How to decline a offer from prior summer firm Forum

[Anonymous User]

What is the best way to go about this? Phone? Email?

[Anonymous User]

What is the best way to go about this? Phone? Email?

I recently had to do this. I felt like I owed it to the firm to actually call. I called the hiring partner, recruitment director who knew me well, as well as an associate who I got to know very well. I personally think this is just one of those "man up" situations. All you need to say is that you will need to decline the offer, but want to say how great the experience was and how thankful you are for it; this is just the best opportunity for your career. Not much more needs to be said. Good luck! They will understand, they are professionals.

[Anonymous User]

not looking forward to this as well. I definitely did my best to lead them on that I would come back, feeling it would help ensure a return offer.

Great people too, just not the best for my professional interests... "It's not you, it's me"?

[Anonymous User]

not looking forward to this as well. I definitely did my best to lead them on that I would come back, feeling it would help ensure a return offer.

Great people too, just not the best for my professional interests... "It's not you, it's me"?

Previous anon here. I did the same, sometimes pretty strongly, but it is what it is. Just paint it as a new opportunity that has arisen for you. Less is definitely more here. Good luck guys.

[Anonymous User]

did you guys trade up in NYC??

[Anonymous User]

I called when I had to do this. It's not a big deal. Just take a shot and hit the dial button and talk to the recruiting coordinator or whoever the contact is.

They're regularly pushing longtime associates (and sometimes partners) out the door without a blink. Losing a summer associate is just part of the game, one that they've played many times before, and one they probably could not care less about.