You recently received an offer to join a firm as a legal consultant. You are over the moon and immediately accept the offer, only to discover that you actually hate your new job. Two weeks later, you receive a call from your former employer, who wants to apologize for the misunderstanding and book you for a trial interview.
How do you politely decline the firm’s offer without hurting your professional reputation?
Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow when apologizing to a potential employer.
DO’s
1. Apologize Immediately.
Even if you don’t feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing, you have to show some respect and apologize as soon as possible. The person on the other end of the line will appreciate your apology, as they will feel that they were misled. Being late with an apology can seriously damage your credibility.
This way, the firm will appreciate your candor and you will not lose face in front of your team. Sometimes, this is all it takes to show respect and to set things right again. Sometimes, an immediate apology can even help you become friends with the person you offended. It’s always good to be more friends with your colleagues.
DON’T’s
1. Don’t Apologize Too Much.
You want to make sure that your apology is sincere and just what the person you offended may need to hear. Therefore, while you should express regret for what happened, you don’t need to go overboard and apologize for everything you have ever done or may do in the future. The more you express, the more you will seem like a fake. One of the best things you can do for your boss is to be upfront about your flaws. If you want to become a good lawyer, you need to learn how to properly and professionally apologize. Apologizing too often can even hurt your case, as you will appear weak.
2. Don’t Accept Any Apologies That Aren’t In Writing.
Even if the other person accepts your apology and forgives you, you still need to get it in writing. Sometimes people hide what they actually said behind closed doors. When this happens, you will never know if the person you apologized to actually accepted your apology. However, if you follow up with a handwritten note, it will make it clear that you mean business. It would be best to include a date in which the apology was accepted or declined.
This will help you determine if the apology was actually accepted and help you gauge the sincerity of the person you are apologizing to. If the person still wants to apologize, but doesn’t have the courage to do it in writing, accept the apology in person so that it can be recorded.
3. Don’t Say You Are Sorry For The Wrong Reasons.
Many people say they are sorry when they are actually not. It’s best to be up front about why you are apologizing and ensure that the person you are apologizing to understands what you mean. Tell your boss that you are truly sorry for missing the deadline and causing trouble. If you feel that you did something wrong, but don’t feel comfortable being specific, apologize for the general category of your wrongdoing.
For example, if you received an offer and you didn’t tell your boss that you were tempted by it, you can apologize for being deceitful. But if you accepted the offer, you should not say that you are sorry for being dishonest. It is better to say that you are sorry you did not reveal your true feelings earlier, even though you should have.
4. Don’t Get Rid Of The Apology Email.
It’s always best to follow up with the person you apologized to. You can do this by sending them an email thanking them for accepting your apology and letting them know that you will not be causing them any more trouble. You can also include a draft of your apology, so they can see that you have been taking the time to think of something. This shows that you are a team player and that you are willing to make amends. Your boss will appreciate your attention to detail and your willingness to apologize.
5. Don’t Forget To Follow Up.
When you send your boss an email to let them know that you have apologized, it is best to follow up with a call or a handwritten note. This will show that you are still taking the matter seriously even after you have apologized. Your boss will appreciate this and may even decide to forgive you. However, sometimes people are afraid that if they do something wrong, their reputation will be ruined. They may not want to speak to anyone or may feel that they are not worthy of being forgiven. In these situations, it can be frustrating because there is nothing worse than believing that no one will ever want to work with you again.
To avoid this, you can keep in touch with your boss and let them know that you still support them and that you want to be a part of the team. This way, your boss will know that you have changed for the better and that you are trying to make amends. Sometimes, all it takes is time for people to realize that you were just a pawn and that you did not mean to do what you did. You should be proud of yourself for taking the time to grow and change for the better.