Career paths are unpredictable. This holds true for medical device sales. It is important to conduct yourself in a professional and courteous manner as you navigate through job interviews. This includes handling rejection gracefully and turning down jobs in a tactful manner. As you never know what the future may hold. Down the line you may desire to work at a company that doesn’t make sense at the moment, or you may run in to the same hiring manager at a different company. In this article we cover the correct way of how to withdraw an application for a job.
How To Withdraw From Recruitment Process
1. What Is The Interview Process?
It can take awhile to get a job. It is never as as simple as a single interview. Practically, every company has an interview process. This includes a screening with HR or a recruiter, phone interviews, in-person interviews, and even interview panels. To get the job you need to present well throughout this entire process.
Most people are typically interviewing at multiple companies. It is more efficient to explore all the options out there because the job search process is uncertain. So there may be a time in which you get an offer, and then need to opt out of future interviews with another company. Or maybe throughout the first couple of interviews you realize a job is just not a good fit for you. It could be the compensation, the culture, or really any factor that resonated with you. Regardless, it is important to withdraw from the recruitment process in a professional manner.
Related: Click here to read more about the Medical Device Interview Process
2. How Long Does The Hiring Process Take?
The Career Marketing Centre states that the typical job search can take two to six months. In medical sales the job search can be upwards of one to two years for a candidate with no industry experience.
The definition of the hiring process is once a candidate has engaged in the applying and interviewing for a specific role. The hiring process can take upwards of three months, sometimes even longer. In my experience, I would say the average is six to eight weeks for the medical device space. This can be excruciatingly slow for candidates. Especially if you don’t currently have a job. But it is most effective to approach the hiring process knowing things move slowly.
The reality is companies and hiring managers have many other day to day priorities. Hiring is just another task. In addition, the back and forth with HR usually makes things drag on even longer.
3. How To Ask About Next Steps In Interview Process?
You never want to end a discussion confused on the next steps. There is no need to awkwardly keep talking in hopes that the hiring manager mentions something about the future. Just ask! If the company is not interested in you as a candidate, it is usually pretty clear. Here are a couple different ways to phrase asking about the next steps:
- What are the next steps in the interview process?
- I look forward to continue learning about the role. When should I anticipate hearing back?
- I appreciate the consideration for the role. Do I have your support as I move forward in the process?
- Does my background and skillsets align with you are looking for in this role?
Related: Click here to learn about common Medical Sales Interview Questions And Answers
4. How Do You Tell A Company You Are No Longer Interested?
Canceling a job interview isn’t exactly a good move. But there are times in which it needs to be done. According to AnnaMarie Houlis this includes when you’ve accepted a better job offer, you have other obligations you have decided to prioritize, or if you heard something about the company that doesn’t align with your values.
So how to withdraw an application for a job? First off, communicate clearly and well in advance. Don’t wait until right before you are expected to meet up with manager. Most of the time it will make sense to be relatively honest. For example, if you accepted an offer with another company you can state that you have received an offer from another organization and will be moving forward with the role. Indicate that you will be withdrawing from the interview process. Don’t forgot to thank them for their time! Also, phrase things in a manner which leaves further interaction open ended. You never know what will happen.
5. How To Remove Yourself From Job Consideration?
There is most likely three reasons you remove yourself from consideration.
- You decide to stay in your current role
- You accept another offer
- You decide the role is not a good fit
If you have spent a significant amount of time interviewing with a company you need to give the hiring manager a phone call. This is courteous and demonstrates a level of professionalism. The recruitment process is time consuming from the company’s perspective, and they will be disappointed to lose a strong candidate. If you have met them multiple times, I always recommend making a personal call.
You should anticipate follow up questions depending on your reason for turning down the job. The manager may try to convince you to continue with the process. But once you have made a decision, be strong. End the conversation on a respectful note.
In terms of the main takeaways for how to withdraw an application for a job, remember to always conduct yourself in a thoughtful and professional manner.
6. How To Withdraw From A Job Interview?
Okay, so this is a slightly different question. If you have just started the interview process and no longer want to continue the next steps are straightforward. It is acceptable to send a short and well written email explaining that you will no longer be continuing with the interview process. If you already have an interview on the calendar, note the specific day and time for the meeting that is being canceled. It is fine to be more vague in your rational here. At this point, the company is not very invested in you as a candidate. You are doing both parties a favor by not wasting anyone’s time.
Take a quick search around on Google. There are many template emails for opting out of an interview. Keep it short, simple, and professional. If there are multiple parties involved then make sure to include everyone on the communication.
7. How Do You Politely Decline Job Offer?
Again, the situation changes once you receive a job offer. This means you have completed the interview process and the company has decided they would like you as an employee. This is not situation where you can just ghost the interviewer. You need to remember the best practices of how to withdraw an application for a job. The company has spent time and resources to select you as a future employee. On the other hand, it is always necessary to do what is best for your career and family.
Here is the strategy behind turning down a medical sales job. In the medical sales space, it is not likely a manager will simply email out a job offer. They will call you and try to get a verbal commitment prior to sending the formal offer. This is to make sure that you will be accepting the job once HR works up the final paperwork. This can be tricky. You may not know you are getting the offer until you get the phone call. And no one likes to be pushed to make a decision on the spot. But do not show hesitation about accepting the role. This can change everything.
To navigate this situation, I recommend stating that you want the job and that you look forward to reviewing the formal offer. Of course the hiring manager will not be happy, if you end up backing out. But you really don’t have another choice.
The more optimal situation is when a candidate is told they are getting the offer and will have a few days to review it. But it can be difficult to predict how this part of the process plays out. It varies at every company and with every hiring manager.
Related: Click here to read more about How To Prepare For A Medical Sales Interview
8. How Do I Turn Down Job Offer After Accepting Another Offer?
In this scenario a candidate has completed the interview process and received offers from two different companies. First off, you need to decide which job you plan to pursue. It is important to make a decision and be firm on the next steps. If you seem unsure during your communications, it will not be a good look with either company.
Also, don’t play games. Once you accept the preferred offer, let the other company know. If you are waiting for the formal offer letter it is alright to hold out for a few days. Of course, you don’t want to turn down a job offer and see the other one not come through. But communicate promptly so no bridges are burned during the process.