Candidate Rejection Letters and Email Examples
Updated: April 16, 2024Delivering rejection messages to candidates is an inevitable and often challenging aspect of the process. Rejections can be a sensitive matter, and it's crucial for recruiters to strike the right balance between professionalism, empathy, and clarity. Crafting a well-written rejection email can help maintain a positive relationship with the candidate and leave the door open for future opportunities.
In this article, we present five email templates recruiters can use to reject candidates who have applied for a job, covering various stages of the application process and candidate levels. These templates aim to assist recruiters in effectively communicating their decisions while preserving the company's reputation and leaving a lasting positive impression on the candidates.
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Example to Send After an Application
Subject: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Application Update
Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for your interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] and for taking the time to submit your application. We value every candidate who expresses interest in joining our team.
After reviewing your application and the qualifications of other candidates, we regret to inform you that we have decided not to move forward with your application at this time. This decision was based on the specific requirements of the role and our assessment of the overall applicant pool.
Please know that this does not reflect on your skills or qualifications, as we had many strong candidates apply for this position. We encourage you to keep an eye on our careers page and consider applying for future opportunities at [Company Name] that may align with your skills and experience.
We appreciate your interest in [Company Name] and wish you the best of luck in your job search and future endeavors. If you have any questions or would like to request feedback regarding your application, please feel free to reach out to me at [Your Email Address] or [Your Phone Number].
Thank you once again for considering [Company Name], and we hope to have the opportunity to review your application for a future role with us.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
Example to Send After a Phone Interview
Subject: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Phone Interview Update
Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to participate in the phone interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We appreciate your interest in our organization and the effort you put into the interview process.
After careful evaluation, we regret to inform you that we have decided not to move forward with your candidacy at this stage. This decision was reached after considering the qualifications of other candidates and our specific requirements for the role.
Please know that we truly value the time and energy you invested in the phone interview and your application. We were impressed by your background, and we encourage you to apply for future opportunities with [Company Name] that align with your skills and experience.
We wish you the best of luck in your job search and future endeavors. If you have any questions or would like feedback regarding your phone interview, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [Your Email Address] or [Your Phone Number].
Once again, thank you for your interest in [Company Name], and we hope to have the opportunity to consider you for a role with us in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
Example to Send After an Interview
Subject: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Interview Update
Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to interview with us for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We appreciate your interest in our company and the effort you put into preparing for the interview.
We had the opportunity to speak with several highly qualified candidates, and after careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we have decided to move forward with another candidate who more closely aligns with our current needs for this role.
Please know that this decision was not taken lightly, and we truly value the time you invested in the application and interview process. We were impressed by your skills and background, and we encourage you to consider applying for future opportunities at [Company Name] as they arise.
We wish you the best of luck in your job search and future endeavors. If you have any questions or would like feedback regarding your interview, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [Your Email Address] or [Your Phone Number].
Once again, thank you for your interest in [Company Name], and we hope to have the opportunity to consider you for a role with us in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
Example to Send an Executive
Subject: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Executive Candidate Update
Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for your interest in the [Job Title] executive position at [Company Name] and for investing your time in our interview process. We appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your extensive experience and qualifications.
After conducting thorough evaluations and speaking with several exceptional candidates, we regret to inform you that we have decided to move forward with another candidate whose profile more closely aligns with our current needs for this particular role.
Please know that this decision was not made lightly, and we genuinely appreciate the time and effort you put into your application and interviews. Your background and achievements are impressive, and we encourage you to keep an eye on our careers page for future executive opportunities that may better align with your expertise.
We wish you the best of luck in your ongoing job search and future endeavors. If you have any questions or would like to request feedback regarding your interviews, please feel free to reach out to me at [Your Email Address] or [Your Phone Number].
Thank you once again for considering [Company Name], and we hope to have the opportunity to review your application for a future executive role with us.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
Example to Send an Internal Candidate
Subject Line: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Application Decision
Dear [Applicant’s Name],
We want to express our gratitude for your interest in the [Job Title] position and for submitting your internal application. Your ongoing contributions to [Company Name] are highly valued.
After thoroughly reviewing all internal applications, we have decided to move forward with candidates whose qualifications more closely meet the specific needs of this position. While your application was not selected for further consideration, we encourage you to remain proactive in your pursuit of growth opportunities within the company.
Your dedication to [Company Name] is appreciated, and we look forward to supporting your professional advancement. Thank you for considering this opportunity.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company Name]
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