The Candidate Said No. Now What?
The Candidate Said No. Now What?
You’ve found the right candidate. They’ve interviewed well, they’re a great fit for the team and you make the offer.
Then they say no.
It’s frustrating, but before assuming it was all about salary, there are often a few other factors at play.
It’s not always about the money
Salary matters, but candidates are also considering flexibility, culture, career progression, location, job security and the people they’ll be working with.
Sometimes they’re not saying no to the job. They’re saying no to the overall package.
The recruitment process matters
Good candidates are often considering more than one opportunity.
A slow process, long gaps between communication or unclear next steps can quickly see a candidate lose interest or accept another offer.
You don’t need to rush the process, but you do need to keep candidates informed and engaged.
And then there’s the counteroffer
A candidate resigns and suddenly their current employer offers them more money, a promotion or promises that things will change.
It can be tempting to stay.
But if the reason they started looking was career progression, flexibility, culture or simply wanting a change, a pay rise may not fix the underlying issue.
This is worth discussing with candidates before they reach the resignation stage.
Ask the right questions
Before making an offer, find out what really matters to your candidate.
Ask:
-
What are you looking for in your next role?
-
What would make this the right move for you?
-
Is there anything that could stop you accepting an offer?
These conversations can tell you far more than a CV alone.
And if they still say no? Ask why, take the feedback on board and keep the relationship.
Because in recruitment, today’s “no” doesn’t necessarily mean “never”.
ARE YOU CURRENTLY LOOKING TO HIRE?
ASR Recruitment is a boutique recruitment agency specialising in Technology & Digital, Marketing and Communications, Accounting & Finance, Construction, Human Resources, Engineering, Safety, Procurement, Transport & Logistics, Manufacturing, Legal & Risk, Administration & Customer Service.
Find out more by visiting our Clients page!
Looking for a new role? Search Jobs here.
From our blog
Read our articles below to see our latest insights.
The Candidate Said No. Now What?
The Candidate Said No. Now What? You’ve found the right candidate. They’ve interviewed well, they’re a great fit for the team and you make the offer. Then they say no. It’s frustrating, but before assuming it was all about salary, there are often a few other factors at play. It’s not always about the money…
How do you sell a regional executive opportunity to a national candidate market?
How do you sell a regional executive opportunity to a national candidate market? When organisations in Newcastle and the Hunter recruit at executive level, one of the questions that often comes up is: How do we convince someone from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or further afield to make the move? The obvious answer is lifestyle. Beaches,…
What’s Really Driving Allied Health Hiring Challenges in Newcastle
What’s Really Driving Allied Health Hiring Challenges in Newcastle On paper, Newcastle should be a relatively straightforward place to attract allied health professionals. We have a strong local training pipeline through the University of Newcastle, which offers degrees across Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology and Nutrition and Dietetics. We have the lifestyle, a significant health…
When was the last time you had Career Check-In?
When was the last time you had Career Check-In? Many professionals only think about speaking with a recruiter when they are actively looking for a new role. However, there is so much to gain with regular check-ins. Whether you work in finance, human resources, marketing, operations, administration, technology, construction, engineering or another specialist field, staying…
Experience Doesn’t Replace Onboarding
Experience Doesn’t Replace Onboarding Onboarding in finance roles still feels like a gap. Yes, most experienced finance candidates have worked across multiple systems. Yes, they understand reconciliations, reporting, payroll, month-end, compliance and the importance of accuracy. And yes, sometimes a business genuinely needs someone who can come in and make an impact quickly. But experience…
Why “We’ll Just Manage” Could Be Costing Your Business More Than You Think
Why “We’ll Just Manage” Could Be Costing Your Business More Than You Think It’s a phrase we hear all the time. “We’ll just manage for now.” Whether someone has resigned, gone on annual leave, taken parental leave or your business has secured a major project, it’s tempting to absorb the workload and push through until…
The Engineering Roles That Didn’t Exist in the Hunter Five Years Ago
The Engineering Roles That Didn’t Exist in the Hunter Five Years Ago Why the local market has quietly transformed, and what it means for both engineers and employers Five years ago, in early 2021, you couldn’t have hired for any of these roles in the Hunter: grid forming BESS controls engineer, electrolyser commissioning engineer, REZ…
Your Career Futureproofing – Why Company Size Matters
Your Career Futureproofing – Why Company Size Matters I started my career in recruitment in 2001 – for context, that was the same year Apple released the iPod! Over the last 25 years I’ve worked through a wide range of economic conditions and had firsthand experience working in very different business environments, from global organisations to starts up with fewer than a handful of employees. As a recruiter, I always encourage…
The Value of Hiring Outside Your Industry
The Value of Hiring Outside Your Industry Why looking beyond “industry experience” can unlock real business value One of the most common requirements I hear when taking a brief is: “they must have industry experience.” Sometimes, that’s absolutely necessary. But more often than not, it’s quietly shrinking the talent pool – and in some cases,…
How AI Is Quietly Reshaping Work in Australia
How AI Is Quietly Reshaping Work in Australia Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in Australia. It has already become part of everyday work across industries, often in ways that are subtle but impactful. From automating routine administrative tasks to supporting complex data analysis, AI is steadily changing how organisations operate. Many employees…