How to politely decline a job interview without burning any bridges? *Updated

teddygirl9 · January 2015

I just received an email from another (rival) company, that has requested an interview with me for a position way above my skill level. If I had the training/experience required I might consider it, but at this point, it just isnt feasible. How can I politely decline, while still keeping the 'opportunity' for the future open? I've never had this happen before. Any and all insight is greatly appreciated!

littlepep · January 2015

Hmm that's tough. My FI was in a similar situation a while back when I guy asked him to come for an interview. He basically said thank you for the complements/interest, but I'm happy at my current job and not seeking another position at the moment. I don't think there is anything wrong with saying you aren't seeking a new position at the moment, but you hope they will keep you in mind for the future.

anjemon · January 2015

Are you interested in leaving your current job for this new job? Would you enjoy this job if you were offered it? Because I think those answers greatly affect how I would respond.

I would probably go to the interview. It gets you face to face time with the people you want to have an open opportunity with and you get to see the company and their process. And they get to see if they like you. If they don't offer you the job because you don't have the qualifications, then you're in the clear. You can send them a note saying you realized you were under-qualified and were just happy for the chance. And if you do get the job, yay!

If for some reason there is a negative to going to the interview, send them a polite email stating that you are "pleased to be considered for the position but are not looking to move positions at this time" or something like that. Thank them for the opportunity and keep everything super positive and polite.

teddygirl9 · January 2015

I am happy in my current job, and I guess I wouldn't mind this other one, however I don't have some of the qualifications they are looking for (one specifically, that is a training class, which even after taking the class I would have no experience in). This job would be a LARGE step up, would include a drastic pay increase, company car, etc.

I don't think there is a negative to going to the interview, besides them firing their HR person for wanting to interview someone so vastly underqualified haha.

He left his phone number, so maybe I will sleep on it and call him tomorrow. I've only been in my current position for a year (and am new to the industry), so figure I still have alot to learn.

theartistformerlyknownas · January 2015

You just say "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in other opportunities at the moment." Especially if this was a linked in cold call, you don't need to go into detail.

kvruns · January 2015

You say you're not qualified yet they sought you out. Do you think it was just a maybe she has extra skills we can't see on LinkedIn or they know enough about what you do that they are willing to reach out and consider you for this bigger role?

hellosweetie1015 · January 2015

I'd do the interview. Honestly. Pay increase, company car, hell yeah.

But I'd go into it expecting not to get it, especially if I were underqualified.

(But I'd still go.)

Couggal12 · January 2015

You don't need to go into a lot of detail. A simple "Thank you so much for considering me for this position. However at the moment I'm not looking for another opportunity. I hope you will consider me if anything changes in the future."

However, if you ARE looking for other opportunities it doesn't hurt to interview, even if you think you don't stand a chance. They will be able to talk to you further and assess if you have the skills.

blabla89 · January 2015

kvruns said:

You say you're not qualified yet they sought you out. Do you think it was just a maybe she has extra skills we can't see on LinkedIn or they know enough about what you do that they are willing to reach out and consider you for this bigger role?

This is a valid point. Definitely engage with them. Go to the interview, learn about their willingness to train you for this higher position, see if the company seems like a good fit for you. If it seems like they aren't looking to train someone for the job, you could follow up by saying that you're very interested in working for the company, but you feel that the role of (your current position, or a step above) would be a better fit for you, and you hope that they will keep you in mind should they have any openings for this position.

A word of caution, though: Last year I was invited to interview with a company that competes tangentially with the one I work for, for a role I wasn't entirely qualified for. When I went to the interview it was clear that they were, in fact, digging for information on the company I work for. So, be careful about how much you share about your current position.

ashley8918 · January 2015

There is absolutely nothing wrong with politely declining and letting them no that you are not looking for other opportunities right now.

HOWEVER, it sounds like you actually are interested in this job, and just don't think you have a chance. You know the saying "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take"? Absolutely applies here. Let's say you have a 10% chance of getting the job due to your lack of experience. Well, if you don't interview, that chance drops to 0%. If they contacted you, it's possible that the experience is not a hard requirement.

Had I not interviewed for a job that I thought I was vastly under qualified for, I would not be in line to become the director of my department right now.

My point being, if you are even the least bit interested, take the interview! You never know.

floridabride44 · January 2015

Definitely interview. (as long as you know your current company won't find out, or if they did find out it wouldn't create conflict) Even if you aren't fully qualified for the job, a lot of time job postings are full of crap anyway and are full of "Job Requirements" that aren't even fully real.

Plus, real interviewing practice is great. It will help put you at ease for the next time when you have to interview for a job that you ARE fully qualified for and that you really want!

Good luck! Someone reaching out to you for a career advancement opportunity is a great problem to have!

Fran1985 · January 2015

TAKE THE INTERVIEW! This is one of the biggest problems women have! Women will read a job description and not apply if they don't have 95% of the qualifications. Men apply if they meet 30% of the qualifications. Seriously. If you are interested take the interview. They will find out then if you don't have all the qualifications- or they might have the qualifications as a "wish list." Seriously the hardest part about getting a job is getting the interview. If you are getting the interview they are already interested.

theartistformerlyknownas · January 2015

Fran1985 said:
TAKE THE INTERVIEW! This is one of the biggest problems women have! Women will read a job description and not apply if they don't have 95% of the qualifications. Men apply if they meet 30% of the qualifications. Seriously. If you are interested take the interview. They will find out then if you don't have all the qualifications- or they might have the qualifications as a "wish list." Seriously the hardest part about getting a job is getting the interview. If you are getting the interview they are already interested.

This is a very good point. Never decline because you think you're not good enough. But if you just don't want to leave, don't feel obligated to waste their time and yours.

FWIW though, lots of linked in recruiters do cast a very wide net. In the same week I'll get inquiries for analyst and VP positions. (I'm manager level.)

manateehugger · January 2015

Fran1985 said:

TAKE THE INTERVIEW! This is one of the biggest problems women have! Women will read a job description and not apply if they don't have 95% of the qualifications. Men apply if they meet 30% of the qualifications. Seriously. If you are interested take the interview. They will find out then if you don't have all the qualifications- or they might have the qualifications as a "wish list." Seriously the hardest part about getting a job is getting the interview. If you are getting the interview they are already interested.

This 100%. There is no reason whatsoever that you should turn down this interview. I've spent a number of years as a compensation consultant, and I've learned a couple things.

1. People love to go on and on about gender pay gap issues without analyzing the actual issues behind actual irregularities. Women failing to exploit opportunities for promotion and failing to interview aggressively is one of the primary culprits (among industry and function, previous experience, organization revenue, etc.).

2. Job descriptions are often crafted by HR people who have zero idea what the job actually entails. Seriously, many of them are generalist who've never stepped outside the world of HR and are working off generic templates available online. I've edited all sorts of crazy ass job descriptions that make no sense, e.g. requiring an MBA to do basic data entry. The actual position supervisors will know better what they are looking for. Never trust a job description posted in a recruiter email or job board. If you're in the right field or have the skills listed but not the experience, APPLY.

Take the interview as brilliant interview practice if nothing else. Best case scenario, if this company extends an offer, you can use your current job as leverage to negotiate better pay, better promotion potential, core hours flexibility, etc. Worst they can say is no, and you have a job to fall back on! You have nothing to lose, tons to gain.

huskypuppy14 · January 2015

hsgator said:

Definitely interview. (as long as you know your current company won't find out, or if they did find out it wouldn't create conflict) Even if you aren't fully qualified for the job, a lot of time job postings are full of crap anyway and are full of "Job Requirements" that aren't even fully real.

Plus, real interviewing practice is great. It will help put you at ease for the next time when you have to interview for a job that you ARE fully qualified for and that you really want!

Good luck! Someone reaching out to you for a career advancement opportunity is a great problem to have!

This 100%. At my company they may have an ideal candidate in mind, and they would prefer they meet most of the requirements. However, if they really like you and think you'd be a big asset/great fit for the company, they'll either find another opening for you, or will hire you at a lower level.

It depends on the job. It took our company over two years to find a CFO.

porkchops926 · January 2015

Definitely interview. Proceed with caution in case it's a set up to glean info off of you, but if it's a significant pay increase and other perks why would you pass up the opportunity?

I used to not apply for things because I thought I wasn't qualified. However, in most cases you learn the skills you need for any position best on the job. And everyone is completely right about your self perceived lack of qualifications. Companies will describe their ideal candidate, but in reality, no one but a cyborg in most cases would have all the qualities they're looking for, and they just post all the qualifications to cast as wide a net as possible and see who comes close.

If this is legit, then it doesn't matter if you're fully qualified. What matters is: are you interested, and do you have the skills to learn and grow on the fly while starting the new position?

mlg78 · January 2015

How did they find out about you? Just from you being at the rival company? LinkedIn? Do they know much about your qualifications (or you not being qualified as you say)? If they know your background and (lack of) qualifications, I would interview...they're pursuing you despite the lack of training and experience. They may be very willing to take care of the training class and have a game plan for you to gain that experience over the next few months/year. You won't know that if you don't have a conversation... If they don't know your background I'd consider thanking them for their interest and offering to send your resume over to them to review and if they want to set up an interview at that time, you should go. I would not quickly decline this opportunity.

mrsk616 · January 2015

my FI was not qualified for the job he has now yet they took him because of education and his job back ground. he was fresh out of trucking school no experience driving and now he has learned everything he needs to and gets offers left and right but turns them down because they offer him lower than what he makes now. if its more than what you make now take it.

take the interview if anything for the experience (a lot of the job interviews i went on was for that experience)

LondonLisa · January 2015

I second: TAKE THE INTERVIEW

My mentor told me "Always interview for a job you would be interested in, even if you know you won't get it. It is a chance to have 30 minutes in front of very important decision makers to talk about why you are great and what skills you have. They may know that this role is beyond you, but who knows about the next role."

Worst case, it is great practice and a chance to network with senior people at a company you would like to work for.

Best case: It is a great role and a chance to develop your skills OR a chance to go back to your existing company if you are happy there and ask for a raise/ promotion on the basis of having a better offer elsewhere.

teddygirl9 · January 2015

Wow! I didn't expect so much push toward the interview! I am definitely considering it, even if just for the experience. You guys gave me a lot to think about, thank you!

KatieinBkln · January 2015

Fran1985 said:

TAKE THE INTERVIEW! This is one of the biggest problems women have! Women will read a job description and not apply if they don't have 95% of the qualifications. Men apply if they meet 30% of the qualifications. Seriously. If you are interested take the interview. They will find out then if you don't have all the qualifications- or they might have the qualifications as a "wish list." Seriously the hardest part about getting a job is getting the interview. If you are getting the interview they are already interested.

Quoting for All the Truth.

levioosa · January 2015

Take the interview!

teddygirl9 · January 2015

Okay guys, against all your better judgements, I declined the interview.

BUT HE WOULD NOT LET UP! He emailed back and asked why I declined, so I told him an honest answer, and he replied back that 'everyone has to start somewhere' and 'I really appreciate your honest approach to your expectations' but still wanted me to call. So I did. It went okay, we chatted for almost an hour and had a pretty good rapport I thought. He realized my lack of experience, but still wants to meet up while he is out here (hes from a different province) in the next few weeks. Besides the few things I was initally nervous about, the expectations and general day to day work are things that I pretty much already do...So it wouldn't be AS HUGE as a jump as I thought.

I should have just listened to you guys in the first place haha. Silly me!

ashley8918 · January 2015

teddygirl9 said:

Okay guys, against all your better judgements, I declined the interview.

BUT HE WOULD NOT LET UP! He emailed back and asked why I declined, so I told him an honest answer, and he replied back that 'everyone has to start somewhere' and 'I really appreciate your honest approach to your expectations' but still wanted me to call. So I did. It went okay, we chatted for almost an hour and had a pretty good rapport I thought. He realized my lack of experience, but still wants to meet up while he is out here (hes from a different province) in the next few weeks. Besides the few things I was initally nervous about, the expectations and general day to day work are things that I pretty much already do...So it wouldn't be AS HUGE as a jump as I thought.

I should have just listened to you guys in the first place haha. Silly me!

Girl, you are batty.

Buuuuuut, I'm glad you talked with him!

teddygirl9 · January 2015

Hah I know. It would have just been a phone interview in the first place anyways, so I will contact him on monday to set up an in-person interview while he is out here.

mlg78 · January 2015

When will people learn that you never ignore TK advice?!? What was it that made you go against EVERYONE telling you to do it?

Good luck!

huskypuppy14 · January 2015

LondonLisa said:

I second: TAKE THE INTERVIEW

My mentor told me "Always interview for a job you would be interested in, even if you know you won't get it. It is a chance to have 30 minutes in front of very important decision makers to talk about why you are great and what skills you have. They may know that this role is beyond you, but who knows about the next role."

Worst case, it is great practice and a chance to network with senior people at a company you would like to work for.

Best case: It is a great role and a chance to develop your skills OR a chance to go back to your existing company if you are happy there and ask for a raise/ promotion on the basis of having a better offer elsewhere.

We have a lot of openings at my company. We've been doubling for the last 3 years. If someone interviews for one position, it's possible they are more qualified for another position open in the company. One time someone who was interviewing for an open position in my group, got scooped up by a different group. The other group had a more urgent need for someone, and the positions were similar, just slightly different skill sets. It never hurts to try!

hellosweetie1015 · January 2015

SO GLAD you wound up with the interview, even though you tried not to.

TK advice is absolutely tops in just about all things. Bestest ever.

How to politely decline a job interview without burning any bridges? *Updated

Re: How to politely decline a job interview without burning any bridges? *Updated

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