When to say no

JOB SEARCH: You’re looking for a new job. You’ve even received a job offer. But you’re not sure whether it’s the right position for you. Perhaps you should just say no.

Career experts say that there are some cases when you should turn down a job. “Taking a job that is not right for you can be harmful to your long-term career goals,” says consultant Barbara Limmer of Career Navigation LLC in Phoenix, Arizona. “The key is to identify your needs and find a job that satisfies them,” Limmer told The Arizona Republic newspaper.

If you don’t need money immediately and can afford to keep looking for a job, turn down the offer you’re uncertain about, Limmer advises. She points out that long working hours or retraining for the job may make it difficult for you to later find work that is better suited to your talents.

Think about how much you’re willing to compromise, says Sharon Green, who owns Ace Resume, a professional résumé-writing service. Do you want a flexible schedule and a short commute to work? If the company is willing to be flexible about your working hours but is not close to your home, you need to decide how important a short commute is to your job satisfaction. Say no to the offer if you feel you don’t want to spend a lot of time getting to and from the office.

Barbara Limmer

"Taking a job that is not right for you can harm your career." 

Be conscious of your career goals, but don’t turn down a job because it does not fit your expectations exactly. “The job could be a stepping stone to the job you want,” Limmer says. However, all bets are off if there is no chance of advancement or possibility of growth in the new position. Limmer suggests asking questions like: “What is the company’s philosophy on promoting from within?” Ideally, you should ask this during your job interview.

Finally, if you don’t like the job or the employer, decline the offer. “If, ultimately, a person accepts a job that doesn’t fill their primary needs, it will most likely not be a positive experience,” says Green. “My bet is that they will be looking for a job again very soon.”