10 Candidate Rejection Email After Interview Templates in 2026
Send professional candidate rejection email after interviews with these 10 email templates.
Hiring managers have a tough job. Not only do they have to sift through a pile of resumes and cover letters to find the right candidates, but they also have to conduct multiple rounds of interviews to determine who would be the best fit for the job.
And at the end of it all, they have to let some candidates know that they didn't make the cut.
According to Zippia, the average corporate job opening receives about 250 job applications.
That's a lot of candidates that aren't hired. In order to let them know, hiring managers must send candidate rejection emails after they conduct interview, go through application materials, and decide on who they will ultimately hire.
Candidate rejection emails after an interview should be respectful and professional, but you also don't want to sugarcoat the outcome. While it's never easy to deliver bad news, a well-crafted rejection email can help candidates move on and keep your company's reputation intact.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how hiring managers can write effective candidate rejection emails after an interview as well as provide templates you can use to get started today.
How to Professionally Reject a Candidate After an Interview
The process of rejecting a candidate, while never pleasant, is a crucial aspect of the recruitment journey. It's important to approach this with a blend of professionalism and kindness.
The same way someone sends a thank you email after an interview, it's courteous to follow-up after an interview as a recruiter to inform the person of the outcome of the interview.
Here are some key tips for responding gracefully when rejecting a candidate after an interview:
Timeliness: Respond to candidates as soon as a decision is made. Delaying can increase anxiety and frustration.
Clarity: Be clear about the decision, but avoid unnecessary detail that might lead to confusion or false hope.
Empathy: Acknowledge the effort and interest the candidate has shown. A little empathy goes a long way.
Feedback: Offer constructive feedback, if appropriate, to help the candidate in future applications.
Politeness: Always maintain a polite and respectful tone, regardless of the candidate's performance.
Confidentiality: Ensure that the process respects the candidate’s privacy.
After delivering the news, it’s crucial to remain open to any questions they might have and respond with the same level of professionalism.
This approach not only maintains your company’s reputation but also respects the candidate's efforts and time.
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How to Write Candidate Rejection Emails After Interviews
Writing a candidate rejection email requires careful consideration to ensure the message is conveyed respectfully.
Here's what should be included in your candidate rejection email:
An Expression of Gratitude: Show that you're thankful for the candidate’s time, interest, and effort.
Your Decision: Clearly state that the candidate has not been selected for the role.
A Positive Note: Where possible, include a positive comment about the candidate’s qualifications or interview.
Your Feedback: Provide constructive feedback, if appropriate, to assist the candidate in future.
Some Encouragement: Encourage them to apply for future positions, if you feel they could be a fit later.
A Professional Closing: End the email with a professional sign-off, maintaining the respectful tone.
Before hitting send, it’s important to review the email to ensure it’s empathetic and clear.
Remember, the way a rejection is handled can significantly impact a candidate’s view of your company and can even influence their decision to apply for future roles.
Check out our 10 Best Apps for Recruiters for the best time-saving tools in 2026!
10 Rejection Letter After Interview Email Templates
Templates can be a great starting point for crafting rejection emails. They provide a structure that you can personalize for each candidate.
Give the following a try to quickly send professional candidate rejection emails with ease.
Copy templates to use them anywhere:
Professional Candidate Rejection Email Template
Professional Candidate Rejection Email
Dear {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
Thank you for taking the time to interview for the position with ACME. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and the effort you put into the application process. After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we have decided to move forward with another candidate for this position.
We were impressed by your qualifications and encourage you to apply for future openings at ACME that match your skills and experience.
Thank you again for your interest in ACME. We wish you all the best in your future career endeavors.
Sincerely,
Thank you for taking the time to interview for the position with ACME. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and the effort you put into the application process. After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we have decided to move forward with another candidate for this position.
We were impressed by your qualifications and encourage you to apply for future openings at ACME that match your skills and experience.
Thank you again for your interest in ACME. We wish you all the best in your future career endeavors.
Sincerely,
_
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Sample Rejection Letter After an Interview Template
Basic Rejection Email Template
Hello {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
We appreciate your interest in working at ACME.
We decided to move forward with another candidate, but we would like to thank you for taking the time to complete the application process, interviewing with our team, and allowing us the opportunity to learn more about your accomplishments and skills.
In the next few months, we will be posting several more job listings. We hope you will consider applying for these positions.
We wish you luck in your future professional endeavors.
Best,
We appreciate your interest in working at ACME.
We decided to move forward with another candidate, but we would like to thank you for taking the time to complete the application process, interviewing with our team, and allowing us the opportunity to learn more about your accomplishments and skills.
In the next few months, we will be posting several more job listings. We hope you will consider applying for these positions.
We wish you luck in your future professional endeavors.
Best,
_
'Thank You For Interviewing' Email Template
'Thank You For Interviewing' Email
Hi {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
I wanted to extend my thanks for taking the time to interview for the position with us here at ACME. It was a pleasure to learn about your skills and experiences.
After a thorough review, we have decided to proceed with a candidate whose qualifications more closely align with our current needs. This was a difficult decision given the impressive calibre of candidates like yourself.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in our company and hope you will consider us again in the future.
Best regards,
I wanted to extend my thanks for taking the time to interview for the position with us here at ACME. It was a pleasure to learn about your skills and experiences.
After a thorough review, we have decided to proceed with a candidate whose qualifications more closely align with our current needs. This was a difficult decision given the impressive calibre of candidates like yourself.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in our company and hope you will consider us again in the future.
Best regards,
_
After Careful Consideration Template
After Careful Consideration Template
Hello {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
Thank you for taking the time to apply for the position at ACME. We appreciate the time you put into completing the application and interview process and enjoyed getting to know you.
We interviewed a multitude of qualified candidates for this position and after careful consideration, we have decided to go with a different candidate.
We appreciate that you have completed our interview process and will keep your resume on file for future positions that become available and fit your skillset and expertise.
We wish you luck in your job search.
Regards,
Thank you for taking the time to apply for the position at ACME. We appreciate the time you put into completing the application and interview process and enjoyed getting to know you.
We interviewed a multitude of qualified candidates for this position and after careful consideration, we have decided to go with a different candidate.
We appreciate that you have completed our interview process and will keep your resume on file for future positions that become available and fit your skillset and expertise.
We wish you luck in your job search.
Regards,
_
Rejection Email With Feedback Template
Rejection Email With Feedback Template
Dear {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
Thank you for your interest in the position at ACME. The application and interview process can be time-consuming, and we appreciate that you completed the process. Unfortunately, we have decided to hire a different candidate. Your {formmenu: name=skils; default=experience of; skills with} {formtext: name=skills or experience; cols=16} {formmenu: name=is/are; multiple=no; default=is; are} impressive; however, we have chosen a candidate with more experience.
We will keep your application on file for future positions you may qualify for. Again, we appreciate you taking the time and effort to apply, and we wish you well for your future career endeavors.
Sincerely,
Thank you for your interest in the position at ACME. The application and interview process can be time-consuming, and we appreciate that you completed the process. Unfortunately, we have decided to hire a different candidate. Your {formmenu: name=skils; default=experience of; skills with} {formtext: name=skills or experience; cols=16} {formmenu: name=is/are; multiple=no; default=is; are} impressive; however, we have chosen a candidate with more experience.
We will keep your application on file for future positions you may qualify for. Again, we appreciate you taking the time and effort to apply, and we wish you well for your future career endeavors.
Sincerely,
_
Negative Interview Feedback Sample Email Template
Negative Interview Feedback Sample Email
Dear {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
Thank you for your interest in the position at ACME and the time you spent with us during the interview process. We value the opportunity to get to know you better.
After careful consideration, we have decided to pursue a candidate whose experience aligns more closely with the needs of the role. We believe in providing constructive feedback and wanted to share that while your qualifications are impressive we found that your {formtext: name=feedback; default= writing/editing skills; cols=20} were not up to our standards.
We wish you success in your job search and future professional endeavors.
Best wishes,
Thank you for your interest in the position at ACME and the time you spent with us during the interview process. We value the opportunity to get to know you better.
After careful consideration, we have decided to pursue a candidate whose experience aligns more closely with the needs of the role. We believe in providing constructive feedback and wanted to share that while your qualifications are impressive we found that your {formtext: name=feedback; default= writing/editing skills; cols=20} were not up to our standards.
We wish you success in your job search and future professional endeavors.
Best wishes,
_
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Nice Rejection After Interview Template
Nice Rejection After Interview
Hello {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
Thank you so much for interviewing for the position at ACME. We genuinely appreciate the time and effort you dedicated to learning about our team and sharing your experiences with us.
While we were impressed with your skills and background, we have concluded that there is not a perfect match for the role at this time. This decision was not easy, and we hope you won't be disheartened.
We believe you have a lot to offer and encourage you to keep an eye on future opportunities with us that might be a better fit.
Thank you again, and we wish you the very best in your career path.
Warm regards,
Thank you so much for interviewing for the position at ACME. We genuinely appreciate the time and effort you dedicated to learning about our team and sharing your experiences with us.
While we were impressed with your skills and background, we have concluded that there is not a perfect match for the role at this time. This decision was not easy, and we hope you won't be disheartened.
We believe you have a lot to offer and encourage you to keep an eye on future opportunities with us that might be a better fit.
Thank you again, and we wish you the very best in your career path.
Warm regards,
_
High Competition Rejection Email Template
High Competition Rejection Email Template
Dear {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
Thank you for taking the time to apply and interview for the position at ACME. The competition for the position was incredibly high, and we have decided to move forward with a different candidate.
We were impressed by your skills and accomplishments, especially your experience in {formtext: name=skill;default=marketing;cols=12}. We think you may be an excellent fit for upcoming opportunities with our company; therefore, we will hold on to your resume and contact you if we find a good match.
We wish you all the best in your job search and professional endeavors.
Kindest Regards,
Thank you for taking the time to apply and interview for the position at ACME. The competition for the position was incredibly high, and we have decided to move forward with a different candidate.
We were impressed by your skills and accomplishments, especially your experience in {formtext: name=skill;default=marketing;cols=12}. We think you may be an excellent fit for upcoming opportunities with our company; therefore, we will hold on to your resume and contact you if we find a good match.
We wish you all the best in your job search and professional endeavors.
Kindest Regards,
_
Position Not Filled Email Template
Position Not Filled Email
Dear {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to update you on the recruitment process for the position at ACME.
After careful consideration, we have decided not to fill the position at this time. This decision was not a reflection of your qualifications, but rather a reassessment of our current needs.
We were truly impressed by your background and hope you will remain interested in future opportunities with ACME.
Thank you again for your interest and the time you invested in the interview process.
Best wishes,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to update you on the recruitment process for the position at ACME.
After careful consideration, we have decided not to fill the position at this time. This decision was not a reflection of your qualifications, but rather a reassessment of our current needs.
We were truly impressed by your background and hope you will remain interested in future opportunities with ACME.
Thank you again for your interest and the time you invested in the interview process.
Best wishes,
_
Short and Sweet Email After Interview Sample
Short and Sweet Email After Interview Sample
Hello {formtext: name=name; default=John; cols=10},
We appreciate your interest in working at ACME.
We decided to move forward with another candidate, but we would like to thank you for taking the time to complete the application process, interviewing with our team, and allowing us the opportunity to learn more about your accomplishments and skills.
In the next few months, we will be posting several more job listings. We hope you will consider applying for these positions as your skills would fit in well with the upcoming jobs at ACME.
We wish you luck in your future professional endeavors.
Best,
We appreciate your interest in working at ACME.
We decided to move forward with another candidate, but we would like to thank you for taking the time to complete the application process, interviewing with our team, and allowing us the opportunity to learn more about your accomplishments and skills.
In the next few months, we will be posting several more job listings. We hope you will consider applying for these positions as your skills would fit in well with the upcoming jobs at ACME.
We wish you luck in your future professional endeavors.
Best,
_
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How to Automate Common Emails With Keyboard Shortcuts
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Whether you are sending a candidate rejection email after an interview, following up with candidates, or inviting them to apply to job postings, Text Blaze has you covered.
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Send Professional Rejection Emails With Ease!
Sending a candidate rejection email after an interview is an essential part of the hiring process, but can be time-consuming if your job opening recived lots of applications.
Use Text Blaze to simplify the hiring process once and for all. With Text Blaze, you can automate common messages to applicants, eliminate repetitive typing, and save time so you can focus on what's important.
