After spending hours, day after day, applying for jobs, you get the dreaded rejection email.
What a bummer!
At this point, all you want to do is give up, and you definitely don’t want to respond to the company that just rejected you after all your hard work.
But, believe it or not, it’s worth your time to respond.
If the company is a good fit for you, and the job interview went well, you never know when future positions might pop up that could be a better match for you.
Let’s talk about two things: First, why it is so important to respond to rejection emails. And second, how to respond to a rejection email.
Why is it Important to Respond?
If you still love the company after completing the interview process, you want to keep those relationships warm. Just because you didn’t get this particular job doesn’t mean that they won’t have an even better job for you down the road.
By responding, you keep your name at the top of their minds in case they are looking for another candidate for future opportunities.
Also, if you make a positive impression, you never know when someone will pass your name along to another colleague or friend who might be hiring.
Building relationships is a huge part of your job search and can open doors, so it’s essential to maintain those relationships and provide a positive response even when you don’t get the job.
Overall, it conveys a sense of professionalism and only takes a couple of minutes.
Dealing with Adversity
When I was in grad school, one of my assignments was to create a “failure resume.”
I found this to be extremely challenging and uncomfortable.
Even typing out the examples felt embarrassing and humiliating, despite my professor being the only person who would see it.
As you might have guessed, the point of doing a “failure resume” is to get comfortable with recognizing your failures and setbacks and learning from them.
We all deal with adversity and disappointment, so it’s important to view each rejection as a learning experience rather than something to shame yourself for.
Instead of being upset with yourself for not getting the job, be proud of yourself for applying and putting yourself out there.
How to Respond to a Rejection Email
First, remember that whoever is reading your email, whether it’s a hiring manager, team member, or the President of the company, is a person and probably hates having to reject candidates.
Try to keep your tone light and positive. Don’t be aggressive or tell them that they made a huge mistake.
Start by thanking them and expressing your appreciation for the opportunity.
Share that you’ve enjoyed learning more about the company and hope that they will keep you in mind for future roles.
Responding with grace isn’t easy, but it is the best way to set yourself up for future success.
Ask for Feedback
I know this isn’t easy to do, but believe me, it can provide valuable insights if you ask for some constructive feedback on your interview performance.
I’ve done this myself, and it’s been helpful in preparing me for other opportunities.
You might also discover that you didn’t necessarily do anything wrong and that perhaps they simply had hundreds of applicants with more experience, education, and so on.
Getting some valuable feedback can also give you a sense of closure, allowing you to move on.
Create a Rejection Email Template
Here are a few key points you can include in your rejection email template:
- Say thank you
- Express interest going forward
- Ask for feedback
Now, let’s move on to an email sample.
Example of a Job Rejection Email Response:
Dear [name of person],
Thank you for considering me for the [position name] position at [company name].
While I am disappointed that I am not getting the position, I enjoyed meeting you and appreciated learning about your company culture and mission.
I would appreciate being considered for future roles if there is something that may be a better fit for me.
If you have any feedback about my application, I’d love to know so I can improve going forward.
Thank you again for the opportunity.
Sincerely,
[your name]
You can also keep a few variations of the template depending on where you were in the interview process when you received the rejection email.
For instance, if you submitted your cover letter and resume, your email will be a little different than if you went through multiple rounds of interviews.
A Few Final Tips and Key Takeaways
1. Take a day to cool off or let the emotions settle before responding
It’s normal to feel a little down and emotional immediately after getting rejected.
Instead of responding right away, give yourself a day to reflect and let the negative emotions settle.
By doing this, you’re more likely to write a more positive email.
2. Try to email a specific person
If your rejection is an automated email, try to find a specific person to email.
For example, try emailing one of your interviewers if you have their contact information. You might also be able to find them through their LinkedIn profile.
3. Prepare for next time
Once you’ve had some time to reflect and have sent your email, you can start applying for new jobs and prepping for interviews.
See if you can have some friends or former colleagues look over your application materials and see if they have any additional feedback.
You can also go on LinkedIn or whatever professional network you use, and send a connection request to your interviewer or anyone with whom you made a positive connection.
How to Respond to a Rejection Email Wrapup
Unfortunately, rejection is something we all experience as part of the job-hunting process.
Now you know how to respond to a rejection email, and hopefully, you can see why it’s so important and might lead to new connections or a better job down the line.
Know that the best fit is just around the corner, as long as you keep trying, and that every failure or setback is a valuable opportunity to learn something new.
