Etiquette For Rejecting An Offer Forum

[fingersxd]

Who do I reach out to? The hiring partner, the partner who called me to give me the offer, or the recruitment coordinator?

And what exactly do you say?

[DCDuck]

"Something better came along, suckers! See you when I'm more successful than you!"

[anon168]

Who do I reach out to? The hiring partner, the partner who called me to give me the offer, or the recruitment coordinator?

And what exactly do you say?

Call the hiring partner. Thank him/her for the offer and the terrific opportunity to join the firm for the summer. Say that it was an extremely difficult decision but that you just felt that another firm was a better fit for you and more suitable to your interests. Then thank him/her again.

Follow up with either a call or e-mail to the recruiting coordinator.

[Anonymous User]

Who do I reach out to? The hiring partner, the partner who called me to give me the offer, or the recruitment coordinator?

And what exactly do you say?

Call the hiring partner. Thank him/her for the offer and the terrific opportunity to join the firm for the summer. Say that it was an extremely difficult decision but that you just felt that another firm was a better fit for you and more suitable to your interests. Then thank him/her again.

Follow up with either a call or e-mail to the recruiting coordinator.

I'm going to disagree with this and just say email the recruiting coordinator, unless you have been in continuous contact with a partner (in which case an email or call to the partner will suffice, based on the amount of contact). If all the contact has just been a phone call giving you the offer, just email someone in recruiting. Just like you wouldn't want someone wasting your time with a rejection phone call, neither do busy partners when it's not necessary. All you have to say is "Thank you for your offer but I've decided to go in a different direction." They may ask you where; at that point it's your choice (but I normally told them, because really, what's the harm).

[Loose Seal]

Who do I reach out to? The hiring partner, the partner who called me to give me the offer, or the recruitment coordinator?

And what exactly do you say?

Call the hiring partner. Thank him/her for the offer and the terrific opportunity to join the firm for the summer. Say that it was an extremely difficult decision but that you just felt that another firm was a better fit for you and more suitable to your interests. Then thank him/her again.

Follow up with either a call or e-mail to the recruiting coordinator.

I'm going to disagree with this and just say email the recruiting coordinator, unless you have been in continuous contact with a partner (in which case an email or call to the partner will suffice, based on the amount of contact). If all the contact has just been a phone call giving you the offer, just email someone in recruiting. Just like you wouldn't want someone wasting your time with a rejection phone call, neither do busy partners when it's not necessary. All you have to say is "Thank you for your offer but I've decided to go in a different direction." They may ask you where; at that point it's your choice (but I normally told them, because really, what's the harm).

Agreed. Don't call the hiring partner. Email the recruiter, and if you had a strong connection with the hiring partner then drop him/her an email as well.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Who do I reach out to? The hiring partner, the partner who called me to give me the offer, or the recruitment coordinator?

And what exactly do you say?

Call the hiring partner. Thank him/her for the offer and the terrific opportunity to join the firm for the summer. Say that it was an extremely difficult decision but that you just felt that another firm was a better fit for you and more suitable to your interests. Then thank him/her again.

Follow up with either a call or e-mail to the recruiting coordinator.

I'm going to disagree with this and just say email the recruiting coordinator, unless you have been in continuous contact with a partner (in which case an email or call to the partner will suffice, based on the amount of contact). If all the contact has just been a phone call giving you the offer, just email someone in recruiting. Just like you wouldn't want someone wasting your time with a rejection phone call, neither do busy partners when it's not necessary. All you have to say is "Thank you for your offer but I've decided to go in a different direction." They may ask you where; at that point it's your choice (but I normally told them, because really, what's the harm).

Agreed. Don't call the hiring partner. Email the recruiter, and if you had a strong connection with the hiring partner then drop him/her an email as well.

+1

[Anonymous User]

I have the same question as the OP. Everyone I've talked to said I should call. Email seems easier for all parties, but I also don't want to burn any bridges as I really enjoyed my summer firm.

[IAFG]

I would email the person who extended the offer as well as the recruiting coordinator. If you need to bark up that same tree later down the road, I think you will be glad you did.

[Anonymous User]

I would email the person who extended the offer as well as the recruiting coordinator. If you need to bark up that same tree later down the road, I think you will be glad you did.

Would you suggest calling as well or just do 2 emails?

[IAFG]

I would email the person who extended the offer as well as the recruiting coordinator. If you need to bark up that same tree later down the road, I think you will be glad you did.

Would you suggest calling as well or just do 2 emails?

I would personally email because you don't want to get caught in phone tag to turn someone down. Shit's annoying for all involved.

[Anonymous User]

Take a rejection letter that you got from a different firm. Copy it in an email, except make adjustments as necessary.

Rejection Example: Thanks for interviewing with firm X. While you are an excellent candidate, we are unable to extend to you an invitation for a callback due to the small limited program size. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Your Example: Thanks for interviewing with me. While [YYY] is an excellent firm, I am unable to accept your invitation for a offer due to [whatever reason]. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

[Anonymous User]

Take a rejection letter that you got from a different firm. Copy it in an email, except make adjustments as necessary.

Rejection Example: Thanks for interviewing with firm X. While you are an excellent candidate, we are unable to extend to you an invitation for a callback due to the small limited program size. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Your Example: Thanks for interviewing with me. While [YYY] is an excellent firm, I am unable to accept your invitation for a offer due to [whatever reason]. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

You forgot to add "I'm sure you will have a wonderful and successful career in the law."

[lukertin]

You should take a rejection letter from a law firm and edit it to reflect the change in position, then send that to them.

[Pokemon]

Take a rejection letter that you got from a different firm. Copy it in an email, except make adjustments as necessary.

Rejection Example: Thanks for interviewing with firm X. While you are an excellent candidate, we are unable to extend to you an invitation for a callback due to the small limited program size. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Your Example: Thanks for interviewing with me. While [YYY] is an excellent firm, I am unable to accept your invitation for a offer due to [whatever reason]. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

You forgot to add "I'm sure you will have a wonderful and successful career in the law."

I recommend something like this: A firm with your reputation and expertise will have little difficulty in finding other excellent summer associates.
While flattering them, you also get to brag about being excellent.