When the Pieces Don’t Fit
How should you take yourself out of a process when you’ve decided a position isn’t a good fit for you? This seems to be something many candidates struggle with, for one or reason or another, and I’ve seen some do serious damage to their reputations by fumbling these interactions, so here’s some advice on how to approach the situation.
How to Drop Out of a Search Process
- Remember that Student Affairs is a small field. Don’t be rude, demanding, or burn bridges. You may cross paths with people on the other side of the hiring table again.
- Graciously thank the hiring coordinator for whatever experiences you’ve had up to that point with their institution, even if you didn’t have the best experience. Remember that being invited indicates that an employer is interested in your candidacy, and not some elaborate conspiracy designed to confound or destroy your career aspirations.
- Wish them well with their search.
- Be tactful about your reasons for dropping out (tell them you got another offer, that you didn’t feel the institution as a good fit for your current needs, or that you need more time to consider options.)
How Not to Drop Out of a Search Process
- Ceasing all communication with an institution after they have contacted you to either gauge your further interest or to make you an offer.
- Not returning calls or e-mails asking for an update on your status (It’s rude, and may delay the employer’s opportunity to move forward on offering to other candidates.)
- Not filling out required forms (application, background check). You will be disqualified from further consideration, and it could result in a contingent offer being rescinded.
- By starting arguments with the hiring coordinator about salary, benefits, or reimbursement (There are hiring ranges and standard benefits at most institutions.) The world does not operate around what you think you “deserve.” All conversations about these items needs to be approached from the employer’s perspective.
- With commentary about their department or programs not meeting some standards you had going in. (This will come across as arrogant.)
- Any other way than thanking them for their time and wishing them luck with their search.
What do you think?
Are there other tips and advice you would offer job seekers about the etiquette related to dropping out of a process?
Do you have any real-life experiences you’d be willing to share with readers? If so, what were your key take-aways from them?
