View Full Version : Thank you, or no thank you?
This is kind of a weird question. Some of you may have been reading my other thread(s) about the possible lateral move. I interviewed for it yesterday, and I'm pretty sure I don't want the job after all.
I'm not sure if I should send a thank you note or not. And if I do, should I say "thanks but no thanks"? I've only ever done the "thank you for the opportunity and I know I would be a valuable member of your team" type of letters.
I'm not sure what etiquette applies here.
What do you think?'
Thanks!
FWIW...always say thank you for the interview. Don't turn the job down before it is offered. But the interview was certainly valuable experience (even if it just clarified your decision).
That's how I would do it, I think.
Good advice.
But, um, what do I say? This feels so awkward. I don't want to say "I'd welcome the chance to work on your team" if I have no intention of doing so. I don't want to lie--these are people I see every day and will need to continue to work with, so I don't want to jerk them around.
Thank them for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the job.
Perhaps say something to the effect of thanking them for the opportunity (which you enjoyed) of interviewing, but after further reflection you feel that the position is not a good match for you, but you're hopeful another more fitting one comes along in the future, and that you will be watching for that. (not in those exact words of course.)
I would just say "thank you for the interview." (generic thank you).
Once offered the position -- if it is offered -- you just politely say that, having considered it very deeply, you would prefer to stay in your current position.
I like Zoebird's advice the best. It is not good form to turn down a job before it's offered. In fact, right now you do not know everything you need to know about the job. Exactly how much would they pay you? If it's more than you're making now, would it be better to accept the job, make the money, and learn what you can? Or would it be better to stay in your current job, bored, for less money? The only time you should turn a job down ahead of time is if you've learned something about the position or organization that is an absolute showstopper for you and which the organization cannot resolve.
In addition, frugalone, I sense you're in a bit of a career trough at the moment. I would be very careful about shutting down opportunities before they even arrive.
Stevie--the job pays exactly what I make now. I knew that from the start.
There is nothing here that I would call a "showstopper." However, there are a few things I know I would really not like.
I'll try to be brief:
1. I would have to work with a very senior faculty member who is getting rather senile. I've been told "he may forget who you are, and that you work here, and become angry with you." I worked with someone senile years ago. Not a happy experience. I'm not a very patient person, and my reaction when someone gets angry is to get angry back.
2. Data entry. Lots and lots of data entry in Excel, doing invoices, talking to vendors, following broken web links. I get very frustrated with computer glitches. And part of my job would be sort of trying to solve them. And making sure that the more mundane tasks in serials stay off the librarian's desk so she can do more important things.
3. Despite the fact that mold, humidity and heat are the worst things ever for archival material, the archives were described to me as "hot and humid." Heat and humidity make me want to DIE. When the AC broke in the library a week or so ago, I was fit to be tied. And I was assured, this happens Every. Single. Year. Because they can't afford a new AC system; they keep patching it together with refurbs.
4. I was told that the funding for this position came from another position that was eliminated when another library tech retired. I was told back then that there was a "hiring freeze." Now, all of a sudden, this position has been re-funded, though it was vacant for more than a year. There's something odd about this. I also have to wonder, just how much use are the archives going to get? I volunteered at the local historical society, and no one in this fine community ever went in there. And that's the *county* archives. So I have this fear that they'll decide this job is non-essential at some point.
I just don't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire.
I read on several "job blogs" that if you don't want an internal position, you should let them know ASAP. Otherwise, you could be seen as "toying" with the interviewers, not serious, not professional, etc. So that's why I'm worried about this thank you letter. If all I say is "thanks for the interview," that makes for a very short letter indeed. I *have* to say something *else*, one way or the other.
Sorry if I am rambling.
Stevie--the job pays exactly what I make now. I knew that from the start.
There is nothing here that I would call a "showstopper." However, there are a few things I know I would really not like.
I'll try to be brief:
1. I would have to work with a very senior faculty member who is getting rather senile. I've been told "he may forget who you are, and that you work here, and become angry with you." I worked with someone senile years ago. Not a happy experience. I'm not a very patient person, and my reaction when someone gets angry is to get angry back.
2. Data entry. Lots and lots of data entry in Excel, doing invoices, talking to vendors, following broken web links. I get very frustrated with computer glitches. And part of my job would be sort of trying to solve them. And making sure that the more mundane tasks in serials stay off the librarian's desk so she can do more important things.
3. Despite the fact that mold, humidity and heat are the worst things ever for archival material, the archives were described to me as "hot and humid." Heat and humidity make me want to DIE. When the AC broke in the library a week or so ago, I was fit to be tied. And I was assured, this happens Every. Single. Year. Because they can't afford a new AC system; they keep patching it together with refurbs.
4. I was told that the funding for this position came from another position that was eliminated when another library tech retired. I was told back then that there was a "hiring freeze." Now, all of a sudden, this position has been re-funded, though it was vacant for more than a year. There's something odd about this. I also have to wonder, just how much use are the archives going to get? I volunteered at the local historical society, and no one in this fine community ever went in there. And that's the *county* archives. So I have this fear that they'll decide this job is non-essential at some point.
I just don't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire.
I read on several "job blogs" that if you don't want an internal position, you should let them know ASAP. Otherwise, you could be seen as "toying" with the interviewers, not serious, not professional, etc. So that's why I'm worried about this thank you letter. If all I say is "thanks for the interview," that makes for a very short letter indeed. I *have* to say something *else*, one way or the other.
Sorry if I am rambling.
EDIT: I forgot something. I need to eat frequently (like every two hours) because of a health condition. You can't eat or drink in the archives. I need to drink all the time. Seriously. I also pee a lot (sorry if TMI) b/c of said condition. They told me that break and lunch times were not negotiable. At least in my current job, I have students to cover the desk when I need to be away. And no one cares if I eat at my desk.
IshbelRobertson
8-7-13, 1:28pm
In the UK I have always found it best to send a note along the lines of 'Thank you for the opportunity of applying, but on reflection, i wish to withdraw from the selection process'.
This means the company/department/faculty do not waste time deliberating about whether or not to make an offer to me, nor do they tell other applicants they have been unsuccessful, and then find they want to make an offer to one of the also-rans.
I like Ishbel's idea. Simple, polite, direct and it lets them move on to viable candidates.
I like Ishbel's idea. Simple, polite, direct and it lets them move on to viable candidates.
Yup. Given the additional information frugalone provided in her most recent response, this is not a case of cold feet talking and things which could make the job attractive are not present. Based on that, I would withdraw from the selection process, as well. Exactly why people go through the process -- to learn the facts which could make or break a position.
Well, I did it. I wrote a very polite letter thanking them for their time, but asking to be removed from the running. I said that I felt I might better serve the library and the school by remaining in my current job, and that I looked forward to continuing our pleasant working relationship.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. I appreciate your kind advice.
Sounds like a very appropriate letter and I like your emphasis on the current pleasant relationship.
And yes, the job sounded like it would be a very poor fit for you. (or me, for that matter....glad you are not going to the archives!!!)
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