Candidate backed out after accepting a job offer for a higher salary. HR said, ‘If I were you…’

A candidate had already accepted a job offer, signed the paperwork and was serving his notice period when a higher salary changed his plans. Instead of reacting with anger, Delhi-based entrepreneur Kanika Jain responded with empathy. The candidate reportedly told her that he was the sole provider for a family of five and had loans to manage. Jain said she understood his decision, admitting that she might have done the same in his position.

Candidate backs out after accepting job offer

Delhi-based entrepreneur Kanika Jain took to social media and shared the story of a candidate who called to tell her he would not be joining her company after all. According to Jain, the candidate had accepted and signed the offer the previous month. He was already serving his notice period and was scheduled to join on August 4.

But before his joining date arrived, he received another job offer that came with a significantly higher salary. He decided to accept the new opportunity instead.

‘He didn’t need to apologise’

The candidate reportedly apologised while explaining his decision to Jain. He told her that he was the only earning member in his family of five and had loans to repay, making it difficult for him to turn down a substantially better salary. Jain said she told him that he did not need to apologise. In fact, she told him, “If I were in his place, I might have done the same.”

Her response shifted the conversation from a typical employer-candidate dispute to a more personal discussion about financial responsibilities and career decisions.

Why the higher salary mattered

For someone supporting an entire family, a higher salary can have an immediate impact on everyday financial security. Jain acknowledged that when a person is the sole earner, career decisions are often influenced by more than job titles, company reputation or career progression. Paying loans, supporting dependants and creating a more secure life for one's family can become major considerations when evaluating two offers.

In the candidate's case, the higher-paying opportunity appears to have been difficult to ignore because of those responsibilities. That perspective also explains why Jain did not appear to take the candidate's decision personally. Although the company had already planned for his arrival and he had signed the offer, she chose to focus on the circumstances behind his decision.

Jain congratulates the candidate

Rather than ending the interaction on a negative note, Jain said she was “genuinely happy for him.” She congratulated the candidate on his new role and acknowledged that accepting the higher-paying opportunity could be the right decision for someone carrying significant financial responsibilities.

A Delhi-based entrepreneur, Kanika Jain, shared how a candidate backed out after accepting her company’s offer because he received a much higher-paying job. He had signed the offer, served his notice period and was due to join on August 4. The candidate apologised, explaining he was the sole provider for a family of five and had loans. Jain said he understood his decision, adding, “If I were in his place, I might have done the same,” and congratulated him on his new role.