How do I decline a job that they won’t let me decline?

This Question From Insurance Affiliate Programs | 19 Answers

QUESTION:

I was recently hand picked for a job as a *VISTA for the Americorps Youth Venture program (affiliated with United Way). It sounded great…helping 12-20 year olds make a goal and achieve it. I’d be in charge of doing that for an entire community! That’s a lot of 12-20 year olds! I was ready to take this job until I found out that it pays 700 bucks a month and offers only catastrophic insurance…no preventative check ups with the doctor or dental cleanings. That didn’t seem so bad because I could get a job on the side and buy my own insurance, right? Wrong! They then told me that I could NOT have another job while being a *VISTA. I told them I didn’t want the job and now they want me to keep going with the interviews and see how I feel later. They keep reminding me of the networking benefits, etc. They simply won’t let me say no! I REALLY don’t want this job and there’s no changing my mind, so how do I tell them NO GET OFF MY BACK without sounding exaclty that rude?
It may sound crazy, but the networking benefits don’t really outweigh the fact that I’ll be in debt so deep by the time I’m done serving as a *VISTA. PLUS, I want to do nails…I don’t really need to network. I was told by the Vice-President of this organization that since this organization was actually started to help end poverty, they believe that the *VISTAs should live at poverty level. I’m a former college student! I know what living at poverty level is like and i don’t want to live at that level anymore! The whole reason I graduated is so that I could get a good job and NOT have to live like that anymore! My family, friends and I find it a little wired that they’re offering a job at poverty level. Well, there’s a lot to comprehend here, so PLEASE HELP!
The reason they gave em for not bein able to have a weekend job is “that I will have one foot in the college campus and one foot in the community so I need to be available to both at all times” STUPID!?

19 Comments so far

Eric C on August 28, 2010 3:02 pm
Bottom line it for them. You can’t take a job that doesn’t pay you a living wage. Tell them you’ll reconsider if they met your pay requirements.

MORE *****

They sound pushy and unreasonable. It sounds like they use guilt trips to get workers. Once they’ve reached the point where I think they’re using guilt tactics or are still contacting you after you’ve declined, then stop worrying about their feelings because they’ve long stopped thinking about yours.
006 on August 28, 2010 3:16 pm
Tell them you are not interested, and to please stop calling you. If that doesn’t work, then get rude.
verbalise on August 28, 2010 3:56 pm
I apologise but our visions don’t match. I will not be attending further interviews. Best of luck with finding a suitable candidate.
fireball226 on August 28, 2010 4:27 pm
its still your choice….tell them you have a better offer and youre just no longer interested
Apple21 on August 28, 2010 4:37 pm
They can’t stop you from getting a side job. Perhaps they meant that you wouldn’t have adequate time for a second job. Either way, the pay is ridiculous and the benefits are even worse.

My suggestion is that you find another employer. You can’t survive on that type of compensation package. The way you tell them to get off your back is to QUIT. There are plenty of non-profit organizations that pay better than that. Mind you, none pay great, but again, what your current employer is offering is ridiculous.
snapdragon on August 28, 2010 5:14 pm
This sounds like a situation where rudeness may be your own solution. Some people are oblivious to politeness and reason.

Why not print off this question and hand it to them?
retropink on August 28, 2010 6:12 pm
When necessary, tell them “No, thank you I’m not interested.” Repeat as needed.

If possible, send a letter to someone in a decision making role stating (very politely) that you are no longer interested in the job and thank them for their time. Refuse to set up any more interviews and do not attend any they “schedule” for you. When you don’t show up, they’ll get the hint. The key is to remain professional throughout this process.
whiskeyflirt on August 28, 2010 7:07 pm
Tell them thanks for the offer but you are unable to survive financially with what they pay and without healthcare and dental you are going to have to pass and when they start harassing you to work for them tell them firmly that you are employed elsewhere and to stop bothering you.
galaxy wolf on August 28, 2010 7:26 pm
perhaps a formal letter? hand written if possible, but typed will do well too.

something along the lines of “To whomever it may concern,

I apologise for the misunderstanding, but since being picked for the placement as a *VISTA, my circumstances have changed, and i am no longer able to maintain an interest in fulfilling this placement, please may my name be removed from the candidate list, and the placement reassigned,

Yours Sincerely,

Whomever”

that’s only a rough guide mind, try to keep it formal, and choose your words carefully, don’t say “i don’t want this job”, say something like ” i am no longer able to maintain an interest in this placement”, or, “due to my circumstances, i am no longer able to accept the position” they don’t need to know a reason, as it doesn’t pertain to them, and if they insist, you can put it down to “personal reasons”, or “change of circumstance” i don’t think they’ll pursue it any further than that.

hope that helps you.
J M on August 28, 2010 8:02 pm
Stop going to the interviews. When they call tell them you are not interested, thank them for calling, say goodbye and hang up.
noodles on August 28, 2010 8:43 pm
You have not signed any contract, have you? You should be able to decline this job, especially it does not provide for your living. Let them know that you can ONLY work for them if the salary meets your living standards. This is the matter of basic human survival!
King T on August 28, 2010 9:07 pm
god gave you free will, now excercise that.
PinkLove22 on August 28, 2010 9:41 pm
Just say, “I’m very sorry, but after reviewing the benefits, wages and insurance information regarding this position; I’ve come to realize that this isn’t what I’m looking for. Unfortunately, the pay is not enough to support my current finanical situation and the insuranace benefits are not the coverage I am in need of or looking for. I’m very sorry, but after weighing the pros and cons, I’m going to have to decline this position. ”

If they continue to harsh say:

“I understand you are trying to help me make the best possible decision for both myself and your organization, but again I am declining. I ask that we cease all interviews and the application process. I currently need to focus on finding another position for a different company or organization that better fits my needs.”
peace seeker on August 28, 2010 10:16 pm
Just don’t show up and when they call you politely explain you’re pursuing other ventures, and would be happy to consider any other opportunities available going forward. You’ve enjoyed talking or working with them and hope some time in the future to be able to be involved with one of their programs again.
They can’t make you do it and really how great can the networking benefits be in an area where the 12-20 year old community is aimless.
Good luck to you. The world is a better place with you in it. You will find your niche soon.
Pacifica on August 28, 2010 11:15 pm
So a whopping $700 bills a month, no medical and after rent what the heck is left – HA!

I have a sneaky feeling that the candidates for this job must be few and far between.

Nice way to say GET OFF MY BACK and NO THANKS:

“This is an important decision, I have given it a great deal of though and decline”

“Thank you for encouraging me, however, I have goals I wish to achieve and this is not the route I want to take. Again, thank you but I decline”

“I have been considering the high degree of commitment professionally and emotionally required for this position, however, I also have other interests I need to pursue for my development (self growth)”

“I appreciate being considered for this position; however, I cannot manage my life with $ (whatever) pay my bills, medical insurance and pursue other interests. Thank you again, but I must decline”

Get the idea? Start with a positive, then end with a definte NO statement and stand firm.

If they see you waver (be aware of your body language too) they will pressure you.

Its your life.
aout on August 28, 2010 11:40 pm
Tell them flat out that you cannot take the job because you won’t be able to support yourself. Networking doesn’t help you get food on the table, a roof over your head and clothing on your back. And that unless they can offer you a better salary and insurance, OR allow you to have a part-time job on the side, you will have to decline. No going on to the other interviews to see if you will change your mind, because you won’t since it’s just not feasible for you to live off so little.
Mistress Kat on August 28, 2010 11:49 pm
It is not that they will not let you decline. It is simply that they are pressuring you to accept. You need to weigh all the factors without the pressure and determine if this is the correct path for you. If it is not, then say no.

You may need to get firm but always remain professional. Let them know you appreciate their consideration and are honored at them thinking you would do a good job for them. However, you have thought of all the advantages and disadvantages and have determined that this is not for you.

If they persist, keep telling them no and that you would appreciate them stopping the incessant pressure. You have no obligation to continue with the process or additional interviews. They are not going to kidnap you and force you to go.
jessie l on August 29, 2010 12:39 am
I’ve never heard such a thing. If you don’t want this job, you don’t want it. No one has the rights to make you take it. There are plenty of jobs out there for you to take.

Most states are “at will” states when it comes to job unless you signed a contract with them. That means they can fire you for any reasons as well as you can quit anytime you please.
waterlily on August 29, 2010 1:21 am
The same scenerio happened to one of my friends. She turned down a job because “it didn’t feel right” and they called her and convinced her to take it. She thought that since they wanted her so badly, it must be the best job for her. Well, after the first week, she knew she had made a mistake and should have listened to her gut. It took a few more weeks before she was out of that place because they wanted her to give 2 weeks notice since she “would be leaving them in a bad spot”. She was miserable for a month!!!! And she had passed up other opportunities to take that job.

The lesson here is listen to your heart. Tell them in a stern way, thank you but you have decided that it’s not the right move for you at this time but you appreciate all their efforts. Leave them feeling good about wanting to hire you. And then don’t look back or second guess yourself.

How do I decline a job that they won’t let me decline?

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