What Can You Do If Your Job Offer Is Withdrawn?

One of the best things to her as a job seeker is “We’re pleased to offer you a position with us.” However, it is equally worse to hear the words, “Unfortunately, we will have to withdraw our offer of employment”. Even though a job offer being rescinded is not a common occurrence, it may happen for reasons unknown to the job seeker and could leave them in a state of panic or worry, not knowing what to do next. 

After being offered a job, it may seem like cruel and unusual punishment for employers to change their minds and withdraw the offer from the winning candidate. While you may not ever know for sure why you’ve lost the opportunity, there are a number of plausible reasons why this may have happened, which could include but aren’t limited to budget changes, hiring freezes, second thoughts, negative reference checks, poor negotiations, or simply another candidate.

So, what can you do if your job offer is withdrawn? Firstly, it’s important to respond to the news in a way that’s both positive and productive. While you likely feel upset and angry at this flip-flop from the employer, it’s best to channel your energy into figuring out your next steps rather than doing or saying something you might regret.

Start with checking in with your current employer, because it’s likely that you are on your notice period, and it is worth a try to buy some time. If the new job fell through partly because of fit and you legitimately weren’t sure you wanted it either, let your manager know that you realized that your current job is the right fit for you. Be careful if you do this, though, because if you plan to keep job hunting and expect to leave your job soon after, this strategy may backfire.

If this doesn’t seem like an option or doesn’t work out, consider other options (if you have any). If you applied to other organizations or have additional leads from your recruiter, then connect with them and check in with them about the status of your application. If you had any viable opportunities in play when you received the job offer, see what can be resurrected. Let other employers you’ve spoken with know that you’re still interested, tell your recruiter about your change in plans, and keep your resume circulating with previous possibilities you’d been exploring or considering.

Moments of a career crisis like this call for help from your professional network. If you’ve already announced to your network on social media that you’ve taken a new position, send an update that you’re considering other options and ask for leads. If you have a mentor at your current company or in your industry, ask for guidance, advice and assistance. If you’re working with a recruiting agency, request that they redouble their efforts to help you find a new position quickly.

As a last resort, you could also consider legal options. According to sources, whether or not you may have a legal claim against a company that rescinded your job offer depends on a number of issues. If you think your offer was revoked based on being part of a protected class such as race, nationality, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation and/or disability, you may want to consult with a lawyer.

Lastly, it is important to not let this affect your self-esteem or your confidence, as these things are often out of your control.