First, find out why. The most common reasons are a competing offer closer to home or paying slightly more, a counteroffer from the current employer, or a project assignment that no longer matches what was discussed. Decide quickly whether a counter is worth it; if the candidate only texted and has not called, the door is usually closed. The window between acceptance and start date is the riskiest stretch, so keep contact warm: a personal call from the hiring manager, start-date logistics, truck and paperwork details. Then get the search reopened immediately rather than waiting. Ask your recruiter how they screen for competing processes throughout.
