How to Respond to a Rejection Email

Receiving a rejection email is disappointing and can be emotionally draining. It’s understandable if you are tempted to delete the email and forget you ever interviewed for that position. However, we advise you to resist that temptation and respond to the email instead. Though it’s not necessary to reply to a rejection email, doing so will allow you to demonstrate your professionalism. And you will get valuable feedback on your interview and application. Additionally, it might even lead you to be hired at the company you interviewed with in the future. With that in mind, here is how you can write a strong response to a rejection email.

Take a breath

There’s no need to rush to respond right away; take a few moments (or a few days) to breathe. Rejection is hard on everyone, so be kind to yourself, and try not to take it personally. Taking the time you need to process their email will help you approach your response in a more productive way.

Express your gratitude

Start the email off with a professional greeting. This will set a positive tone for the rest of your email.  Thank them for their time and consideration; doing so will demonstrate that you are respectful and polite. Expressing gratitude is an important practice, especially when it may not be easy to do so.

Communicate your disappointment

It’s okay to share that you are disappointed at being passed over for the role. This helps communicate your sincere interest in the position. However, this part of the email should be brief, as you don’t want to come off as slighted or set a gloomy tone.

Request feedback

Asking for feedback on your application and interview will show them that you are motivated to improve and are receptive of constructive criticism. These are important qualities that employers look for. It will also help you refine your interview skills and your approach to job applications.

Ask them to keep you in mind

The hiring manager might assume that after being rejected, you are no longer interested in working at their company. You should make your ongoing interest and desire to be considered in the future clear. This will increase the odds that they will consider you for opportunities in the future.

Keep it short

This email isn’t the place to convince the employer to hire you, but it’s a good place to leave a lasting impression. Keep it short, polite, and simple.

Proofread

If the goal of this email is to leave a positive impression, it’s important that it flows well and is free from mistakes. Try reading it out loud to see if it makes sense. You could even ask a friend or peer to read through it for you.

Example response:

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]

Thank you for communicating your hiring decision with me. I appreciate the time you took to review my application. It was a pleasure to meet you and I enjoyed learning more about the position and your company’s values.

While I am disappointed that my experience wasn’t exactly what you were looking for, I am still very interested in working at your company. I would greatly appreciate it if you kept me in mind should another position open that you feel better fits my qualifications.

If you are able to spare the time, I would be grateful to hear any feedback you have regarding my application and interview. Your insights would be extremely beneficial during my job search.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]