How to withdraw from a job application and not burn a bridge

Deciding to withdraw from a job application can feel uncomfortable, especially if you have already spoken with a recruiter, completed interviews or invested time in the hiring process. However, it is completely normal for circumstances to change during a job search, and there are many reasons why you may decide that a role is no longer the right fit.

Whether you have accepted another opportunity, realised the position does not align with your career goals, or simply decided the company is not the right match, withdrawing from a job application professionally can help you maintain positive relationships and protect your reputation.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to withdraw from a job application, what to say to a recruiter or hiring manager, and how to step away from the process without burning bridges.

Before we explore those, firstly let’s consider why you might want to withdraw from the process to begin with:

Why do candidates withdraw from a job application?

You have accepted a new role

It is very likely that if you are actively looking you have multiple opportunities on the go, and one of the main reasons people stop further processes is that they have accepted an offer best matching to their needs.

The role is not the right match

The next common reason we see is that after learning more about the opportunity from the hiring manager or team, the role appears to not be the right match for you and your career long-term.

The hiring process is too long

For some, we know the hiring process being too long can be enough to withdraw from a process. The length of the process and time commitment (especially if there are multiple tech rounds and tests) could be the tipping point for you to halt any further screening.

You have simply changed your mind

And for no other reason than you changed your mind could you decide the role is not worth exploring further and you need to withdraw yourself.

How to Withdraw From a Job Application Professionally

Whatever your reason, crafting the right letter of withdrawal will maintain a positive impression on yourself should you wish you return to that recruiter or company in the future. Informing all parties of your decision is not only the most professional thing you can do at this moment, but it also saves everyone a lot of time and energy chasing, scheduling and generally still considering you for something you know you are not going to continue with.

When crafting your letter (or email), we suggest keeping it straight forward… explain your intent to withdraw, state your reasoning (especially if it is feedback the recruiter and company can learn from) and sign off with an expression of thanks for their time.

How can this look in practice?

Hello [recruiter]

Please pass my thanks along to the team at [company name] for meeting with me yesterday. After careful consideration I have decided to withdraw my application as I do not believe that the growth trajectory on offer in this position will match where I see myself in the coming 12 months.

I appreciate you taking the time to run through the project with me as well, it was nice learning about them and maybe in the future our paths will cross once more.

I wish you a great day.

[name]

What Not to Do When Withdrawing From a Job Application

Like most things in life, there is a right way and a wrong way to do something and withdrawing from an application is no different. Over the years I have seen and heard some outrageous excuses, but I feel there are only two ways in which you can really withdraw the wrong way:

Ignoring the elephant in the room

It is rather obvious when someone is not interested in moving forward with an opening. Those that were previously highly engaged with responding on emails and taking calls suddenly become mute. Of course, benefit of the doubt steps in here but prolonged lack of communication sends a message to both recruiter and company that you are not interested until they take a step forward to remove you from the process.

If you see your recruiter or the company trying to reach out, respond in a timely fashion.

Lying

Lying to your recruiter or the hiring manager about your interest and then not following through with the process is very damaging to yourself long-term. Honesty is a cornerstone of any great working relationship and if you lie so easily during the hiring process it sends a strong negative message to the company that might burn bridges for you long-term.

Be mindful of how you communicate with recruiters and companies during this step, it is inevitable you will need to withdraw from at least one process in your life and by keeping it professional everyone will maintain a positive impression of you and look to work with you again in the future.

Consider that nearly all companies use applicant tracking systems these days where all communication is stored, even if you re-apply in 2 years’ time, there is a good chance your history will follow you.  

The vast majority will read this article and already know what to do, but I write this article to inform those that might not know it yet and to provide a simple template you can use no matter the reason for withdrawal. I hope this helps and collectively we can bring simplicity to the chaos of recruitment.  

Peritus Partners is a next generation recruitment team that focuses on blending education, business and community together. Interested to see how we can help find the best talent for your team or interested in finding a new job? Reach out today 😎

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