Job Rejection Letter Samples
A Job Rejection Letter is sent to candidates who have applied for a job but were not chosen as the candidate for that position. The rejection letter should be sent as soon as possible after interviewing with the company, and it should explain why the candidate was not selected.
The letter should be brief and professional. It should not include any personal comments about the candidate or their application, as this could lead to legal action. When writing a rejection letter, keep in mind that you may want to keep in touch with candidates who were not selected for positions at your company. The letter should be written in a professional tone and avoid any negative comments about the candidate. If possible, include an explanation of why another candidate or candidates were chosen over the applicant
Here are 5 Job Rejection Letter Examples ( click to download)
Sample Job Rejection Letter Templates
In the context of rejecting job candidates, maintaining professionalism, courtesy, and respect in communication is paramount. Below are 15 examples of job rejection emails constructed to adhere to these principles:
Email 1: Basic Rejection After Application Review
Subject: Application Update: [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for your interest in the [Position Name] at [Company Name] and the time you dedicated to your application. After careful consideration,we have decided to move forward with other candidates whose qualifications more closely align with our needs for this role. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and wish you all the best in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 2: Polite Rejection After Interview
Subject: Re: Interview for [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for taking the time to interview for the [Position Name] role with us. We were impressed by your skills and achievements. However, we’ve opted to select a candidate who matches the current team needs more closely. Your resume will be kept on file for future opportunities, and we encourage you to apply again. All the best in your job search.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 3: Detailed Feedback Email
Subject: Your Application for [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
I hope this message finds you well. Following your recent application for the position of [Position Name] at [Company Name], our team has conducted a thorough review. Although we were particularly impressed by your [specific skill/experience], we have ultimately selected candidates whose experience aligns more directly with our specific needs.
We wish you the utmost success in your search and future endeavors. Thank you again for considering a career with us.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 4: Short and Sweet Rejection Email
Subject: [Position Name] Application Status
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for your interest in the [Position Name] at [Company Name]. We have chosen to proceed with other candidates but appreciate your time and effort in applying. We wish you the best in your job search.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company Name]
Email 5: Rejection Email Keeping the Door Open
Subject: [Position Name] Application at [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for your application and the insightful conversations during your interviews. While we are not moving forward with your candidacy for the [Position Name], we were very impressed by your background and would like to keep in touch for future openings that better match your profile.
Best of luck in your search and future endeavors.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 6: Personalized Feedback After Final Interview
Subject: [Position Name] Interview Feedback
Dear [Candidate Name],
We appreciate the time and effort you invested in applying for [Position Name] with us. After careful consideration, we have decided to proceed with another candidate who more closely fits our needs for this particular role. We were particularly impressed by [specific positive aspect of the candidate’s interview or resume], and we encourage you to apply for future opportunities that align with your qualifications.
We wish you all the best in your continued job search and future endeavors.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 7: Generic Template for Automated Systems
Subject: Your Application with [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for applying to [Company Name] for the [Position Name] role. After reviewing your application amongst a very competitive pool, we have chosen to move forward with other candidates. We appreciate your interest in our company and wish you success in your job search.
Thank you,
The [Company Name] Team
Email 8: Rejection After a Long Selection Process
Subject: Update on Your Application for [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Following a thorough selection process for the [Position Name], we wanted to reach out to thank you personally for your patience and investment of time throughout. Although the decision was challenging due to the high caliber of candidates, we have ultimately selected someone whose experience aligns more closely with the role’s current requirements.
We are grateful for the opportunity to have met you and hope you will consider applying for future openings that fit your profile more closely.
All the best,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 9: Encouraging Future Applications
Subject: [Position Name] Role – Application Outcome
Dear [Candidate Name],
After careful consideration, we must inform you that we have not selected you for the [Position Name]. However, your profile and professionalism left a strong impression. Please consider applying for open positions with [Company Name] in the future that align with your skills and aspirations.
Best wishes in your search and career.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 10: Declining With Invitation to Network
Subject: Your Interest in [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for your application for [Position Name]. While we are proceeding with other candidates for this role, we found your background impressive and are interested in staying connected on LinkedIn. We also encourage you to keep an eye on our Careers page for future opportunities that may suit your unique skill set.
All the best,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 11: Rejection for Overqualified Candidates
Subject: Regarding Your Application for [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for considering [Company Name] for your next career move. Your qualifications and experience are undoubtedly impressive. After much consideration, we’ve concluded that the [Position Name] role may not fully utilize your extensive background. We feel it’s critical our employees feel challenged and engaged by their work, and therefore, have decided not to move forward with your candidacy for this position.
We genuinely hope you find a role fitting your admirable skill set and wish you great success.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company Name]
Email 12: Positive Tone Rejection
Subject: Your Journey with [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Your journey through the application process for the [Position Name] role at [Company Name] has been truly appreciated. While we are moving forward with another candidate, we hope this decision does not dishearten you. The decision was immensely difficult, given your evident potential and the enthusiastic discussions we’ve had.
We wish you nothing but success and hope to cross paths again in the future.
With respect,
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company Name]
Email 13: Rejection with Transparency
Subject: Decision on [Position Name] Application
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for your application to the [Position Name] role. In our commitment to transparency, we want to inform you that we’ve selected a candidate with experience more closely aligned with the immediate needs of our team.
Your time and effort in the application process are greatly valued, and we encourage you to apply for future positions aligning with your qualifications.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 14: Gratitude for Interview Participation
Subject: Following Up on Your Interview
Dear [Candidate Name],
We wanted to extend our genuine thanks for taking the time to interview for [Position Name] with [Company Name]. Although we have decided to proceed with another candidate, we greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn about your skills and experiences.
Thank you once again for your interest in joining our team, and we wish you the best in your ongoing job search and professional endeavors.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 15: Highlighting Candidate’s Strengths
Subject: Your Application to [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for your interest in the [Position Name] at [Company Name]. We were impressed by your [specific talent or experience] but have ultimately decided to move in a different direction. Please know your profile stood out, and we faced a difficult decision due to the strong pool of candidates.
We encourage you to continue exploring opportunities with us, as your strengths are highly valued.
With appreciation,
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company Name]
Each of these emails has been crafted to address the candidates with the professionalism, respect, and empathy they deserve. The aim is to ensure that even in rejection, a constructive and positive tone is maintained, fostering an environment of respect and ongoing professional relationship potential.
Email 16: Warm and Detailed Candidate Rejection
Subject: Re: Your Application for the [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for submitting your application and showing interest in the role of [Position Name] at [Company Name]. We appreciate the time and effort you put into this process.
Following careful review and deliberations, we regret to inform you that we decided to proceed with another candidate whose skills and experiences we assessed to match our requirements more closely. This decision was particularly difficult, given the nature of your qualifications and our interactions during the process.
We hope this does not deter you from applying for future roles with [Company Name] that align more closely with your unique skills and work experiences. We valued our discussions and look forward to potential further conversations.
Best wishes for your continued career search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 17: Reflective and Encouraging Candidate Rejection
Subject: Your Recent Application for [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
We would like to express our appreciate for considering [Company Name] and applying for the [Position Name]. It was a pleasure to review your application and learn about your skills and experiences.
After several rounds of evaluation, we have decided to choose another candidate who more closely fits the role’s specific requirements at this juncture. We acknowledge the effort and preparation you gave to this process and we are truly impressed with your strong qualifications.
We are confident that your skills will lead you to significant opportunities in your future endeavors, and we encourage you to not be disheartened by this outcome. Please feel free to consider us in your future job hunts, as your profile has left a favorable impression on us.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Email 18: Decisive, Yet Empathetic Rejection Note
Subject: Outcome of Your Application for [Position Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],
At the outset, let us express our gratitude for the time and effort you invested in applying for the [Position Name] role with [Company Name]. Your qualifications and passion for the field were evident and appreciated.
Post multi-phase evaluation, we have decided to proceed with a candidate who aligns more extensively with the immediate needs of this role. We understand that this might be disappointing and want to reassure you that this decision was not an easy one to make.
Your capabilities and potential are undeniable, and we hope that you would consider applying to [Company Name] for future roles that align better with your expertise.
Wishing you the best in your future professional pursuits.
Warm Regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
Emails 19
I’m writing to let you know that we’ve decided not to move forward with your application for the [position] position. Thank you for applying and sharing your experience with us. We appreciate your interest in our company and wish you success in finding the right fit.
Email 20
It’s with a heavy heart that we have to reject your application for the position of [job title]. We appreciate your interest in our company, and we were impressed by your qualifications. However, we have decided to go with another candidate who better aligns with [company name]’s needs at this time. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Email 21
Thank you for applying for the job at [company name]! We appreciate your interest, and we’re sorry to have to tell you that we’re going in another direction. Please know that we appreciate your interest, and we wish you all the best as you continue your job search.
Email 22
Thank you for your interest in the position of Sales Person at [company name]. We’re sorry to inform you that we’ve decided to give the job to another candidate. We appreciate your interest in our company and will keep your resume on file for future openings.
Email 23
Thank you for your interest in the position of [job title] at [company name]. We are sorry to inform you that we have decided to move forward with someone else. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours and hope that you will keep us in mind if any openings should arise.
Email 24
Thank you for applying to [company name]! We appreciate your interest in our company, and we are sorry that you were not chosen for the position. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Email 25
Thank you for your interest in the position of [position]. We appreciate your application, but we have decided to offer the position to another candidate. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours and hope that you can find a new job quickly.
Email 26
Thank you for your interest in the [position] role at [company name]. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best of luck in your job search.
Email 27
Thank you for your application to [company name]. We appreciate your interest in the position, but we have decided to go in a different direction. We wish you the best of luck in your search, and please let us know if there is anything we can do to help!
Email 28
Thank you for applying to the [company name] position. We were impressed with your resume and cover letter, and we had a great time speaking with you over the phone. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to offer you that position at this time.
We love that you have such a strong work ethic and are passionate about what you do. We wish you luck in finding your next opportunity!
Email 29
We appreciate your interest in [company name] and the hard work you’ve put into your application. We are sorry to inform you that we are not able to offer you a position at this time. We wish you luck in your job search and look forward to seeing your future applications.
Email 30
I’m writing to formally reject your application for the position of [job title]. After a careful review of your resume, I can see that you have a lot of experience and qualifications for the job, but unfortunately, we are moving in a different direction.
I appreciate your interest in working with us and hope that you will continue to monitor our openings. We are always looking for talented people like you who can bring their skills to help make our company better.
Email 31
Thank you for applying to [company name] and sharing your skills, talents and experience with us. We were impressed by your application and we are sorry to say that we will not be moving forward with your candidacy. We wish you the best of luck in your job search and hope that you find an opportunity that is a better fit for the skills and experience that you describe in your application.
Email 32
Thank you for your application. After careful consideration, we’ve decided that you are not the right fit for this position. We hope you’ll be able to find a role that better suits your needs and interests. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Email 33: Constructive Candidate Rejection With an Educational Approach
Subject: Application for [Position Name] – Decision and Reflection
Dear [Candidate Name],
Thank you for your interest in the [Position Name] at [Company Name] and for the diligence and enthusiasm that you have demonstrated throughout the application process.
After a comprehensive review, we have resolved to move forward with another candidate for this position. This decision was made after a methodical selection process in line with our organizational requirements and the competitive landscape of the candidate pool. While your application was not selected for this particular role, we acknowledge the strengths you presented and provide the following reflections which may be of assistance in your ongoing professional journey:
- Skill Alignment: We encourage you to seek roles that leverage your specific skill set, particularly [insert relevant skill]. This alignment increases the potential for both job satisfaction and professional effectiveness.
- Experience Relevance: Continue to cultivate experiences that align directly with the industry or role you’re targeting. Your experience in [insert relevant experience] is valuable, and further development in this area could prove to be a considerable asset.
- Future Opportunities at [Company Name]: We are interested in considering your candidacy for future openings. We recommend you keep an eye on our careers page and continue to refine your application to match the desired qualifications.
We believe in providing actionable feedback not only to aid in your immediate job search but also to foster long-term professional growth. Your efforts in applying for a role at [Company Name] have been appreciated, and we welcome you to apply again as opportunities arise that fit your evolving skill set.
We wish you success in all your future employment endeavors and professional development.
Yours truly,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
This structured response aims to not only inform the candidate of the decision but also to empower them with specific feedback that could enhance their future application efforts. By focusing on constructive critique and educational advice, the rejection is positioned as a learning opportunity rather than a setback, reaffirming [Company Name]’s commitment to professional development and respect for all candidates.
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