How to say NO to a contract?

[Joe Bloque]

Role 1:
Small company working for a large public sector client.
Interview Tuesday, Contract offered Wednesday, Starting on Monday. Good review from the interviewer - Best interview ever he did in 20 years. Wrote to me how delighted he was offering the role.

Role 2:
Large public sector client.
Today morning, got confirmation for the role (in email) and agency is waiting for purchase order and start date. I have good reasons to believe role will come through.

Role2 is circa 15% > Role1.
Both roles are with large public sector clients.
Role 2 is better commute than Role1.
I personally prefer Role 2

I don't want to p155 around with either of them. Role1 is with a small company. I don't want to waste their time. They need to find some one if I say NO. I have not signed the contracts yet.

How would you say NO in a professional way, not coming across as too clever?

Thanks.

[northernladuk]

Am sorry but is this a serious question??? How to say no in a professional way??

Seriously??

Look! You just made me break my new rule for not being a twunt to newbies

Edit : How about. 'Thank you for considering me for this role. Upon meeting the customer I realise this role is not for me and wish to persue other options in the market. Thanks for all the fish.'
Edit 2: 'Thank you for the offer of a role but due to personal circumstances I wish to inform you I do not wish to progress with this opportunity.'

Remember an interview is part of YOU interviewing the COMPANY. You can also turn around and tell them the role isn't what you want. You are a business you can turn down work as well as them turn down candidates.

<sigh>

[Scrag Meister]

IMHO, this is business and a polite thanks but "I have had a another offer, and having considered commute, job content, rate etc have decides to pursue this other role."

You really have no obligation to fully explain your reasoning.

But as you say a little explaination would be polite, to help them with finding someone else to fill the role.

Congrats on being popular though.

[Advocate]

Am sorry but is this a serious question??? How to say no in a professional way??

Seriously??

Look! You just made me break my new rule for not being a twunt to newbies

I think it's important to be able to turn down contracts without burning bridges and leaving options open in the future; it's a vital skill in this market.

[cojak]

Role 1:
Small company working for a large public sector client.
Interview Tuesday, Contract offered Wednesday, Starting on Monday. Good review from the interviewer - Best interview ever he did in 20 years. Wrote to me how delighted he was offering the role.

Role 2:
Large public sector client.
Today morning, got confirmation for the role (in email) and agency is waiting for purchase order and start date. I have good reasons to believe role will come through.

Role2 is circa 15% > Role1.
Both roles are with large public sector clients.
Role 2 is better commute than Role1.
I personally prefer Role 2

I don't want to p155 around with either of them. Role1 is with a small company. I don't want to waste their time. They need to find some one if I say NO. I have not signed the contracts yet.

How would you say NO in a professional way, not coming across as too clever?

Thanks.

Thank him for his time, explain to him that in this instance you think it is appropriate for both parties if you did not accept the role. Wish him luck for the future.

[cojak]

I think it's important to be able to turn down contracts without burning bridges and leaving options open in the future; it's a vital skill in this market.

WHS.

[northernladuk]

I think it's important to be able to turn down contracts without burning bridges and leaving options open in the future; it's a vital skill in this market.

Totally agree but the ability to say thanks but not thank politely or professionaly is also a vital, no scratch that, is a basic requirement!!!!!

Here you go, advice even with a sample letter to download

Refusal letter

[Joe Bloque]

Thanks for all the comments. Sorry, I should have mentioned this before.

Wednesday - I replied to the interviewer 'thanking him for offering me the role and looking forward to start on Monday'. No contracts signed yet.

Thursday morning (Today) - I get confirmation for other role.

I know this is business and clients won't think twice to show you the door If they don't need you.

I want to say NO without coming across as opportunistic/clever/unprofessional/silly having said YES before (in the email).

Each project reminds me how small my contracting world is and frankly I don't want to burn bridges(though I don't see any for now)!

Thanks.

[The Wikir Man]

I don't want to p155 around with either of them. Role1 is with a small company. I don't want to waste their time. They need to find some one if I say NO. I have not signed the contracts yet.

How would you say NO in a professional way, not coming across as too clever?

Thanks.

I'm not entirely clear who you actually want to say "no" to. Having agreed to take the first contract, and with a start date of Monday, I don't think it is possible to reject it AND come across as professional. You either take the role and are professional, or you don't and are not. Ring the agency and tell them that you have found a better role and will be taking the one you agreed to. Expect to be given grief for this.

I would also say that I think that in this economic climate, you would be crazy to turn down definite work based on the promise that "as soon as we get PO approval, we'll offer you the contract". Since I have been contracting, I have had a few contracts drop out at the last minute - have a look on here and you will find similar stories.

-----

If, alternatively, you are turning down role 2, it's easy. Ring the agency and explain that you have had a definite offer for a role, and feel that you have to take that one because they want an urgent start next week. Thank them for their time. If you have contact details for the other gig, contact them and explain the same thing - thank them and express your desire to work with them in the future. Make it clear that once you make a contractual decision, you will stick to it - they may bear that in mind in the future that you aren't going to ditch them just because you feel like it.

[northernladuk]

Thanks for all the comments. Sorry, I should have mentioned this before.

Wednesday - I replied to the interviewer 'thanking him for offering me the role and looking forward to start on Monday'. No contracts signed yet.

Thursday morning (Today) - I get confirmation for other role.

I know this is business and clients won't think twice to show you the door If they don't need you.

I want to say NO without coming across as opportunistic/clever/unprofessional/silly having said YES before (in the email).

Each project reminds me how small my contracting world is and frankly I don't want to burn bridges(though I don't see any for now)!

Thanks.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. You forgot to tell us that you have accepted the role so theoretically you are now asking us how to serve notice as verbal acceptance is normally enough.

Posters who do this tend to get flamed as it makes us all look like rate jumpers messing clients and agents about. Others will say thats life and you have to look after number one.

Depending on how fast the agent/client has moved you could get into a bit of trouble here, nothing serious, bit of handbags maybe. Send the same letter still and see if they forget to hold you to your acceptance...

Just note on the comments about leaving an agent/client on good terms... Saying yes to a job and then screwing them over normally doesn't leave you with that option lol....

Might be bit of shouting but just stick to your guns and you sould be ok.