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Career CatalystHow to Respond to Rejection (and Why)
By Julia Sosenko
BGE Career Strategy & Professional Development
How to Respond to Rejection (and Why)
While you might be feeling shocked, upset, or frustrated as you read a rejection email after a job interview, I urge you to consider hitting reply. While replying with anger or resentment (i.e. telling the recruiter he or she made a huge mistake, and should not have wasted your time,) will not do you any favor, replying with gratitude for the opportunity and expressing well wishes may increase your chances of getting a callback should another position open in the future.
Leave one last good impression by showing you can handle setbacks with grace, and most importantly, that you remain interested!
Below is a template that you can modify.
Template
Hi [Name],
Thank you for the update regarding the [Position Title] position. While I am disappointed that I will not be able to work as part of the [Employer name] team, it was great to meet [you/the team] and learn more about the work that [you/they] are doing.
I am excited to keep following [Employer name] as the team [name a current goal or initiative the team or company has, and if you do not know one, feel free to delete this line entirely.]
Thank you again for the opportunity to interview for this position. This interview process has reinforced my interest in working for [Employer name.] Should any opportunities arise in the future, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to be considered.
I wish you and [Employer name] all the best moving forward.
Best,
[Your Name]
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