Job Interview Mistakes: Oops! I turned down a job that I want now!

Have you ever found yourself in this situation? Youcomes down to is your ability to make that eye-to-eye
turned down a job offer because you were sure youconnection with the hiring manager and communicate
were getting a better one….and then you didn't.to him that you will honor the opportunity, that you
What now?  Can you get that offer back?  Maybe.were given a fair shake, and that you won't leave.
Here's your best shot at turning this situation around forIf you can communicate this to the hiring manager, it is
you:possible to get the offer reinstated—I've seen it
First of all, find out if the job is still open before you dohappen, but it is difficult.  It's better to avoid this
anything.   If so, contact the hiring manager yousituation by being very thoughtful before you turn
spoke to in the interview.  Don't go thdown any job offers.rough HR—they aren't known
Have you ever found yourself in this situation? Youto be very forgiving of that kind of behavior.  Besides
turned down a job offer because you were sure youthat, HR doesn't have the need to fill that spot that the
were getting a better one….and then you didn't.hiring manager does.  If you've been through the
What now?  Can you get that offer back?  Maybe.interview and gotten the offer, the hiring manager has
Here's your best shot at turning this situation around forseen that you're a person who can solve a problem
you:he has in the business.
First of all, find out if the job is still open before you doWhen you speak to the hiring manager, accept
anything.   If so, contact the hiring manager youresponsibility.  Say something like, "Mr. Manager, you
spoke to in the interview.  Don't go throughhave to understand, this is the first time I've been in this
HR—they aren't known to be very forgiving of thatkind of a job search, and I was anticipating a couple of
kind of behavior.  Besides that, HR doesn't have theother offers, and I was uncomfortable because yours
need to fill that spot that the hiring manager does.  Ifwas the first I received, but upon pursuing some of
you've been through the interview and gotten thethese other positions a little farther, I have come to
offer, the hiring manager has seen that you're arealize that I've made a terrible mistake in not
person who can solve a problem he has in theaccepting yours.  I'd love to be reconsidered for it, and
business.if I need to come in and interview again, I'm fine with
When you speak to the hiring manager, acceptthat.  I would just like the opportunity to discuss it with
responsibility.  Say something like, "Mr. Manager, youyou and see if we can come to an agreement."
have to understand, this is the first time I've been in thisOne of the things you have to remember is that you
kind of a job search, and I was anticipating a couple ofhave to help that manager feel that you're not taking
other offers, and I was uncomfortable because yoursthis job because it's the only one left, and that you are
was the first I received, but upon pursuing some ofcommitted to the job and won't be leaving as soon as
these other positions a little farther, I have come to"something better" comes along.  What it really
realize that I've made a terrible mistake in notcomes down to is your ability to make that eye-to-eye
accepting yours.  I'd love to be reconsidered for it, andconnection with the hiring manager and communicate
if I need to come in and interview again, I'm fine withto him that you will honor the opportunity, that you
that.  I would just like the opportunity to discuss it withwere given a fair shake, and that you won't leave.
you and see if we can come to an agreement."If you can communicate this to the hiring manager, it is
One of the things you have to remember is that youpossible to get the offer reinstated—I've seen it
have to help that manager feel that you're not takinghappen, but it is difficult.  It's better to avoid this
this job because it's the only one left, and that you aresituation by being very thoughtful before you turn
committed to the job and won't be leaving as soon asdown any job offers.
"something better" comes along.  What it really