Should I respond to a rejection email?
Well, let’s find out.
It is difficult to face a job rejection, especially after investing a lot of time pursuing it. We understand that responding to a rejection email is tough, but we recommend you consider it.
Unsuccessful job opportunities also have the potential to enhance your professional network. A simple gesture of gratitude towards the interviewer for their time, followed by asking them for feedback, can form a great impression in the long run.
Example 1:
Consider a situation where a hired applicant declines the job offer ; your little courteous act might make you the second preference for the position.
Example 2:
When you send a follow-up to a rejection letter, you encourage hiring managers to reach out if they are hiring for a position that would better fit you.
So, now you understand how a response to a job rejection email can leave a positive impact and in turn, be beneficial for you.
How to respond to rejection emails?
The following sections will help you find an answer to this:
- Why should you respond to a job rejection email?
- How to respond to a job rejection email?
- How to respond to a job rejection email template?
- Sample reply to job rejection email.
- Is It Ok to Ask for Feedback after Rejection Email?
Reasons to Respond to a Rejection Email
There is a high possibility that the hiring manager is impressed by you, yet for some reason, they ended up finding someone else slightly more suitable for the role.
To make the best out of this situation, you need to know how to respond to that rejection email politely.
You can exhibit professionalism and do the groundwork for a lasting relationship by responding to a rejection email. This can also help you open doors for future opportunities in ceratin situations.
So, please do not throw away all the past efforts you have put into the company by ghosting now.
Now comes the hard part, how to draft a job rejection email response?
How Do You Gracefully Respond to Rejection?
We understand the urge to simply look over that rejection email out of disappointment, but if you respond to it in the correct manner, it can benefit you in the future.
So, let's find out how to respond to a “thanks, but no thanks” email with these points. Keep in mind the following while drafting your response to the rejection email.
A Courteous Opening
We all know that an official rejection helps us better to move forward as compared to no response/update at all. For this, the least we can do is to extend thanks to the hiring manager for informing you.
So, by responding, you can return the gesture and remain respectful.
Example: “Thanks a lot for reaching out and letting me know. It was great meeting you, and although I didn’t get selected, I appreciate being considered for the position.”
A Request for Feedback
Try to frame your response as an opportunity to request feedback to grow and improve. Go ahead and politely ask for remarks once you have thanked them.
Based on company policies, they may or might not be able to discuss your evaluation with you, but there is no harm in asking.
Example: “In case you have any feedback, I would appreciate it very much as it will help me improve as a candidate for the future.”
An Offer to Remain Connected
You are likely a viable candidate even if you did not get selected at present. If you are still considering associating with the company in the future, inform the hiring manager that you are open to staying in touch.
Example: “I would love to keep in touch. Please consider me if you have any other job openings in the future that you think I would be a good fit for.”
Also read: How to send a message to hiring manager?
How to respond to a job rejection email template?
Your rejection response email should be a few lines only expressing your gratitude and requesting feedback if you would like any. Review this template to learn all that you need to include in your job rejection email response:
Dear interviewer's name,
Thank the interviewer for updating you on their decision and for the opportunity to interview with them.
Request to be considered for future job opportunities that the interviewer believes
you may be better suited for.
Use this section to professionally request feedback on your skills or resume layout, if desired.
Thank the interviewer again for the opportunity.
Best regards,
Your first and last name
Also read: Tips on emailing resume to a recruiter.
Sample reply to job rejection email
Below are two examples of a job rejection email response. Be sure to frame it as per the template above so that your reply does not seem like a generic letter:
How to Request for Future Job Opportunities?
Thank you for notifying me of your decision and for your feedback. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to reach out to me. Your professionalism is a great representation of what Company ABC offers.
If there is an opening that requires my experience and skills, I'm all ears. I would consider myself fortunate enough to have an opportunity to contribute to Company ABC’s [insert mission].
How to Ask for Feedback after Job Rejection?
Thanks a lot for following up and informing me of your decision. Although I’m disappointed by it, I enjoyed meeting you and the Project Head during the interview. I hope the project discussed during the interview goes well, and wish ABC Company every success.
If you have a moment to spare, I would be interested in hearing your feedback regarding my interview and application. I am sure any details you can provide would be helpful to my job search.
Many thanks again for the opportunity. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in the future.
Is It Ok to Ask for Feedback after Rejection Email?
There's absolutely no harm in asking for feedback in response to a job rejection email. Stated below are some benefits you can gain in this case:
- You will receive additional insight into how you can improve your job search
- You might learn something new about yourself
- You can show that you stepped-out of your comfort zone in order to learn and grow
- You open the door to future job opportunities
- You can move-on knowing that you gave it your best
Key Takeaways
We truly hope for you to find the courage to respond after getting turned down because honestly, this little step will take you a long way.
Let’s quickly recapitulate all that we have learned so far:
- Responding to a job rejection does the groundwork for future job opportunities, or even better, might find you another suitable role at the present
- A follow-up to rejection email can be beneficial in case the hired applicant drops out, then a little effort can make you the company’s second preference for the role.
- Make sure to thank the hiring manager for their time and response
- In some cases, you can also show your disappointment for not getting selected, followed by the urge to stay connected, if desired
- Make sure to ask for feedback as it might help in your job search and will leave a good impact on them.
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