I need to decline a job I can't seem to grasp.

December 1, 2021 6:41 PM

I just need a script to be both polite and professional and escape.

I used to pick up documents for a large company. This was a very fun job as I used to drive out to small towns and visit their courthouses. A part of the company changed hands and I offered my services to the new territory manager. She wanted me to get "certified" (so that I could do the proper entering of said forms; I was being a delivery person before that) and I agreed. The next two weeks followed the most difficult trainings of my life (no hyperbole). I've given it a really good go and decided I need to let her know I'm not going to be able to do it. If I can't master the material, how on earth am I going to enter the documents?
Anyway, I just need something professional and kind. Such as, it's not a good fit.

I feel bad, but it's not like they paid me for anything. Time is too short to struggle with things (besides feeling stupid). All vagueness is intentional.

Other thoughts to: [e-mail]

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (8 answers total)

I'm writing to let you know that I will unfortunately not be able to accept work doing widgeting with widget inc. as I had originally intended. While I was enthusiastic about taking on this role, in the course of doing the widgeting training, it has become clear to me that widgeting is not a suitable role for my skill set and I will not be able to meet your needs for a widgeter. I appreciate you offering me the opportunity and training and regret that it turned out not to be a good fit. I remain available to provide my services to widget inc. delivering widgets.

Don't feel bad! Even if they were paying you, this is a perfectly normal occurence I'm sure no one will bat an eye at and is a miniscule rounding error for a large company.
posted by lookoutbelow at 6:54 PM on December 1, 2021 [53 favorites]

They didn't pay you for two full weeks of training? Then you shouldn't feel bad at all.
posted by praemunire at 7:22 PM on December 1, 2021 [59 favorites]

This is to let you know that I am unable to continue in this position. My last day is/was 12/05/2021.
While I certainly appreciate the opportunity to explore blah blah blah, I am finding that the new structure and requirements no longer suit my skill set.
Once again thank you for this opportunity.
posted by calgirl at 7:36 PM on December 1, 2021 [5 favorites]

Do you still want the delivery job? You can talk to the same manager in person. Say "Now that training has finished, that job is not going to work out for me. I'd love to be the delivery person if that job is still available. Otherwise I'll turn in my resignation by end of day."
posted by CathyG at 10:22 PM on December 1, 2021 [5 favorites]

I think you are a very thoughtful person. Just be honest about your feelings. Who knows? The boss may have a solution you haven't thought of. Good luck.
posted by james33 at 4:55 AM on December 2, 2021 [4 favorites]

What james33 said. I was once offered a promotion that I was convinced I couldn't do. When I attempted to turn it down, my boss explained exactly why he thought I could do it. He was right and I took the promotion, which worked out fine. It is possible that you are a bad fit for this new job. Why not be honest about your concerns and if the new manager agrees, see if you can go back to doing deliveries if that was a great fit. Or just ask for that, as suggested by others, if that is truly what you want. Good luck!
posted by Bella Donna at 10:51 AM on December 2, 2021 [2 favorites]

Even if they paid you for two full weeks of training, you still shouldn't feel bad. If you didn't work out, two months down the road they'd have no qualms about walking you out the door. You can tell them "That training was very difficult for me, and I've decided I can't continue with this position. I'd be happy to go back to our old arrangement, would that work for you?" And you can tell them a little bit about what you found difficult, but don't let yourself get dragged into an argument. It's a kindness to them if you say, "I had a hard time understanding this material because a lot of it was new", or "I was ok at first but they went too fast", but all you have to tell them is that this isn't going to work for you.
posted by disconnect at 6:05 PM on December 2, 2021

Mod note: From the OP:

Thank you all. They were great with my script and she accepted my offer of doing my original work. I really appreciate all your thoughtful responses.

(Clarification I was training at night after my part time day job, so maybe 20 hours a week, but still.)

posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 7:15 PM on December 2, 2021 [4 favorites]