The article really only sites one example, in my opinion, of how to politely decline an offer after being accepted for the position and that is by writing a letter. These days we don’t partake in too much postal correspondence, but writing a letter can have a significant impact.

In Kenneth and Linda Schatz’s “Managing by Influence” it is recommended managers write letters and mail them to their employees home to promote good work. The reality of receiving a physical piece of correspondence helps to relate the sincerity of the compliment to the employee. It also promotes good feelings towards the management by all members of the household, as the recipient is likely to share the letter with his or her family.

In a similar vein, writing a polite letter of declination is going to allow you to politely decline and state your reason for doing so. Extending the extra effort into polite, well-written letter will is likely to show your thoughtfulness, leaving the hiring manager with a good feeling about your choice and a positive memory as the final punctuation to your interview process. But a letter alone is not enough.

We move, do and communicate too fast for the postal service, these days. When you’re applying for a job interview the company may be on a strict schedule or urgently need to fill their position. You really should do a bit more if the letter is going to take more than one day to arrive to the hiring manager. A phone call or email is a bit more instantaneous and will alert the hiring manager to the fact that they’ve got to look at their second or third choices.

Whatever you do don’t accept the offer if you’re not sure you want it. It can have more negative ramifications than anticipated. For instance – what if the hiring manager at another company, where you’re also applying, communicates with any type of regularity with other hiring managers? Word could get out about your accepting the job and then declining.

The worst offense? Accepting the job and never showing up.

Remember, companies are comprised of people, too. Their employees deserve respect and politeness as much as you do. If you thought you wanted a job and it turns out you don’t that’s ok! Just let them know you’re no longer interested. They won’t bite.