Is it ever okay to decline a job offer?

It’s tempting to take the first job you're offered, especially since the entertainment industry is so competitive. But there are times you shouldn’t accept the offer.

For instance, if the job comes with a substantial pay cut without the opportunity to gain new skills -- like moving from Director of Development at well-known prodco A to Director of Development at unestablished prodco B -- you’re probably better off waiting a little longer for another opportunity, even if you’re bored as hell and can’t stand your boss at your current job.

If you got weird vibes during the interview, you should think twice about accepting the offer. Maybe your potential future boss has a reputation for being horrible to his direct reports, and you could clearly see the mascara-stained tears on his current assistant’s face. Do some research to dig up intel about the company culture or your prospective boss -- if you don't like what you hear, stay away!

Or, if you’re really looking for a place where you can grow, but the interviewer makes it clear that they don’t plan to promote unless one of the higher ups, who’s been there for a decade, randomly decides to leave or mysteriously disappears, this probably isn't an ideal situation. 

​In cases like these, you should hold out for a better fit.

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--Angela Silak & Cindy Kaplan