Once you have decided to decline an internship or employment offer, notify the recruiter as soon as possible. It is best to inform them by phone and then follow up with an email. A follow-up email provides written confirmation that you will not be accepting the offer, helping to prevent any misunderstandings. If you do not appear on your start date and your declining offer message did not reach the appropriate person, your professional reputation is in question. Prompt communication also helps you maintain a positive relationship should future opportunities arise.
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Declining Offer Example
Dear Ms. Grant:
Thank you for offering me the position of Area Manager with Aldi. I value Aldi’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to empowering employees to solve complex problems. It was clear during my interview that Aldi attracts talented, bright individuals who are committed to providing exceptional customer service.
This has been a difficult decision, but I have accepted a position with another company in the Northeast. Should I ever be in a position to relocate to the West Coast, Aldi will remain my top choice employer. I sincerely appreciate the time you took to interview me and share information about the position and the company. I wish you and Aldi continued success.
Regards,
Casey Lawson
Declining Offer Example (with referral)
Dear Mr. Smith,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the consulting position with EY. I appreciate your consideration. I have accepted another opportunity with KPMG. However, I would like to recommend one of my colleagues, Jon Snow, for the role. Jon is an excellent fit for the consulting position because of his client-facing experience, ability to solve complex problems, and proven analytical skills.
I have attached Jon’s résumé for your convenience, and I would be happy to help facilitate an introduction or phone call if that would be helpful. I wish you the best as you continue your search for the right candidate.
Sincerely,
Jamie Brookes
Declining Offer Example
Dear Ms. Lauer,
Thank you for offering me the consulting internship position at Deloitte. After careful consideration, I regret that I must decline the offer. Although you were very encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within Deloitte, I have accepted another opportunity that is more in line with my skills and long-term career goals.
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team. You have been helpful, accommodating, and gracious throughout the interview process, and I only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept the offer. You have my best wishes for finding someone best suited for the position.
Sincerely,
Emory Bordner
If you receive an offer and are not ready to accept it, you should seek advice from a career coach about how best to handle the situation. Asking a company to extend an offer decision deadline should be made as early as possible, not on the same day as the original response deadline.
Handshake is currently the number one site for college students to find jobs (Handshake, 2025). Handshake offers five tips and examples for How to Respectfully Decline a Job Offer (Nemeroff, 2025).
For more information on how to professionally and ethically approach your job search, read Playing Fair: Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Job Seeker by NACE.
