need some advice on turning down a job

J-rod wrote: well i interviewd a couple weeks ago for a company doing the same thing i do now...well got a call monday night with the job offer. i got offered the same pay i am now...but with their insurance costs ill actually be loosing $320/month. plus we think something better will come along and it would look better to have been with same company 2+ years rather than one company for a year, another for a year etc.


so what is the best way to turn down a job and not burn a bridge because something may come up to where youd like to apply for a job with their company again someday.


edit - boss at current job gave me a rais on monday (not even knowing im looking for a new job)

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Politely explain what you just did. Insurance coverage is important to you and your family and the added expense takes away from your paycheck. You're sorry, but you can't afford to take what equals a pay cut.

Old Mom Hubbard replied: Here is are some great sites for ideas on "Thank you for the offer...but..."

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/careeradvice...t/jobreject.htm
Job Rejection Letter
When you have decided to reject a job offer, you may want to let the employer know in writing that you are declining the offer. Your letter should be polite, brief, and to the point. You don't want to burn bridges and this employer may have a better offer for you down the road. So, don't get into any specifics. Even if the hours are awful, the work environment is terrible or the pay isn't enough to make ends meet, don't mention it.

There are some sample letters here too.

Another site to check out-
http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/Declining.htm
looks to be very informative with sample letters as well. Again, NO MENTION of benefits etc...sorry, just not good to do and as the first link info says, maybe better offer down the road so do not want to burn any bridges. I turned down a few jobs in my years, and KNOW from my first reject for a job where I told them I could not afford to work at a pay cut and all, well they had a better job come up but of course did not even think about offering it to me. After that, I kept it as per these suggestions. Best of luck to you there.

Hope these help.

J-rod replied: but both of those pertain to taking another job...my whole problem is the salary/benefits/insurance.

Old Mom Hubbard replied: If you took the other job, well what my husband does is pay for his OWN insurance and found it MUCH less pricey than if he was insured through the company, is this something of a possibility? We had Sharp through the company he works for but rates went up, up, up along with bills yet his salary stayed the same...so he pays for his own ins out of pocket and it is cheaper yet same quality through Kaiser.

Oh, we have one son and it is MUCH CHEAPER for us to have our son on his own ins plan and he with spouse a separate plan and is MUCH cheaper than "family plan."

coasterqueen replied:
ITA. You never know, they may offer you more .

Has worked for me in the past

Old Mom Hubbard replied: from what you said, I took it you are still working and employed?
"well i interviewd a couple weeks ago for a company doing the same thing i do now...well got a call monday night with the job offer. i got offered the same pay i am now...but with their insurance costs ill actually be loosing $320/month. plus we think something better will come along and it would look better to have been with same company 2+ years rather than one company for a year, another for a year etc. "...So are you being "downsized" or is the job you are at secure for now?

Old Mom Hubbard replied: Just read boss gave you a raise too...I would stick around and wait for something truly better for you. A raise-Maybe you can get your boss to call my hubbie's boss?

kidding there...but hey, that is a sign your job looks secure.

J-rod replied: no my job is here until i leave. my boss has given me 5 raises in 12.5 months. he is very good to me....if he had insurance and benefits...id be set to retire here.

i called and priced insurance from a few companies and its ~800/month.

Calimama replied:
Exactly!

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
holy crap.... that's my morgage.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
J-rod, I would just be honest. Don't write a letter, call them and explain. It looks more professional. It's no different than when companies send out a general generic letter to possible employees, it's just not personal. If you call and make it personal and explain you would LOVE to take the job, however, you can not at this time because of the money you'd be losing to paying benefits, they will understand. Then conclude you would really like to be thought of as other jobs open up on the future because you really like the company (kiss some butt if you can), but right now you just can't afford to take any kind of pay cut with money you bring home.