How to politely say no to a job offer

[oddfanatic]

let's say you got accepted to two hospitals and you want to work at one more than the other, and you've already formed a relationship with the one that you don't want to work to....

what are the proper manners for that? do you send a thank you letter?

and if so, what do you write on the letter?

clueless.

[justme1972]

I am so glad I found this topic!

I have a related question: I applied at three hospitals for the same position; I now have interviews with all three in the coming 10 days.

My question is this: how does one gracefully keep from committing to one until all three interviews/offers are done?

What I mean to say is, my first choice position is the last interview. I don't want to turn down a perfectly good job at a place I could happily work if my first choice position doesn't work out, however!

Anytime I have been offered a job, I ask for 24 hours to think about it, etc.

Accepting jobs on the spot can cause you to make poor decisions regarding salary and other benefits that you may need time to think about once the "Whew, I got it!" wears off :)