😓 The Candidate Rejected the Offer. What Should You Do?
It can happen that after long interviews and negotiations, the candidate rejects your offer. This could disappoint the HR/recruiter and the hiring manager.
But it’s not a reason to give up! Here’s what you can do.
1️⃣ Continue Negotiations
Sometimes a rejection is just the beginning of negotiations. HR needs to gather as much information as possible about the reasons for the refusal.
You should ask directly and review your previous communications: information about the candidate’s needs, the companies they are negotiating with and the stages of those negotiations.
Candidate’s needs may include salary, benefits, bonuses, prospects, team, etc.
2️⃣ Offer Solutions
Now after HR has collected and analysed all the information about the candidate’s needs they can propose solutions that fit within the company’s capabilities.
For example:
➤ Postpone the start date
➤ Offer tailored bonuses/benefits/relocation assistance
➤ Arrange additional meetings with people in the company
➤ Provide more details about the project, tasks, growth opportunities, and other critical aspects for the candidate
3️⃣ Maintain a Professional Tone
One of HR’s roles is to act as a mediator between the hiring manager and the candidate. It’s crucial to ensure that communication remains professional.
For example, a hiring manager might feel frustrated after investing so much time in someone who ultimately declined. Here, HR’s task is to shift the manager’s emotions into a business-focused mindset aimed at hiring a person fit for the role.
This will help preserve a positive relationship with the candidate and protect the hiring manager from burnout during long candidate searches.
4️⃣ Leave the Door Open
The candidate needs to save face. They might initially reject your offer and change their mind later. However, you may never find out because the candidate might feel embarrassed to reach out again.
HR could take a proactive step by sending a message right after the rejection, saying something like: “Let’s stay in touch! Feel free to reach out if you change your mind or see any other interesting vacancies with us.”
5️⃣ Maintain the Relationship
Even if the candidate chooses another company over yours, keep in touch and engage in occasional small talk.
For example, you might ask which offer the candidate accepted in the end, how things are going at their new job, and so on.
After all, the candidate may find something they dislike in the other company. If you maintain a good relationship, the chances of them returning to you are higher.
Here’s a case from the practice of Oksana Prutyanova, analysts and data scientists recruitment lead at NEWHR:
“We made a job offer. The candidate didn’t accept it; she wanted to explore the market.
We told her: ‘Feel free to explore, and we’ll keep looking as well. Both you and we might find someone else.’ It was important for us to maintain open and honest communication.
We agreed on a timeframe during which she would review other offers. After 3–4 weeks, she explored all the offers and chose ours.”
This happens often with candidates who are being headhunted. Your offer might be the only one they have. The candidate needs time to compare it with others and look around at the market.
💙 NEWHR Recruiting agency will help you find IT specialists at any level to meet your business needs. Fill out the form or write to contact@new.hr
