How to Respond to a Job Rejection Email (With Examples)

Have you received an email notifying you that you were not successful in a recent job interview?

I’m sorry to hear so, I know exactly how it feels.

It doesn’t help much to hear this right now, but it’s not the end of the world – or even the last chance you’ll get for your dream job.

If you respond professionally and say all the right things, you never know, the company may just reach out to you in the future.

Here’s how to respond to a job rejection email with examples:

Should You Reply to a Job Rejection Email?

You should always reply to a job rejection email, even if it’s just a short and simple acknowledgement that you received the email.

This shows that you’re professional and polite, and who knows, the company may keep your name on file for future openings.

Of course, you don’t want to come across as desperate or annoying, and you should never question their decision.

However, it’s the perfect opportunity to leave a good impression and get some feedback as to why you were not successful if you feel it’s necessary.

Remember, sending an email and being polite doesn’t cost anything. No matter how dejected and disappointed you feel, send a reply.

How Do You Best Respond to a Job Rejection Email?

Before giving you some examples of what to say, I want to cover some important things you should keep in mind when replying.

A few things I recommend you always remember is to:

• Reply as soon as you can
• Be polite and thank the interviewer for their time
• Let them know you’re disappointed so they know that you really wanted the job
• Make it clear they should keep your details on file and contact you if the situation changes
• Proofread your reply and double-check there are no typos!

If you are really disappointed, take some time to think about your reply before writing it.

When we’re emotional, we don’t always make the best decisions.

You could easily say something you don’t mean or will later wish you didn’t say if you reply when you’re upset or emotional.

Related – Did your interview go well but you were still rejected? Here’s why!

Examples of How to Respond to a Job Rejection Email

Please keep in mind that each reply and communication is going to be different based on individual circumstances.

However, to give you an idea of what you could say when replying to a rejection email, here are a couple of examples:

Dear [Employer],

Thank you for letting me know and I appreciate the opportunity to have interviewed with you.

I am disappointed but understand that there were other candidates more suited for the role.

I would be grateful if you could keep my details on file for any future openings.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Hello [Employer],

Thank you for your email and letting me know the outcome of the interviews.

I appreciate your time and just wanted to say I enjoyed meeting you and having the opportunity to put myself forward for the role.

I was impressed with what I found out and saw with the company, and would certainly be interested in any other similar roles that come up in the future.

Kind regards, and thanks again.

There you go, two examples of what you can write as a reply.

As you can see, you can keep it short and sweet while making it clear that you’d like to hear from them if they have any similar roles open up in the future.

This will also put you at the front of the line if the candidate they offer the job to pulls out for some reason, without you having to ask them directly.

Related – Here’s what to do if you hate your job or want to quit because it’s understaffed.

Try Not to Be Too Disappointed About Being Rejected

While we’re on the topic of being rejected for a job, I wanted to point out that you shouldn’t be too disappointed.

I know this is easier said than done, and it’s perfectly normal to feel disappointed.

But it’s important that you don’t take this rejection personally, think that you’re not good enough, or let it shake your confidence.

You could have given the perfect interview, put yourself forward in the best possible light – only for something out of your control to cause the interviewers to choose someone else.

Positive thinking is always going to be one of your greatest advantages when applying for jobs.

Nothing, and I mean nothing should stop you from thinking positively!

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Image credits – Photo by Justin Morgan on Unsplash