6 Times It’s Smart To Say ‘No’ to a Career Opportunity

Getting offered a new career opportunity is quite an achievement. It’s a testament of your hard work and can feel especially rewarding if you’ve been striving for it.

If the opportunity aligns with your goals, then you’re in great shape!

You accept the promotion or opportunity and move into it with confidence and fierce determination.

But what if the opportunity doesn’t align with your goals, you’re already feeling burnt out, or, for whatever reason, you’re just not into it? 

When is it smart to say “no” to a career opportunity?

Women in the workforce have an entirely different undertaking than many men do. It’s not uncommon for women to struggle with asserting themselves and advocating for their best interests. Whether or not you feel comfortable and empowered to express yourself largely depends on your environment and company culture.

If you find yourself trying to toe the line between asking for what you need and saying no to the projects that don’t serve your bigger goals, you’re not alone. 

It is well within your bounds in your professional workplace to let your managers and team know when you’re the right fit for a project and when you’re not. 

As you read through the scenarios below, empower your future self to…

• Say no graciously and outright when you know the opportunity isn’t right for you.
• Ask for time to consider your options and align with your goals.
• Let your team know you need to connect with your family and other obligations first.
• Request the resources you need to succeed if you do accept the challenge.

It’s always okay to say no to a career opportunity, regardless of ‘why’. You know what’s best for you in the long run, and you’ve got to trust your instincts. 

If you need further justification, below are six scenarios when it makes perfect sense to exercise your right to pass on an opportunity that doesn’t serve you.

(PS: Don’t miss my recommended reads for navigating a successful, fulfilling career at the end of this post).

6 Times It’s Smart To Say ‘No’ To A Career Opportunity

1. You Feel Uncomfortable or Something Doesn’t Feel Right

Opt-out of any work situation that leaves you feeling unnecessarily on edge, uncomfortable, marginalized, vulnerable, or over-worked.

While a challenging work experience can pay off, it’s not worth it if you have to put your mental health at stake or second-guess your intuition. You’ll likely immediately regret the commitment you’ve made, which leads to resentments.

Listen to your gut and say “no” if the career opportunity doesn’t excite you.

2. You Just Don’t Have The Extra Time

If the career opportunity is a substantial imposition on your time, weigh your options carefully. Can you make peace with what you’ll end up sacrificing by taking on the extra workload?

Will the move mean less time to spend with your family, friends, or on your hobbies?

If choosing work will drain your energy and leave you feeling more exhausted than fulfilled, it’s worth reconsidering (or negotiating for terms that better align with what you need).

3. It Will Distract or Deter You From Your Goals

More often than not, a new opportunity will align with your bigger goals. But every once in a while, opportunities come up that align with the goals for the company or your manager more than your own. It might feel like your manager has more say in what your future looks like than you do.

If you feel like taking this new challenge will ultimately hold you back from the things you want to pursue, it’s safe to pass. Don’t fall into the habit of people-pleasing at the cost of your own ambitions.

Sometimes it’s just as meaningful to move away from opportunities that don’t serve you as it is to move toward those that do. Do so with confidence!

4. The Pay Doesn’t Accommodate The Extra Work

Hopefully, if your new career opportunity comes with additional responsibility, a raise is a part of the conversation. While it’s always tempting to accept a pay increase of any size, think about the extra output of energy and time your manager expects from you.

If the raise feels commensurate to what your new role will demand of you – go for it!

But if you find the workload would stretch your limitations, consider asking for more money. Learning how to successfully negotiate is an excellent skill to have, and it only gets better when you practice it.

5. It Will Cost You Money Out of Pocket

Is your employer asking you to spend your own money to get ahead?

Most companies will reasonably cover expenses for travel, relocation, continuing education, office supplies, and other work-related endeavors. What would be expensive for an individual employee to pay for out-of-pocket is just a drop in the bucket for most companies.

It’s a red flag if you’ve got to fund a career opportunity your company could (and should) cover, especially if they’re the ones asking you to pursue the opportunity.

6. You’re Worried It Will Negatively Impact Your Mental Health

The bottom line: no career opportunity is worth sacrificing your mental or emotional health or happiness. While work is work, and definitely not always going to be a walk in the park, it shouldn’t put you in a state of routine distress.

Give yourself permission to take a pass on anything elective that threatens your sanity. There are plenty of opportunities in the world when you lean into an abundance mindset. Life is too short to make big sacrifices without the right boundaries and ample time for R&R.

Recommended Books + Workbooks

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