Should I respond to rejection emails?

If you didn’t get the job but you received a rejection email (automated or not) it’s a good idea to respond. Especially if you receive feedback directly from the hiring manager or recruiter. How you respond and react to a “loss” is nearly as important as how you did in the interview.

It’s not fun. We’ve all been there. You’re incredibly excited about the prospect of working for a company. The role seems like a great fit, you and the hiring team got along well. You’re on pins and needles waiting to get your chance at the next step in the process. Then, despite all of that, in comes the dreaded rejection email.

Most people don’t respond to these emails. Whether the recruiter or hiring manager thoughtfully curated and wrote back with specific feedback, or if it was autogenerated. The candidates who respond always stand out.

How do you make your response stand out?

Send a gracious response, despite being disappointed. Be encouraging, and stay encouraged.

Show that your interest hasn’t waned, that you understand it’s all about timing. Let them know, you look forward to staying in touch and know it will work out when it’s the right role at the right time.

Still not sure what to say? Try something like this, but make it your own:

Thank you for letting me know, and for taking the time to interview me. Although I’m disappointed I wasn’t chosen for this role, I remain very interested in working for (Company name). If there is any feedback you are able to share on what I may do to improve my chances of joining the team, that would be so appreciated. In the meantime, I’ll continue to watch your open job listings for suitable positions.

OR

Thank you for letting me know I was not chosen for the (insert role title) position. Although I am disappointed, I truly enjoyed the interview process and meeting with (insert name(s) of people you met). I am confident that (Company name) will continue on it’s path of growth and success, and I look forward to joining the company in some capacity in the future. Please feel free to reach out if you feel there are other roles that may be a fit.

There are also those candidates who reply with anger or sarcastic comments. Obviously, that is never a good idea. Especially these days with Applicant Tracking Systems noting your every communication with the company, that email sent in anger could mean not being eligible for hire, ever.

Despite sometimes wondering or feeling like it’s just a bot turning you down, most times there is a real live person involved. Try to take a deep breath and come back to respond when you have a clear head. A positive note in response to a rejection email could mean you are the first to stand out when new jobs become available.

Connect with Liz Gehl on LinkedIn

Looking for some tips on how to handle gaps on your resume? Check out this article on our Headhunter Hints Blog:  How to handle job gaps on your resume