It’s a great feeling when your HM decides to extend an offer to your candidate. You’ve kept them warm, shepherded them through multiple interviews, waited on deliberating interviewers and then- if everything goes your way- you make the offer. All your hard work goes went into this moment when the candidate says, “Sorry, I’m going to have to decline”.
Huh? What happened? How did we end up here? No matter the reason, they said “no” and now you have to pick up the pieces.
The last thing you want is to be unprepared and have to start fresh. Some key factors to keep in mind are:
- Keeping a strong pipeline
- Making sure your back-ups are still warm and engaged
- Communicating to the hiring team
- Staying positive
Being prepared for a candidate declining their offer will ease the pain of their rejection immensely. Showing the hiring team that you were ready for the worst and stayed positive will help build trust with them.
By Bob McLaughlin | People Science Sr Talent Advisor
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