5 Ways to Lose a Job Offer

Receiving a job offer is an exciting moment that should never be taken for granted. However, there are several ways in which a candidate can lose a job offer before they even start. Candidates who are prepared, professional, and respond in a timely manner usually avoid this problem, but mistakes during this stage of the process are common. Prospective employers can easily lose interest when they encounter any of the 5 behaviors listed below that can lose you a job offer.

Discrepancies on Resume/LinkedIN/Application

If your information and job history are not consistent between your resume, LinkedIN profile, and your job application, it could raise a red flag. Not only are these mistakes unprofessional, but employers may wonder if you are reporting false information on purpose. Always be sure that your resume and LinkedIN profile are up to date with correct information. Take care while filling out job applications to be sure that all dates and locations are correct. Even an honest mistake could reflect poorly on your candidacy and raise suspicions about your character. Ensuring that you have consistent and correct information across the board helps employers save the extra time they would need to spend verifying your job history and qualifications.

Waiting Too Long to Accept

Employers are generally understanding if you need to take some time to think about a job offer before you accept it. There are many aspects of a new opportunity that need to be thought through before you make the commitment to a big life change. However, you don’t want to keep them waiting too long. If you leave a job offer on the table for longer than a few days, it gives the impression that you may not be totally interested or enthusiastic about the opportunity. Most employers have back-up candidates who are ready to fill your position. If you wait too long, employers might suspect they are competing with another offer and find someone else for the job instead. Always respond to a job offer in a timely manner to avoid losing the opportunity to another candidate. We recommend responding within 24-48 hours.

Being Desperate vs. Desirable

It’s good to be enthusiastic about a job and to give your potential employer the impression that you are interested in the opportunity they are presenting to you. However, being too persistent can lose you the job offer. Employers might interpret your persistence as desperation for the job. After you’ve sent a thank you note, it’s best to give your prospective employer time to reach their decision. Calling over and over to request an update will do little to speed up the process. This will only make you seem like a less desirable candidate.

Unreasonable Negotiation

It’s completely acceptable to make a prospective employer aware of a counter-offer, but taking it too far could lose you the offer. Trying to start a bidding war between two parties is risky. A company might not want to waste time and effort in securing you as an employee, especially if they have other qualified candidates who are ready to accept the first offer. If you are working with a recruiter, they will readily negotiate on your behalf. Last year Bradley Staffing Group saw an average of a 10% increase in salary for candidates placed by our recruiters. You might also risk losing an opportunity by trying to renegotiate compensation after you accept an offer. Your offer could be rescinded if you change your mind about terms you already agreed to. Negotiation should be reasonable, fair, and agreed upon before you accept a job offer.

Poor References

Most employers make job offers contingent upon your references. Reference checks can reveal a lot to potential employers about your professional characteristics and how they relate to the role you want to take on with their company. Always choose your references with care. Use contacts with whom you worked closely and know you well. A reference who doesn’t have much to say about you will do little to help your chances, and their generic answers may come off as reluctance to share the truth. An employer may suspect that a reference is unwilling to talk about you in order to avoid making their company liable due to negative comments. A good reference is someone who can share specific stories and examples about your performance at work.

There are few things worse than losing an opportunity you thought you had locked down. It’s important to remember that even after you receive a job offer, it’s not a guarantee. This stage of acquiring a new job is just as delicate as any, and you don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the opportunity. Mistakes happen, but by avoiding these 5 behaviors you are likely to secure your new job without a hitch.

Bradley Staffing Group is a full-service staffing firm based in Wayne, PA. We are committed to matching A-level talent with best-in-class businesses. Our knowledgeable and well-trained staff brings a combined 70+ years of staffing experience to our clients and candidates alike. http://useful-sock.flywheelsites.com/contact-us/