can correct, they might need some small flexibility we can offer on hours/benefits/the role or if they find the role unattractive that helps us in understanding how we can recruit better (e.g. Do we have an issue with pay, is the work unattractive) and if th y don't think this role is right for them but we think they are talented we may be able to refer them to colleagues who are also recruiting who may have something more fitting.

[SparklyLeprechaun]

They sound inexperienced at recruiting. You've done nothing wrong, people reject job offers all the time, and a couple of days to make up your mind is not long.

[MrsTrentReznor]

You owe them nothing.

[RavenLG]

Raven, she doesn't say she had accepted it, just that it was offered.

My bad. If you'd asked for time to think OP then they are being complete asses and I wouldn't dignify them with a response.

But, from your follow up posts, it does sound like you've avoided a dodgy place. You're completely within your rights to see a contract before you start and perhaps some well worded feedback would encourage them to fall a bit more in line with decent practice? But then I'm a bitch and if I had have been in your position I would have tore him a new one haha!

[existentialmoment]

I would email and tell them that the pre interview description did not match the actual job spec, and that their email was proof that my decision was correct!

[RangeTesKopeks]

Thanks everyone.

tippz no, I wasn't the only one that they interviewed. They told me that they were also interviewing someone else, but that I was the last person to get interviewed.

I was getting a bit stressed about not having a proper contract to sign. The company owner told me they were away this weekend, so they were preparing to send me a contract today by the latest, but I was worried about the position I would be in if I didn't have a contract on Monday, when starting the job.