How To Respond To A Job Rejection Email (Template + Examples)

It’s disappointing to be turned down for a job you were hoping to get. Many applicants succumb to the natural instinct of moving on in their job-search before replying to the rejection email.

While you may want to ignore and curl up into a ball for a while or get right back into job-hunting, responding to a job rejection email professionally is a courteous approach that will ultimately serve your interests.

4 Steps for Writing a Job Rejection Email Response

A response to a job rejection email has a more lax feel than the formality of the job application process, but it still requires attention to a particular structure:

1. Say thank you. Saying thank you after being rejected for a role you worked hard to get requires your ego to take a back seat. While it’s not going to be your favorite activity, open your response by stating your appreciation that they took the time to consider you for the job. Getting through the application process in itself takes resources that a company wouldn’t supply for an unpromising applicant.

   Showing them your gratitude for the chance, despite not receiving a job offer, demonstrates strong character and professionalism. Try to express your thanks as genuinely as possible. Even though you’re disappointed, there’s room to express this next bit in your reply.

2. Statement of disappointment. That disappointment you feel at not landing the job actually has a vital purpose in your response. It demonstrates how much you cared about receiving the position and your eagerness for the job.

   It’s okay to give a touch of disappointment, but make sure this part of your response doesn’t go on forever and isn’t too victimizing. It should be a brief explanation of two sentences at most that objectively states that you wish you got the job.

3. Express interest in the company, despite the circumstance. Maybe you’ve become completely disillusioned with the possibility of working with this company, and that’s okay. However, if you’d still be open to future opportunities, expressing interest in the company despite the circumstances will let the hiring manager know to keep you in mind.

   Sometimes, securing a job with a company you’re passionate about just takes a little longer than expected.

4. Request feedback. Many unsuccessful job applicants are left stunned and unsure of why they didn’t get the job. The truth is that it’s a long shot for you to find out precisely why you weren’t chosen for the role. Employers will be vague in their reasoning for why you weren’t hired or won’t explain at all.

   When you reach out with a response to job rejection, it can be an excellent chance to get some clarity. Before deciding to include this section of your reply, do some self-evaluation of your skills, experience, and other reasons, you have not gotten the job.

   If you’re still at a complete loss for why you were rejected or just want to improve for the future, be friendly and put forth the request with respect.

Rejection Follow-Up Email Examples

What to Include in a Response to a Job Rejection

1. Respectfulness. The last thing that you want to do when sending a response to a job rejection is come across as entitled, pissed off, or unprofessional. The resounding tone of your reply should be respectfulness.

2. Proper email format. Use proper business email format with any type of professional communications you have. Sending a response to a job rejection is a little less tense than the rest of the interview process because nothing hinges on how it’s received, but it still requires proper formatting.

3. Appreciation. It seems contradictory to be bestowing such high praise and gratitude towards a company that rejected you. However, they’ve extended just as much effort in assessing as you have in trying to get the job. Demonstrate your appreciation for their consideration and time when crafting your response.

4. Your contact information. You haven’t been offered the position you were vying for, but it’s always possible that the employer you applied with reached out in the future for a different opportunity. Include your contact information in your response to a job rejection. If a hiring manager needs to fill a different role, it will be easy for them to get a hold of you.

Why You Should Respond to a Job Rejection Email

A lot of job-seekers roll their eyes at the idea of extending any extra effort towards a position they’ve already been rejected for. They’re already in a pit of despair; why should they have to make it any worse by reaching out to say, “Thanks for not choosing me”?

Here are a few reasons why responding to a job rejection letter is the best course of action:

1. Displays professionalism. Even though your fate with this job is sealed, reaching out to a hiring manager to state your appreciation for the opportunity demonstrates your professionalism. It’s important to maintain this cordial and respectful demeanor, whether or not you get what you want.

2. Keeps you in mind for future positions. You didn’t land this position, and that means you won’t be working for the company you applied with right now. However, it doesn’t mean you’ll never work for them. When alternative positions open up in the future, the recruiter remembers you as a prospective applicant that went out of their way to thank them for their time.

3. Grows networking circle. Having a diverse network of professionals in your field that you’ve interacted with is crucial to career growth. Going through the process of application and interview introduces you to individuals in your industry, but reaching out even after being rejected solidifies them as potential contacts.

   Growing your network gives you more opportunities where you didn’t expect them.

4. The applicant they hired doesn’t work out. Perhaps the most convincing reason for responding to a job rejection email is the possibility that the candidate they’ve chosen doesn’t work out, and you were their runner-up to hire. There are many reasons that a newly hired employee doesn’t work out, whether they didn’t live up to expectation skill-wise or accepted a better position elsewhere.

   When this happens, the employer follows up with another promising applicant to fill the role. Their choice will be someone who is stuck in their mind by responding to the rejection email.

How To Respond To A Job Rejection Email

Vimari Roman
Career Strategist Coach
Be Productive Coaching

Rejection doesn’t feel good, and even though receiving a rejection email can feel painful, as a job seeker and professional, you always want to respond and keep your doors opened. If you haven’t sent a personalized thank you note, you may want to handwrite a thank you instead of the formal email. In this digital age, hiring managers rarely get handwritten notes, which is an excellent way to be remembered. The note is similar to what you would write in an email, except it’s imperative that you keep it short and simple: Dear Jane, Thank you for considering me for the sales manager position. Although not chosen, I am grateful for the opportunity and hope you keep me in mind for the future. I welcome any feedback you may have on my interview process and performance. Sincerely, John” Remember to include your full name, email and phone number.

Author

Maddie Lloyd

Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.