Ask for tips on how to decline internal job offer? A cautionary tale

[Augustandeverythingafter1]

I want to leave my company and am actively looking for jobs. There isnt much about so it's going to take while.

I've not interviewed for 10 years so applied for an internal job for practice and to hopefully get a review and hints and tips afterwards. In other words, I applied just to improve my performance for a job I want.

I didnt expect to get the job. I dont want the job. I'd be out of my depth in the job and I dpnt think I could do it. I also really, really dont want to work with the people in the team. But you guessed it. I got the job. I need to decline it.

If it was external, I'd lie and say I'd got a job somewhere else but obviously I cant do that internally.

How can I decline it without pissing ff everyone or looking flakey and unreliable and a time waster? Or at least minimising that. What is a good reason to decline it?

I'm potentially going to be with the company for a while so this matters. I cant just shrug and say "ah well, Im leaving anyway".

Accepting the job isnt an option for the reasons already stated.

I know I'm going to get grief about taking an interview place off someone who wanted it etc. But job hunting is ruthless and about having to take care of yourself. Everyone who applied had as good a chance as me.

Is the job likely to be longer hours or something different to current job as you could just say circumstances have changed for you since the interview. It’s an awkward one for sure

Why do you think you are going to be with the company a while if you're actuvely jobhunting?

Is there anything that would make this job palatable - a bigger pay rise? Flexi hours?

You have 2 choices:

1. Accept the job, learn new skills and make the best of it. Will look good on your cv and be something that will stand out in interviews. As opposed to having done same job for years without promotion etc.
2. Decline saying on reflection you don’t think you’d be able to the job as you’ve realised it’s well outside of your skillset /ability.

Nithing major has changed, just more money and more responsibility.

Maybe I could just be vague and say that circumstances have changed and it's not the right time for me to take on training etc? And just be vague.

Hmmm. That might be an option. Thank you.

I think maybe saying circumstances changed is a good one.

Even if not longer hours, you could say it’s not the best time to be starting something new etc

Lots of competition at my level and I'm not interested in jumping lots of grades.

The job has more money but that wont make me able to do the job or want to work with the (horrible!) team.

I'd go with a vague 'change of circumstances' reason.

Chances are you'd take it on and find your perfect job elsewhere and, while you don't owe the company anything, it would be a bit mean to take on this new role and then (hopefully) leave shortly after.

I've done different jobs within the last 10 years including taking on more responsibility, doing new tasks, changing roles etc. I've not been static. I've just never had to interview for them.