Send a thank you email if I'm not interested?

HilaryH1231

I interviewed for a position yesterday, and I realized that I"m not really interested in the job--it would involve me working in an area that I don't think is safe, and with a population with whom I don't really feel comfortable. I would normally email a thank you within 24 hours, which usually has some reiteration of why I think I'm good for the job and that I'm very interested in it. What do I do in this case? I feel rude not sending a thank you, period, but I don't want them to assume that I am interested in the job when I'm really not. 

ArtisticEngineer

I think that depends on whether or not you think you'd be interested in working for the company down the road. If this is a company you don't see yourself ever working for, I say don't bother. If you do decide to email them, be sure to let them know that you're not interested so they don't get misled. 

LindsaymR

I didn't send thank you emails for jobs that I was not interested in. I would feel bad if I sent one saying how great it sounds, they offer the position, and then I turn it down. If anything you could maybe send one saying thank you for your time, however I am not interested in this position.

HilaryH1231

Yeah good point...I don't think I would ever work for this company, since any position would require the same location and work with the same population. 

Dr.Loretta

I think you should still send one and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. You just don't have to reiterate your interest or your qualifications. If they call with an offer, you can politely decline.

MarcyLT

If you're really not interested and have made that decision, I think you need to call directly the person you've been in contact with. Thank them for the opportunity, explain that you've realized that this job simply isn't the right one for you, but that you are grateful they gave you the opportunity to interview. Having worked for a company (nonprofit) working in inner city neighborhoods, trust me, this happens all the time. And they'd rather have you say so now than take the job and be afraid.

HilaryH1231

MarcyLT:

If you're really not interested and have made that decision, I think you need to call directly the person you've been in contact with. Thank them for the opportunity, explain that you've realized that this job simply isn't the right one for you, but that you are grateful they gave you the opportunity to interview. Having worked for a company (nonprofit) working in inner city neighborhoods, trust me, this happens all the time. And they'd rather have you say so now than take the job and be afraid.

Oh I would never take the job in this situation. 

HilaryH1231

Dr.Loretta:

I think you should still send one and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. You just don't have to reiterate your interest or your qualifications. If they call with an offer, you can politely decline.

I think this is what I will do. Thanks! 

startingover2010

HilaryH1231:

Dr.Loretta:

I think you should still send one and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. You just don't have to reiterate your interest or your qualifications. If they call with an offer, you can politely decline.

I think this is what I will do. Thanks! 

I say that's a good call.  You never know if this person that interviewed you might end up crossing paths with you in the future.  Always better to leave that good impression just in case!

MrsWindyCity

Dr.Loretta:

I think you should still send one and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. You just don't have to reiterate your interest or your qualifications. If they call with an offer, you can politely decline.

This is what I would do, and did do. I did get a job offer, and I turned it down (for various reasons). It doesn't hurt to send the TY, and getting a job offer is never really a bad thing - even if it doesn't give you leverage, at the very least it makes you feel good.  

roar

Dr.Loretta:

I think you should still send one and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. You just don't have to reiterate your interest or your qualifications. If they call with an offer, you can politely decline.

This. You never know when you may run into this company again.  

jennifer0124

Send them an email that is a thank you but that after the interview you don't feel this is the position for you.  I once had a candidate who was fantastic but it was almost the same situation - crappy location, crappy pay and not a great workforce.  I ended up calling her up after I was at another company and hired her there.

bunnyfriend5

It doesn't sound like you would do this anyway, but I just wanted to add that I would not mention that you don't feel safe or like the population. I heard of people turning down jobs for those reasons and everyone would gossip about them, like "who does she think she is, it's good enough / safe enough for us". And different companies, especially social services, gossip to each other.