If you’re having a difficult time getting hired, it may be due to some common mistakes that turn recruiters the other way. Whether it’s because you’re giving vague interview answers, can’t explain constant career shifts, or a combination of several things, you may never know.
However, even the best candidates must grapple with rejection letters from their dream companies. It’s just a part of the process!
Actually, if you do find that a rejection letter makes its way into your inbox, it may not be as bad a sign as you think. Unfortunately for many, ‘ghosting’ happens all too often. Some people may not receive any kind of reply at all!
10% of job seekers have applied for 50 or more jobs without hearing back – The Undercover Recruiter
But even if you are receiving some email back, you may not feel the need to say anything in return. After all, you’re now out of the running for that position.
So, why reply at all?
Well, by continuing a conversation and maintaining your image as a professional candidate, you will end the interview process, leaving a good impression. If an opportunity at the same company or within the same team opens up in the future, you know who to contact! Basically, replying politely to a rejection email will help you end on a good note with the recruiter. You have nothing to gain by burning bridges, right?
Here are some tips on how to respond to a rejection email to help you find the right things to say.
Keep Things Classy With These Strategies on How to Respond to a Rejection Email
Rejection After Applying
If you receive a rejection before landing an interview, then you can narrow down the causes of why you weren’t selected. For example, if you only submitted a resume, then there was something within your experience or skill set that wasn’t a good fit for the job. Take these as an opportunity to fine-tune your future applications for similar jobs, or get more selective about which you do apply to. Knowing how to respond to a rejection email here should be easy peasy!
DO include:
- Thankfulness for time and consideration
- Short reply
- Enthusiasm for future opportunities
DON’T include:
- Lengthy argument of why you are a great candidate
- Request for a second review
Response example:
Hi *NAME*/ Dear hiring manager,
Thank you for your reply in regards to the open *POSITION* position. Although I’m disappointed to hear about your decision, I am thankful for having learned a bit more about *COMPANY* in my research through the application process. I will definitely keep my eye out for any additional opportunities at *COMPANY* that fit my skill set and experience in the future.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best wishes/All the best/Warmly,
*YOUR NAME*
Rejection After a Phone Interview ☎️
Phone interviews are a great sign that the recruiter saw a twinkle of something they liked in your application material! With this in mind, you can take a more personalized approach and speak to those strengths. After gathering your feelings and giving yourself time to cool down, it’s time to craft a professional response.
DO include:
- Thankfulness for time and consideration
- Specific details from your conversations
- Interviewer’s name
- Department or team name
- Enthusiasm for future opportunities
DON’T include:
- Negative emotions
- Request for further interviews
- Request for feedback on what you could have done better
Response example:
Hi *NAME*,
Although I’m disappointed to hear about your decision, I appreciate your reply and thank you for taking the time out of your day to chat. Through the application process, I was fortunate to have learned more about the great things the *DEPARTMENT* team is doing at *COMPANY NAME*. Our conversation about the team’s most recent innovations and the unique responsibilities of the role especially drove my interest in your company.
Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to exploring additional opportunities within the *DEPARTMENT* team and at *COMPANY NAME* in the future.
Best wishes/All the best/Warmly,
*YOUR NAME*
Rejection After an In-Person Interview ️
The process of waiting to hear back after a job interview usually doesn’t take as long as hearing back after first applying. This means that the interview should still be fresh in your mind. As a result, you’ll have plenty of details to include in your response to a rejection email!
DO include:
- Thankfulness for time and consideration
- Specific details from your conversations
- Interviewer’s name
- Department or team name
- Enthusiasm for future opportunities
DON’T include:
- Negative emotions
- Request for another open position or another interview
Response template:
Hi *NAME*,
I appreciate your reply and thank you for taking the time out of your day to discuss my qualifications in person. Through the application and interview process, I was fortunate to have learned more about what makes *COMPANY NAME* a leader in the *INDUSTRY* field. Our conversation about your thriving work culture and opportunities for professional development especially drove my interest in your company.
Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to exploring additional opportunities within the *DEPARTMENT* team and at *COMPANY NAME* in the future.
Best wishes/All the best/Warmly,
*YOUR NAME*
Should You Reply to Automated Rejection Emails?
So, what about those pesky auto-reject emails?
If you have any contact at all with a human recruiter along the application process, then you may want to fish out that contact info. Thank them for their time and consideration, even if you only exchanged an email or brief phone call. However, if you receive a generic email without having interacted with a single human, it’s safe to assume you don’t need to bother replying.
Don’t give up! Remember, it’s normal to get a “no thank you” here and there during the job-hunting process. Widen your pool and apply to great jobs at some of the best companies in Arizona.
