If you are in the enviable position of receiving multiple offers, then you are also in the not so enviable position of having to decline at least one of them. Pretty straightforward, right? Well, no, not so much. Part of the credit for your being in this situation goes to the organizations for recognizing your potential value to achieving their goals, but I am almost certain that the majority of the credit for generating the offers rests squarely with you.

So here you are facing a dilemma. After all your research, all your practicing just to be ready for one of those off-beat interview questions, all your hours of networking and smiling until you thought your jaw would never return to its normal position, and all the carefully crafted, not too pushy with just the right tone follow-up thank you notes, now you must tell some nice people that you do not want to work for them. Some items to keep in mind:

You are declining the position, not rejecting the individuals. The team of people who interviewed you expended time and energy to move the process forward so it just makes sense to be warm and polite and grateful when you tell them that unfortunately, you will not be able to accept their offer. Be genuine and thank each person individually. They will not forget you.

Do not string them along until the eleventh hour. If you know that you are not going to accept, communicate your decision as early as possible. The organization likely has other viable candidates and it’s only fair to let the company know your decision so they can reconsider the other contenders.

Be clear about why you are declining. You know how annoyed you were when that company you liked would not provide feedback on why they declined to interview you? Well, don’t do the same thing to a company that has extended an offer. Tell them that you are simply too far apart in terms of compensation, or that the role is not clearly defined, or that the responsibilities are too narrow, or whatever your actual reason may be. They deserve to know why and you should have the courage to tell them in a professional, objective manner.

Keep the door open. Nothing is forever, and there may come a time in your career when this very organization may look mighty attractive to you. They want you now… they may want you again… and you want them to remember you fondly, including a memory of how graciously and professionally you declined their offer. Moreover, after you have a year or two under your belt in a new position, you will be even more valuable to any organization, including this one.

Stay connected with the organization. Even though you declined their offer, once you are safely ensconced in your new role, send your new contact information to the people with whom you met and let them know you would like to stay in touch. Some of them may fade away, but it is likely that others will see the mutual benefit of staying in touch. At the very least, you can LinkIn and remain updated on one another’s comings and goings.

Declining an offer may not be a lot of fun, but declining with grace and style makes both good sense and good business for all.