I would call and thank them for the interview. Then, I would say that that you are sensitive to cigarette smoke and can't work in an office that smelled of cigarette smoke.

I would do this if that was the only deal breaker. They might not realize and they can possibly correct the situation.

Since you can't work there, you have nothing to lose to explain the situation.

I go into a lot of non smoking office that wreak from the people who do smoke. Especially when they first walk back in after their break, so I wouldn’t say anything about it, I would just thank them for their time and say you don’t feel it’s the right position for you.

I'd tell them. It's a reasonable explanation, not to mention the truth. And who knows, maybe you'd be replacing the person who smoked.

However, I'd really like to know why one would NOT give this reason for not being interested in the position anymore.

Just tell them that you are not interested in the job. I'm sure they have others in line they are interviewing for the job. I'm sorry, but I had to laugh. I worked in an emergency room for 14 years. A little cigarette smoke smell would of been a breath of fresh air.

Thanks for the thoughts. Since I didn't walk out of there smelling like smoke, I suspect that as Luuk said, the odor may have been coming from one of the people. That being the case, I don't really want to basically say what boils down to "I don't want to work there because someone stinks of smoke."

Function, you may laugh, but when I left there after being there an hour I was completely stuffed up. Not to mention I don't want to be exposed to second hand smoke. I can only imagine what you were smelling in the ER.

I would absolutely tell them why if it is a deal breaker for you. Wouldn't you want to know why a qualified person said no? I would.

Jo

I, too, would tell them - esp if you might be interested in the job if the smoking situation is resolved. Like someone said, perhaps the person you're replacing is the one who smoked and the smell will eventually resolve.

I think there is a way to say the truth without insulting anyone, "I've become accustomed to a smoke free work place and I realized I forgot to ask you what your company police is on smoking in the office." If they say it's allowed, or that someone or everyone smokes, then I think it's a graceful exit to say that you don't think that it will be a good fit for you OR them.

Remember who holds the power here. They are making a decision about who to hire. Reality is if it isn't a fit for you, it is for someone else.

So you call and tell them you are going to pursue other opportunities. If they ask why, then you have an opening.

The question to Bluebell is, how much does she want/need this job? If job opportunities in Bluebell's field are plentiful, then, by all means, move on.

But if this one checked off all the boxes except the smoke-free issue, it might be to her advantage to speak up.

Good point, eld6161. Jobs aren't necessarily plentiful, per se, but I should be able to find something else easily enough. I'm not in a huge rush to make a change, so while this job does check most of the boxes, I don't NEED it.

I would be honest. They need to know they might be losing qualified candidates due to cigarette smoke.

I would also be honest. In addition to what joanie said (which is very significant), you NEVER know what opportunities will cross your path with this company in the future.

Thank you. I will definitely let them know. Honesty is the best policy, as usual, I just didn't want to offend or make anyone feel bad over something so personal. They do need to know for a variety of reasons. I appreciate the help!

I think too, phrasing it as "I need to work in a smoke-free environment because I am sensitive to the smoke," and then the ball is in their court.

I wouldn't give a reason unless pressed. I would just say it's not the right opportunity for you at this time. People are very sensitive to being told they're smelly and you don't want to leave a bad impression. I also would decline the job - I absolutely detest the smell of smoke (and I worked in a phlebotomy lab that collected urine and stool samples, on a farm, landscaping, in a laboratory dealing with heavy machine oil samples, up to my knees in a bog, etc so you can't call me squeamish!)

If they genuinely press you for feedback you could say that the atmosphere and people seemed like a great fit but unfortunately you are sensitive to the smell of smoke (then it sort of seems like you are putting the burden on yourself).

This is such a tough one. I have 2 people in my work group who are heavy smokers. They only smoke outside. But they stink so badly I can't stand to be around them. I honestly don't think they have a clue how badly they smell. There are times I'll walk into our small office and their stench is just over-powering to me. It's a musky, smokey, sometimes almost bad body odor stench that follows them like an invisible cloud.

I don't know what can or should be done in these situations. I support their right to kill themselves with those damned things, but wow I sure wish I didn't have to smell it. :(

Short of not smoking, I don't think there is much they could do about the stench though. Douse themselves in Febreeze?

I would NOT give that reason because where we live it’s quite common for places to smell of smoke. Does it make me want to gag when I step into an office that does, sure, but I think it would be offensive to say, your place smells regardless of why. It’s unnessary when a simple, the position isn’t a good fit for me works. That’s why I would NOT give that answer, it’s a personal opinion.

Unless you have a skill set that <1% of the population has, companies don't need to change to fit your needs. They are trying to find someone who fits in with their organization. So, if they ask why-then you owe them the answer.

Its similar to dating. You go on one date and decide you're not interested. What's to be gained by saying anything besides, it was nice meeting you but I'm not interested?

“I worked in a phlebotomy lab that collected urine and stool samples, on a farm, landscaping, in a laboratory dealing with heavy machine oil samples, up to my knees in a bog, etc so you can't call me squeamish!)”

Robo,
You are going to be a natural when it comes to diapers, LOL!

Okay, you guys, this is what I have decided to do: say absolutely nothing about the smoke smell. In thinking over the variety of reasons I might turn down a job, or have turned down jobs in the past, I haven't usually given too much information. Just as Lukk suggested, I have typically let potential employers know their position isn't the right fit for me - unless I could point to something like being required to eventual transfer or offered a salary I couldn't live on. They may interpret "not the right fit" however they wish. No one has ever asked, "oh how come?"

As mentioned above, I would never say something to a potential employer about bad BO or too much perfume, and likewise, don't really feel like it's my place to let them know the smoke smell bothers me. If I knew that information would be well received, that is another story, but because I can't be sure, I am just going to zip my lips about it when I give a call to withdraw from their consideration.

Thanks for thinking this through with me!

It's really interesting for me to follow this thread. No wonder my DD thinks I'm too blunt. On the other hand, it is also very typical of women's communication styles.

I'm surprised by the responses too. I think mentioning the cigarette smell is much different than mentioning BO, or too much perfume. If it were me, I would definitely mention it. Many people would be turned off by the thought of working in that environment and maybe the company doesn't realize that. I don't think it's personally insulting to mention it, but it does seem most people disagree with that.

No one I've ever worked with would say I'm a shrinking violet. But over the years I've learned where my power is when I speak up at the right time, with solutions rather than gripes, to the right people.

It's not about being willing to speak your mind. It's about speaking about topics that are pertinent. An equal amount of power is lost by speaking of irrelevant topics and choosing not to say something.

In a hiring situation, they are looking for a skill set and a fit. Either you are or you're not. If you're not, then someone else is. And they are just trying to get that one thing done. If they care about why, then they will ask .

If something happens in your current work environment, after weighing its importance, speaking out on the matter makes sense because you're already there, invested in the company's success and want to affect positive change.

I completely agree, which is why I'd mention it if I were interested in the job. But even more, I don't even see it as insulting, not to mention that asking for a no smoking work place isn't that outrageous or unusual these days. In my area, most employers are strictly non-smoking.

Second, the smoking smell could have a totally benign explanation and could be something trivial to resolve, and the job could be a perfect match for both sides. But you'll never know...

Quick follow up: I asked DH, say something or not. He only replied, Duh!