You spend hours every day applying for jobs, only to receive the dreaded rejection email.
What a shame!
At this point, all you want to do is give up, and you definitely don’t want to work with a company that has rejected you after all your hard work.
But believe it or not, it’s worth your time to respond.
Even if the company is a good fit for you and your job interview went well, you never know when a position that’s a better fit for you will pop up in the future.
Let’s talk about two things. First, why is it so important to respond to rejection emails? Next, how to respond to rejection emails.
Why is it important to respond?
If you love the company after the interview process, you’ll want to keep the relationship warm. Just because you didn’t get this particular job doesn’t mean they won’t offer you an even better job in the future.
Replying will keep your name top of mind in case you’re looking for another candidate for future opportunities.
And even if you make a positive impression, you never know when someone might pass your name on to another colleague or friend who might be considering a job.
Building relationships is a big part of the job search and can open doors, so it’s essential to maintain relationships and respond positively, even if you don’t get the job.
Overall, it conveys a sense of professionalism and only takes a few minutes.
deal with adversity
When I was in graduate school, I was given an assignment to create a “failure resume.”
I found this extremely difficult and unpleasant.
It was embarrassing and humiliating to even type out the example, even though only the professor would see it.
As you might have guessed, the point of creating a “failure resume” is to get used to recognizing and learning from your own failures and setbacks.
We all face adversity and disappointment, so it’s important to view each rejection as a learning experience rather than something to be ashamed of.
Instead of being upset that you didn’t get the job, be proud of yourself for applying and putting yourself out there.
How to respond to rejection emails
First, remember that whoever is reading your email, whether it’s the hiring manager, a team member, or the president of your company, is a human being and will likely be reluctant to reject a candidate.
Keep your tone upbeat and positive. Don’t get aggressive or tell them you made a big mistake.
Start by thanking them and expressing your gratitude for the opportunity.
Share how much you enjoyed learning more about the company and hopefully keep them in mind for future roles.
It’s not easy to respond calmly, but it’s the best way to set yourself up for future success.
ask for feedback
We know this isn’t easy, but trust us, asking for constructive feedback on your interview performance will give you valuable insight.
I have done this myself and it has helped me prepare for other opportunities.
You may also find out that you didn’t necessarily do anything wrong, there were simply hundreds of other applicants with more experience, education, etc.
By receiving valuable feedback, you will feel like you have made a break and can move on.
Create a rejection email template
Here are some important points you can include in your rejection email template.
- say thank you
- Express your future interest
- ask for feedback
Now let’s move on to the email sample.
Example job rejection email response:
Dear (person’s name)
Thank you for considering the position of (job title) at (company name).
I’m disappointed that I didn’t get this position, but I really enjoyed meeting you and learning about your company culture and mission.
I would be happy to consider you for a future role if there is anything that might be a better fit for me.
If you have any feedback about my application, please let me know so that I can improve it in the future.
Thank you once again for giving me the opportunity.
Sincerely,
(your name)
You might want to keep several variations of the template depending on where you were in the interview process when you received the rejection email.
For example, if you submitted a cover letter and resume, your email will be a little different than if you had multiple interviews.
Final tips and key points
1. Take a day to cool down or calm down your emotions before responding.
It’s normal to feel a little depressed and emotional right after a rejection.
Instead of reacting immediately, take a day to think things through and let negative emotions calm down.
This will help you write more positive emails.
2. Try sending an email to a specific person
If the rejection is an automated email, look for the specific person sending the email.
For example, if you have their contact information, try emailing one of them. You may also be able to find them through your LinkedIn profile.
3. Prepare for next time
Once you’ve taken the time to think it through and send your email, you can start applying for new jobs and preparing for interviews.
Ask a friend or former colleague to look at your application and see if they have any additional feedback.
You can also go to LinkedIn or any professional networks you use to send connection requests to interviewers or people with whom you have positive connections.
How to respond to a collection of rejection emails
Unfortunately, rejection is something everyone experiences as part of the job search process.
Now you know how to respond to rejection emails. I hope you now understand why it is so important and can lead to new connections and better jobs in the future.
Know that if you keep trying, the best environment is just around the corner, and that every failure and setback is a valuable opportunity to learn something new.
