How does it feel when you get a rejection email from the interview? 

Most people would say, “a door of possibility closing in on them.”

Looking for a job opportunity takes a lot of effort. Starting with your professional networking, looking for job search boards, and emailing the recruiters showing your interest in work.

When you are asked for an interview, the possibility seems even brighter. But, if all of these hardships only lead to a rejection letter, then it is pretty hard to deal with. Yes, it is terrible news, one that must not demotivate you. It is not the end, and the best course of action now would be responding to your interviewer. Why? Because what seems like a dead end might start a new beginning. 

So, respond… 

But how? How to respond to a rejection email? Good thing you landed on this page. I will walk you through and talk to you throughout this blog post, helping you understand the ‘how tos’ of such a response. So, let’s start!

Why Must You Respond?

So, you lost one opportunity, and it seems complicated to deal with the rejection (it is tricky). The more you start getting rejections, the harder it becomes to deal with it. According to a survey done by Pew Research Center, the US job seekers are pessimistic about their future job opportunities.

They take their job as a part of their identity. So, losing it feels like losing a potion of themselves. But, as hard as it might seem, you must take this opportunity to network with an interviewer. When you respond to a rejection, it shows your professionalism in overcoming disappointment and trying to build a positive relationship with the employer. 

In most cases, other applicants who also applied like you would not respond to the rejection and reach out to the recruiter. But you, on the other hand, can do so and leave a lasting impression. 

You can respond politely and graciously to the employer and stand out among other applicants. More so, if you look on the positive side, it can open more new opportunities for you. For example –

• The hired applicant might decide not to take the position. 
• The applicant can start the new work and leave the position after some time. 
• The employer might have a new opening for a similar position. 

Also, if any urgent requirements arise, the hiring managers find it easier to choose from the recently interviewed candidates. So, responding does seem like a viable option. 

How To Respond To A Rejection Email?

Here is the process for responding to a rejection email –

Thank The Interviewer

You may have already left a good first impression on the interviewer. But they might have someone else with more experience in the same field as yours. A good way to respond to the interviewer, in this scenario, would be to start with a thank you note. 

• Let them know that you respect their decision. 
• Express your gratitude to them for the time and opportunity they have given to you. 
• You can also convey your feelings and the experience you had learning about the company and some of its employees. 

When responding to a rejection email, you can take this tone at the start of the mail. 

Express Your Disappointment

Now that you have shared your experience with the interviewer and showed your gratitude, you can let them know you are disappointed. You can express that you are unhappy at not being chosen for the role you applied for. Try to remember to keep it short and not overexplain it. A positive tone of language with this expression would be better.

Ask For Their Feedback

Just like looking for a job opportunity, looking for a suitable candidate also has its fair share of hardship. Choosing the right person for the job takes countless considerations, reconsiderations, and critical thinking. The recruiters know the parameters based on which they rejected you and passed the role on to someone else. Wouldn’t knowing what parameters they looked at to shortlist the right candidate would be good? 

It never hurts to ask for feedback. So, that is what you will do. Ask the recruiting manager about the feedback they have on the interview. When crafting your rejection email response, cover these points asking for the recruiter’s feedback on the rejection –

• Would you mind sparing a couple of minutes to give me feedback on the interview? 
• I would be happy to know about the skills and experiences that would have made me a more suitable candidate. 
• What areas of improvement do I have to do well in my future endeavors? 

Once you have the answer, you will be ready to acquire the skills and competencies for similar job opportunities. You can also edit your resume based on the feedback and make it more appealing to other recruiters. 

Show That You Are Still Interested

A hiring manager or an employer takes pride in their company. Having someone appreciating it and willing to participate in it creates a favorable place for job seekers. But, it must be genuine, and when you respond to the rejections, you can show your interest in working with them in the future. 

Even after a rejection, it helps to let the recruiter know of your interest in working with them. If you respond with your interest in future opportunities, the hiring manager might remember you and think of you when recruiting for new or vacant posts. But, if you do not share your interest, they might think you are recruited elsewhere. So, a little reminder can do you more than others not responding to their rejection emails. 

Final Words

The internet has so many templates, including responses to a rejection email. You can use them as a reference to craft your response. However, no matter which templates you follow, the advice given in this letter should be present in the letter you send to the recruiter as a response. Who knows, you might have a new opportunity awaiting you. 

So, did you find the tips you were looking for? Was this article close enough to give you an idea of how to respond to a rejection letter? The comment box is all yours. So, let us know. Thank you for reading.

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