How to turn down an offer Forum

[Anonymous User]

Is an email okay or do you need to do it on the phone? Also, what do you say?

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

You should call. Say, "thank you so much, I'm really honored to have been extended an offer, but I've decided to go with another firm. I'd love to keep in touch (optional)." They will probably ask you which firm you decided to go with. Then they'll wish you well.

Probably best to call the partner who extended you the offer (unless you haven't talked to them in a while, then email might be ok), then call the recruiter.

It's a small world. Leave a good impression.

[Big Shrimpin]

Objection: asked and answered.

[Anonymous User]

Objection: asked and answered.

Why should you call? I emailed, and got a really nice email reply. The advice to call is circa 1950, when phones were faster than post-mail. Now that we have e-mail, an e-mail is far more courteous and appreciated by a busy partner or recruiter. #TeamDon'tCall

[floggered]

Why should you call? I emailed, and got a really nice email reply. The advice to call is circa 1950, when phones were faster than post-mail. Now that we have e-mail, an e-mail is far more courteous and appreciated by a busy partner or recruiter. #TeamDon'tCall

E-mail is certainly more convenient, but is it more courteous? I highly doubt it. The internet is much more anonymous and impersonal, don't you agree Anonymous User? Besides, you're going to have to learn to use the phone (and your words) at some point to deliver not good news, why not start now?

That said, e-mail is fine unless there was a particular partner/recruiter with whom you had a great connection.

[Anonymous User]

I also got the impression that they generally prefer emails. Partners are busy people and recruiting folks these days are just swamped with student phone calls. Also don't think there's anything impolite about emailing when most business correspondence is done via email

[Anonymous User]

What if you don't yet know which firm you are accepting (for example, if you're turning someone down to avoid running afoul of the "No more than 5 open offers" NALP rule)? I think this would make the call more awkward, but am still thinking I should call. Thoughts?

[ResIpsa21]

What if you don't yet know which firm you are accepting (for example, if you're turning someone down to avoid running afoul of the "No more than 5 open offers" NALP rule)? I think this would make the call more awkward, but am still thinking I should call. Thoughts?

Awkward, sure, but dude, if you have more than five open offers, you really shouldn't be bothered by a little bit of awkwardness. Soldier through it, and then pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate your success.

No idea what you say to "so, what firm did you choose?", but that's a problem of riches, to be sure.

[Anonymous User]

I'd suggest, if you've really made up your mind to turn a firm down but haven't actually accepted another one yet, contacting recruiting to turn the offer down first, and then contacting the partner. Otherwise, the partner will likely try very hard to persuade you otherwise, name a bunch of other people you should talk to, put you in contact with other ppl, etc. This is fine if you're still unsure, but if you've made it your mind, then it's awkward.

Obviously if you have already accepted another firm, then it doesn't matter as much.

[ruski]

I'd suggest, if you've really made up your mind to turn a firm down but haven't actually accepted another one yet, contacting recruiting to turn the offer down first, and then contacting the partner. Otherwise, the partner will likely try very hard to persuade you otherwise, name a bunch of other people you should talk to, put you in contact with other ppl, etc.

this will not happen. no self-respecting partner is gonna beg an SA to give his firm a second shot. the conversation lasts all of 10 seconds. you say hi, explain you will not be accepting, partner will say where to, adding something to the effect that he is disappointed but still wishes you luck. that is all. no need to be afraid.

[Anonymous User]

I also got the impression that they generally prefer emails. Partners are busy people and recruiting folks these days are just swamped with student phone calls. Also don't think there's anything impolite about emailing when most business correspondence is done via email

Or maybe you are just scared of calling and rejecting them. I think phone calls are much more courteous and leave a better impression (assuming this is someone you've talked to in the last couple of weeks or who called to extend the offer.)

[Anonymous User]

What if you don't yet know which firm you are accepting (for example, if you're turning someone down to avoid running afoul of the "No more than 5 open offers" NALP rule)? I think this would make the call more awkward, but am still thinking I should call. Thoughts?

Awkward, sure, but dude, if you have more than five open offers, you really shouldn't be bothered by a little bit of awkwardness. Soldier through it, and then pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate your success.

No idea what you say to "so, what firm did you choose?", but that's a problem of riches, to be sure.

If they ask you that, then you tell them which firm you chose. They'll say, "that's a great firm, good luck!" +1 on the champagne.

[Renzo]

Send a polite email. It's not that big a deal; firms know they won't have 100% yield.

[Anonymous User]

I also got the impression that they generally prefer emails. Partners are busy people and recruiting folks these days are just swamped with student phone calls. Also don't think there's anything impolite about emailing when most business correspondence is done via email

Or maybe you are just scared of calling and rejecting them. I think phone calls are much more courteous and leave a better impression (assuming this is someone you've talked to in the last couple of weeks or who called to extend the offer.)

Of course calling them is more unpleasant, but that does not make emailing much less courteous or calling much more courteous.

[Julio_El_Chavo]

Why are there 23 posts in this thread? You people overcomplicate everything.

[TheFriendlyBarber]

"Dear [recruiter/partner],

It was very nice meeting you on [date]. While I certainly came away from our meeting very impressed with the Firm's reputation and accolades, this was an extraordinarily competitive year and, after giving careful consideration to the Firm's offer, I regret to inform you that I cannot accept a place in your summer associate class. I am confident that the Firm will enjoy continued success in the future.

Regards,
[X]"

[Anonymous User]

"Dear [recruiter/partner],

It was very nice meeting you on [date]. While I certainly came away from our meeting very impressed with the Firm's reputation and accolades, this was an extraordinarily competitive year and, after giving careful consideration to the Firm's offer, I regret to inform you that I cannot accept a place in your summer associate class. I am confident that the Firm will enjoy continued success in the future.

Regards,
[X]"

[Anonymous User]

I'd suggest, if you've really made up your mind to turn a firm down but haven't actually accepted another one yet, contacting recruiting to turn the offer down first, and then contacting the partner. Otherwise, the partner will likely try very hard to persuade you otherwise, name a bunch of other people you should talk to, put you in contact with other ppl, etc.

this will not happen. no self-respecting partner is gonna beg an SA to give his firm a second shot. the conversation lasts all of 10 seconds. you say hi, explain you will not be accepting, partner will say where to, adding something to the effect that he is disappointed but still wishes you luck. that is all. no need to be afraid.

I've heard of this happening, which is why I mentioned it. But no, it won't ALWAYS happen.

[Anonymous User]

"Dear [recruiter/partner],

It was very nice meeting you on [date]. While I certainly came away from our meeting very impressed with the Firm's reputation and accolades, this was an extraordinarily competitive year and, after giving careful consideration to the Firm's offer, I regret to inform you that I cannot accept a place in your summer associate class. I am confident that the Firm will enjoy continued success in the future.

Regards,
[X]"

Amazing. For all you big dogs out there, someone please do this. Do it for the rest of us who are power through with just a few callbacks with the hope that just one offer will come through.

[Anonymous User]

CLS career services said to call OR email the recruiter, and then to feel free to call any partners that you'd want to keep in touch with to let them know your decision and ask if it would be alright to keep in touch.

[Anonymous User]

I'd suggest, if you've really made up your mind to turn a firm down but haven't actually accepted another one yet, contacting recruiting to turn the offer down first, and then contacting the partner. Otherwise, the partner will likely try very hard to persuade you otherwise, name a bunch of other people you should talk to, put you in contact with other ppl, etc.

this will not happen. no self-respecting partner is gonna beg an SA to give his firm a second shot. the conversation lasts all of 10 seconds. you say hi, explain you will not be accepting, partner will say where to, adding something to the effect that he is disappointed but still wishes you luck. that is all. no need to be afraid.

I've heard of this happening, which is why I mentioned it. But no, it won't ALWAYS happen.

I called recruiting at a firm to decline an offer, and they made me get on the phone with a hiring partner (who had called me with my offer). I had already accepted elsewhere, so there was no persuasion on the partner's part, but they did ask me to explain myself as to why I turned them down. Snide comments such as "you're going...there? for lit/corp? huh, interesting" were made.

It was very unpleasant.

[Anonymous User]

I'd suggest, if you've really made up your mind to turn a firm down but haven't actually accepted another one yet, contacting recruiting to turn the offer down first, and then contacting the partner. Otherwise, the partner will likely try very hard to persuade you otherwise, name a bunch of other people you should talk to, put you in contact with other ppl, etc.

this will not happen. no self-respecting partner is gonna beg an SA to give his firm a second shot. the conversation lasts all of 10 seconds. you say hi, explain you will not be accepting, partner will say where to, adding something to the effect that he is disappointed but still wishes you luck. that is all. no need to be afraid.

I've heard of this happening, which is why I mentioned it. But no, it won't ALWAYS happen.

I called recruiting at a firm to decline an offer, and they made me get on the phone with a hiring partner (who had called me with my offer). I had already accepted elsewhere, so there was no persuasion on the partner's part, but they did ask me to explain myself as to why I turned them down. Snide comments such as "you're going...there? for lit/corp? huh, interesting" were made.

It was very unpleasant.

I had this happen as well. I turned down a top firm in the market for a smaller firm within the same market. When I explained myself, the recruiting coordinator said "well, you could get that here as well." I said, as clearly as possible, "honestly, I don't think I could have." It was a bit awkward, but I don't regret being honest.