Lifehacker published a recent article titled How to Respond to a Job Rejection Email. The article focused on whether candidates should respond to rejections from companies.
The article made me think about rejection emails more generally. First, all organizations must close the loop with candidates. ALWAYS! Today’s technology allows organizations to send candidates and applicants emails to inform them of their progress. There is no reason not to.
I would go one step further and say that organizations must do more than send emails to internal candidates. It’s not just about recruitment. It’s a conversation about development that an internal candidate should be notified that they are not being considered. An employee wants to know if the company is committed to their development.
Organizations should send out rejection emails and close loop conversations.
Now for the employee side. I am unsure whether to reply to an email rejection. People should ask themselves, “What is the goal?” A response is appropriate if you want to keep the door open for this organization. If you are an internal candidate, it might be a good idea to follow up and let the organization understand that you value their feedback.
However, some people might not find it logical to respond to every rejection letter. Sometimes, candidates discover that they don’t want to work at that company during an interview. In these cases, the job rejection letter can be a relief.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you plan to respond to an email rejection.
- The reply should sound more like you than a letter. This is especially important if you are interested in other jobs.
- Keep it short and to the point.
- Mention why you’re worth being considered again. This could be helpful if you are applying for a job that requires transferable skills. These skills would be useful in many other positions.
- We are grateful to the company for their consideration.
Although it may be tempting to comment on a company’s hiring process, you should think twice before venting your frustrations. As a human resource professional, the interview process can be frustrating. It takes too much time. Multiple interviews were required. Then, in the end, you discover you were not selected. You must again decide, “What’s your goal?” While building a bridge may make you feel better, it will not help your job search or your career.