Best way to say "no thank you" to interviewed doulas?

[mb05]

Hello... What is the most appropriate way to say "thanks, but no thanks" to a doula you interviewed? The doulas I did interview were awesome, but I think it came down to a personality issue and how we clicked during our meeting.

Do I say nothing or something?

Thanks!

[cathicog]

I would just call the others back and say "thank you for the interview, but we have decided to go with someone else." Very courteous, and simple. It also leaves a good feeling, if you do need to use one of them later...I have been turned down this way, and it is easy to handle(from the doula standpoint).

[Mamma Mia]

"We interviewed quite a few doulas and we liked you very much. In the end, we found another doula we also liked very much and feel like she is a better fit for us personally. We are happy to refer our friends to you, however, and hope that you have very good luck in your business."

Or some such thing.

[ldsapmom]

As a doula, I do not expect to hear back from people if they aren't going to hire me. In fact, I don't know that I ever have. I just leave the interview letting them know I hold their spot for a week (unless I get another inquiry within that week; then I let them know I call them to allow them priority if they were undecided or if they had not gotten back to me yet). Unless you specifically said you would let them know either way, you may not need to contact them -- I think that's how it goes for many of us -- if we aren't contacted, we aren't contracted.

[MsBlack]

As a mw, like the pp, I don't expect callbacks from those who've decided not to hire me. In fact, when we interview I always say--'think it over, talk to other mws, whatever you need to do to make this decision. I'll know if you call me again, that you decided to hire me'. Most who choose elsewhere do not call back and that is fine with me. Occasionally someone does call or email to say 'no thanks'--and they use the kind of simple and courteous/friendly messages that were mentioned here already. Once as a client interviewing mws, I did go so far as to name 'issues' I had with one mw w/whom we'd actually done a couple of prenatals, actually-so it seemed more important to do this when we changed our minds. Besides, the woman really bugged me! She ended up telling other mws in the community that I was 'dangerous' ! but it didn't impact our ability to get the mw we wanted in the end. With the others, I just dropped a quick note thanking them for their time and saying that we'd found 'the perfect match'.

[homebirthing]

I always tell families to please let me know either way. I might choose to interview with another family due around the same time, and it is nice to know if I can do that or not. If you are uncomforable about calling, send an email saying that you have chosen another doula. We are a very non competive bunch and are very supportive of each other. None of us are God's gift to every birthing woman!!

Sarah