Is it weird to wonder if declining a job offer was a mistake?

It's a very common human experience to reflect on past decisions, especially significant ones like job offers. After making a choice, the mind often plays out alternative scenarios, imagining how things might have turned out differently. This isn't a sign of indecisiveness, but rather a natural way our brains review experiences and learn for the future. Many people revisit these thoughts, even when their current situation is perfectly fine.

Research from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology indicates that counterfactual thinking, or imagining 'what if' scenarios, is a pervasive aspect of human cognition, occurring in over 80%

See other perspectives

Am I the only one who wonders if declining a job offer was a mistake?

Am I the Only One?

Does everyone wonder if declining a job offer was a mistake?

Does Everyone?

Is it normal to wonder if declining a job offer was a mistake?

Is It Normal?

Why do I wonder if declining a job offer was a mistake?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

you know how sometimes you find something like totally random and it just hits you in a WAY you didn't expect like a punch to the gut almost so i was cleaning out my grandmas attic this weekend which… …

path not taken

I was at a gallery, technically for work — auditing their financials, which is exactly as riveting as it sounds. …

path not taken

I push his stroller sometimes when we go for walks, you know? …

path not taken

i feel so dumb posting this but here goes — this is stupid but i was walking past the community garden today just after my microeconomics lecture and it just hit me. …

path not taken

Like, a moment of cognitive dissonance, I guess? …

path not taken

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop regretting turning down a job?▾
Focus on the reasons you made the decision at the time, and redirect your energy towards opportunities and positive aspects of your current situation. Dwelling on what-ifs rarely changes the past.
What if I declined a job offer and now regret it?▾
It's okay to feel regret, but recognize that you made the best decision with the information you had. Use this reflection as insight for future career choices rather than a source of ongoing worry.
Should I contact a company after declining their job offer?▾
Generally, it's not advisable to contact a company after declining their offer unless you have a compelling, new reason and are prepared for them to have moved on. Most companies proceed quickly with other candidates.

Have your own experience to share?

Share Your Story