After conducting interviews, it’s crucial to communicate promptly and respectfully with candidates, even those you aren’t hiring. A well-crafted rejection letter reflects positively on your company’s brand and maintains goodwill. These letters should be clear, concise, and express appreciation for the candidate’s time and interest in the position. Avoid vague language or promises you can’t keep; focus on providing a courteous and professional response.
This article provides 16 sample rejection letters you can adapt to various situations. These range from standard rejections after initial screenings to more personalized responses for candidates who progressed further in the interview process. Remember to tailor each letter to the specific candidate and role for a more genuine and respectful experience. Always proofread for accuracy and grammar before sending.
When sending rejection letters, timing is key. Aim to inform candidates as soon as possible after a hiring decision has been made. This allows them to continue their job search and minimizes any uncertainty. Consider using a professional email template to ensure consistency in your communication. Be sure to remove any confidential information before sending.
Sample Rejection Letters After Interview
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Subject: Update on Your Application for [Job Title]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for your interest in [Company Name] and for taking the time to interview for the [Job Title] position.
We appreciate you sharing your experience and qualifications with us. After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with other candidates whose qualifications and experience more closely align with the specific needs of this role.
We wish you the best in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Application Update
Dear [Candidate Name],We appreciate you interviewing for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name].
While your skills and experience are impressive, we have decided to pursue other candidates at this time. This was a difficult decision, as we had many qualified applicants.
We wish you success in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: Regarding Your Application for [Job Title] at [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for your interest in the [Job Title] position and for your time spent interviewing with our team at [Company Name].
We were impressed with your background and experience, but unfortunately, we have decided to move forward with another candidate.
We encourage you to apply for other positions at [Company Name] that may be a good fit for your skills.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: [Job Title] Application – [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for interviewing for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We enjoyed learning more about your experience and background.
After careful consideration, we’ve decided to move forward with candidates whose qualifications more closely match the requirements of this role.
We wish you the best of luck in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: Update on Your Application for [Job Title]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for your interest in [Company Name] and for taking the time to interview for the [Job Title] position.
We appreciate you sharing your experience and qualifications with us. After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with other candidates whose qualifications and experience more closely align with the specific needs of this role.
We wish you the best in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Application Update
Dear [Candidate Name],We appreciate you interviewing for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name].
While your skills and experience are impressive, we have decided to pursue other candidates at this time. This was a difficult decision, as we had many qualified applicants.
We wish you success in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: Regarding Your Application for [Job Title] at [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for your interest in the [Job Title] position and for your time spent interviewing with our team at [Company Name].
We were impressed with your background and experience, but unfortunately, we have decided to move forward with another candidate.
We encourage you to apply for other positions at [Company Name] that may be a good fit for your skills.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: [Job Title] Application – [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for interviewing for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We enjoyed learning more about your experience and background.
After careful consideration, we’ve decided to move forward with candidates whose qualifications more closely match the requirements of this role.
We wish you the best of luck in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: Update on Your Application for [Job Title]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for your interest in [Company Name] and for taking the time to interview for the [Job Title] position.
We appreciate you sharing your experience and qualifications with us. After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with other candidates whose qualifications and experience more closely align with the specific needs of this role.
We wish you the best in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Application Update
Dear [Candidate Name],We appreciate you interviewing for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name].
While your skills and experience are impressive, we have decided to pursue other candidates at this time. This was a difficult decision, as we had many qualified applicants.
We wish you success in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: Regarding Your Application for [Job Title] at [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for your interest in the [Job Title] position and for your time spent interviewing with our team at [Company Name].
We were impressed with your background and experience, but unfortunately, we have decided to move forward with another candidate.
We encourage you to apply for other positions at [Company Name] that may be a good fit for your skills.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: [Job Title] Application – [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for interviewing for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We enjoyed learning more about your experience and background.
After careful consideration, we’ve decided to move forward with candidates whose qualifications more closely match the requirements of this role.
We wish you the best of luck in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: Update on Your Application for [Job Title]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for your interest in [Company Name] and for taking the time to interview for the [Job Title] position.
We appreciate you sharing your experience and qualifications with us. After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with other candidates whose qualifications and experience more closely align with the specific needs of this role.
We wish you the best in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: [Company Name] – [Job Title] Application Update
Dear [Candidate Name],We appreciate you interviewing for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name].
While your skills and experience are impressive, we have decided to pursue other candidates at this time. This was a difficult decision, as we had many qualified applicants.
We wish you success in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: Regarding Your Application for [Job Title] at [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for your interest in the [Job Title] position and for your time spent interviewing with our team at [Company Name].
We were impressed with your background and experience, but unfortunately, we have decided to move forward with another candidate.
We encourage you to apply for other positions at [Company Name] that may be a good fit for your skills.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] -
Subject: [Job Title] Application – [Company Name]
Dear [Candidate Name],Thank you for interviewing for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We enjoyed learning more about your experience and background.
After careful consideration, we’ve decided to move forward with candidates whose qualifications more closely match the requirements of this role.
We wish you the best of luck in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Crafting a thoughtful and timely rejection letter is a vital part of the hiring process. By using these templates as a starting point and tailoring them to each individual candidate, you can ensure a positive experience, even in rejection. This strengthens your employer brand and leaves candidates with a favorable impression of your company.
