YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

WHAT’S THE STRANGEST REASON YOU HAVE HEARD FOR WHY AN APPLICANT TURNED DOWN A JOB OFFER?

DARREN BUCHANAN MANAGING DIRECTOR, HAYS QUEENSLAND

A few strange instances stand out, such as when a candidate said the lack of an onsite gym was a deal breaker, or when the payment of personal mobile phone usage charges was not part of the package. In most cases, job offers are rejected because of the salary or benefits offered, a lack of career progression or growth opportunities within the company or because the candidate received a better offer elsewhere. The commute time is increasingly a factor entering into a candidate’s decision, as is negative comments left by former employees on company review sites.

SINEAD HOURIGAN BRISBANE DIRECTOR, ROBERT WALTERS

We have candidates turn down job offers for all kinds of strange reasons but that’s not the only strange thing that happens during a recruitment process. Last year, we were struggling to connect with a client who had been urgently seeking some assistance with hiring someone for their team. When we finally managed to get through to someone, it turns out the entire team had won the lotto syndicate and had taken off! But when it comes to good reasons why someone has turned down a job, my absolute favourite was the girl who had just bought a new kitten and didn’t want to leave it alone!

JULIE FORD SENIOR EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT, McARTHUR

Nothing too extraordinary, mainly the candidate decided they didn’t like the company or they didn’t wish to relocate (after telling me how much they did want to). A colleague told me about the time a candidate received an offer on the job of his dreams but he came back to her several days later and said he couldn’t accept because his wife said “no”. I have had candidates who disappear off the face of the earth after receiving an offer on the job they assured me was perfect – never returning calls or emails to confirm acceptance of a job they fought for. This always leaves me feeling bemused.

DR NERIDA HILLBERG DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, FERRIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS

A candidate phoned me on Christmas Eve a few years ago. He had given his verbal acceptance for a high-profile, senior executive role yet phoned to withdraw. I was dismayed at the timing and lack of consideration of how this may damage his reputation. He simply said: “The festive season is the wrong time to make big decisions!”. I then needed to call my client who was overseas enjoying his Christmas holiday with his family to deliver the bad news. This is quite different to the trend I’ve observed where executives are keen to align a new role with a new year. V1 - CCPE01Z01MA