Regardless of why you choose to turn down a job, there are ways to do it so you don't close the door for later. Here are some tips you may find useful:
* Let the employer know once you've made your decision, so you don't keep them waiting unnecessarily.
* Use the personal touch. Speak directly to the person who made the offer to you. Be short and cheerful. There is no need for a lengthy conversation that leads to unnecessary details. You can say something like, “I really had to think long and hard about this because it seemed like a great place to work, and I want you to know how much I appreciate all the effort you've put in on my behalf. But after taking everything into consideration, at this point I have decided to continue my search elsewhere.”
* Say you will leave the door open to the future, when circumstances may have changed .
Rejecting a good job should not be taken lightly. Once the final draft is on the table, take a day or two to think about it. During this period you can evaluate everything about this opportunity and judge it fairly. If it doesn't meet your minimum standards, you may be better off refusing politely and looking further.
