how to decline an accepted government tentative offer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s fine to decline but will be hard not to burn bridges.

That depends on the people. I have never seen a burned bridge over something like this, just a very frustrated team annoyed that the process messed up another great candidate.

[Anonymous]

Decline ASAP so that they can still try for their #2 person that they interviewed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it ok to withdraw from a firm offer after it has been accepted?

You’ll be burning a bridge, but that’s life. Once you accept and then back out, that’s when there are hard feelings. Why? Because once you accept they cut loose the other candidates.

Definitely don't want to "burn a bridge," but what was said in the interview changed as the process progressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it ok to withdraw from a firm offer after it has been accepted?

You’ll be burning a bridge, but that’s life. Once you accept and then back out, that’s when there are hard feelings. Why? Because once you accept they cut loose the other candidates.

Is that true at the tentative offer stage? It’s more likely after you clear security but this is just the way hiring goes. Good managers won’t consider the bridge burned.