How to Decline a Job Interview by Email (Sample & Examples Inc)

If you’ve been invited to interview for a job but have to decline the request, it’s important you do so in a professional and respectful way.

The last thing you want to do is burn any bridges in the business world, that can easily come back to bite you!

Here are some examples of how to decline a job interview by email samples included:

How to Decline a Job Interview by Email Samples

Examples of How to Decline a Job Interview without Giving a Specific Reason:

Hello [Employer],

Thank you for considering me for the [position] position at your company. However, at this time I have to respectfully decline your interview request.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Hello [Employer],

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the [position] position at your company. Unfortunately, I am not able to interview at this time due to a change in circumstances since we last made contact.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Hello [Employer],

Thanks for reaching out with this kind invitation to interview for the [position] role at [company].

However, my circumstances have changed since I submitted my application and unfortunately, I need to respectfully decline this opportunity.

I would love to stay in touch and hope we’ll have another chance to work together in the future.

All the best,

[Your Name]

Related – Here are examples of how to decline a job interview without burning any bridges.

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Examples of How to Decline a Job Interview With A Specific Reason:

Hello [Employer],

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the [position] position at your company. After giving it some more thought, I realized this isn’t the right job for me at this point in my career.

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Hello [Employer],

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the [position] position at your company.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to interview on the date proposed as I’m busy [on holiday/working] on that date.

I understand if you’re not able to accommodate me with another date.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Examples of How to Decline a Job Interview Because You Already Landed a New Job:

Hello [Employer],

Thank you for arranging an interview for the [position] position at your company.

Unfortunately, I have already accepted another job offer and am no longer available for an interview.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Hello [Employer],

I appreciate the opportunity to come along for an interview at your company and learn more about your organization.

However, since making my application, I have been offered a position at another company and have accepted their offer.

Therefore, there is no need for me to interview with [company].

Thank you for your time and understanding in this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Hello [Employer],

I was looking forward to hearing back from you with a date to interview, but my situation has recently changed.

I was offered a role as an [position] at another company last week and as I hadn’t heard back from you I accepted the role.

Hopefully, this doesn’t close the door on me working at [company], if my circumstances change in the future I’ll be in touch.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

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Examples of How to Decline a Job Interview Because You Don’t Agree With The Terms:

Hello [Employer],

Thank you for arranging a date for me to come in and interview.

However, after taking a close look at the proposed contract I have decided that the salary doesn’t meet my financial requirements.

Therefore I will save us both time by not accepting your interview unless you want to propose a higher salary.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Hello [Employer],

After taking some time to consider the whole package being offered at [company], unfortunately, I’m going to have to pass.

I’m looking for a role that offers more paid leave and a higher starting salary.

If you would like to discuss my requirements I’m happy to do so.

But for now, there is no point in me coming in and interviewing as it will be wasting your time.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Related content:
Here is how to tell your boss you have an interview lined up;
Here is how to tell if a panel interview went well;
Here is how to deal with mixed feelings about leaving a job you like.

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Tips and Good Etiquette for Declining a Job Interview without Burning Bridges

If you want to craft your own email or have a specific reason why you can’t take the interview that you want to mention, that’s fine.

Here are some general tips and good etiquette rules to keep in mind when writing your email:

• Be prompt – The sooner you reply, the better. Keep in mind that you’re making them change their schedule, give them as much notice as possible.
• Thank them for the opportunity – You don’t want to come across as ungrateful. Mention how you appreciate being given the opportunity to interview, even though you’re not going to be able to take it.
• State the reason why you have to decline to interview – This is important so that they understand why you’re declining and so that they don’t think it’s just a case of you not being interested.
• Be polite and don’t burn any bridges – Even if you don’t want the job, you never know when you might need them in the future. So it’s always best to keep things amicable.

I hope you now know exactly how to decline a job interview by email with the above samples.

It can be a tough email to send as you feel like you’re letting someone down or messing them around, but at the end of the day, it’s business.

Keep in mind that if you don’t want to take the job, you’re doing the company a favor by declining an interview!

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Image credits – Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash