If you've been offered an internship, congratulations! It means the organization thinks highly of your skills and wants you on their team. Internships are great for gaining real-world experience and learning from professionals. But sometimes, it's not the right time to accept one. You might have other plans, like taking a gap year, or maybe you have another offer that fits your goals better.
No matter the reason, you should know how to reject an internship offer politely. This way, you keep a good relationship with the company for future opportunities.
Why You Might Reject an Internship Offer
Even though internships are valuable, you don't have to accept every offer. Here are some reasons why you might decline:
- Another Internship: If you have multiple offers, choose the one that best fits your goals and needs.
- No Pay: Unpaid internships can be hard if you need the money. Paid internships often lead to job offers more than unpaid ones.
- Doesn't Fit Career Goals: If the internship doesn't help you build the skills you want, it might not be worth your time.
- No New Skills: Internships should teach you new things. If this one doesn't, look for another that does.
- Bad Schedule: Make sure the internship fits your schedule. If you're a student, daytime internships might not work.
- No Job Path: If the internship likely won't lead to a job, you might prefer one that does.
How to Reject an Internship Offer?
Here's how to go from getting the offer to politely rejecting it:
Getting the Offer
You'll likely get an internship offer through email or phone after applying and interviewing.
Evaluating the Offer
Take your time to decide if the offer is right for you. Ask for the offer in writing and think about the pros and cons. Get advice from trusted people and set a time limit for your decision.
Rejecting the Offer
If you decide to reject the offer, do it politely and professionally. Here’s how:
- Show Appreciation: Thank the company for the offer and their time.
- Be Honest: Briefly explain why you're declining. Be honest but respectful.
- End on a Positive Note: Wish them well and suggest staying in touch.
- Proofread: Make sure your email is error-free.
- Send It: Send your rejection as soon as possible to show you respect their time.
Example Rejection Letters
Use these templates to help write your rejection letter:
Dear Mr./Mrs., / Dear {{Recipient's Name}},
Thank you for the time and effort you spent considering me for a position as seminar
intern. I appreciate your time and effort -- as well as those of your staff. I am grateful for
your offer to serve and learn as an intern.
Because I was so impressed with your organization, I had a difficult decision to make.
After much thought and careful deliberation, however, I have decided not to accept your
offer. I wish you and your employer the best continued success. I hope our paths will
cross again in the future.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely, / Sincerely,
Making the right decision for yourself is important. You now know how to reject an internship offer politely and maintain good relationships. This helps you stay true to your goals and keeps future opportunities open. Thus, we provide this standardized Internship Rejection template with text and formatting as a starting point to help professionalize the way you are working. Our private, business and legal document templates are regularly screened by professionals. If time or quality is of the essence, this ready-made template can help you to save time and to focus on the topics that really matter!
Using this letter template guarantees you will save time, cost and effort! It comes in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace format, is ready to be tailored to your personal needs. Completing your document has never been easier!