How to Reply to A Job Rejection Letter With Ready-To-Use Examples

“Dear Andy Scott

Thank you for your bland email entirely undervaluing my skills and abilities. Having looked further into your company, I can see that I’ve had a narrow escape. I am glad you saw fit to free me from what could quickly have become an energy-sapping draw on my creativity and will to live.”

Okay, so that’s how NOT to do it (however much you might want to). When you receive a rejection from a job you wanted, the rejection can sting.

One of the critical skills you can develop when applying for jobs is to become blasé about rejection. Indeed, you can even learn to let rejections spur you on to greater levels of determination.

However, it’s never wise to slam the door shut on any possibility, however slim, so it can be worth replying to such emails with a polite and humble response. “We’ll keep your resume on file should a more suitable vacancy arise” can sometimes prove more than a mere pleasantry.

Below are five tips for how to get this delicate balancing act right.

Five tips for how to reply to an employment rejection

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1. Don’t sound bitter

The odds are never on your side when you apply for jobs. Some employer, like Google, only hires around 0.2% of applicants. No more than 2%-5% of applicants are commonly offered interviews for any corporate position.

These odds mean that many fine candidates are often ruled out although they could have done very well on the job. It’s a well-known fact that interviews are not a great tool to predict job success.

2. Be polite

It impresses employers when rejected candidates treat them with respect, since it demonstrates good character and a well-adjusted attitude to rejection. Remember that your name may enter an HR database and pop up in future searches, should you apply for another role at the same company.

3. Be helpful

You don’t know whether your application may just have been edged out of consideration. If someone drops out of the running, it’s advantageous to have left the door open. Simply saying “feel free to get back in touch with me if things change” can make all the difference in such a scenario.

4. Thank them for feedback

If they took the time to give you feedback on your application, don’t forget to thank them. You can politely ask for feedback if none was provided, but don’t insist and don’t be surprised if they simply don’t have the time.

5. Ask about other roles

Again, a politely worded inquiry can occasionally lead one HR manager to hand your resume to a colleague. By reiterating how much you’d love to work for the organization, you’re showing genuine interest and enthusiasm. It may be a long shot, but it costs little to implement such a strategy.

Bonus Tip: You should go into the interview knowing that you’re going to nail it. But if you’re interviewing a lot, having a ready-to-go and easily personalizable rejection response template can help you sound professional when your feeling emotional.

Five sample replies to job rejections

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