Introduction
Navigating the world of professional recruitment often means having to deliver not-so-great news to hopeful candidates.
Although this task can be challenging, a well-crafted rejection letter can ensure the process is handled with tact and respect.
Below are 20 examples of after interview rejection letters to help companies relay the message professionally and considerately.
After Interview Rejection Letter Examples
1. Standard Professional Rejection
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to interview with us. After careful consideration, we have chosen to move forward with another candidate for this position. We appreciate your interest in our company and wish you success in your job search.
Sincerely,
[Your Company Name]”
2. Encouraging Feedback
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
While we were impressed with your qualifications, we have decided to pursue another candidate for this role. We genuinely appreciate your effort and encourage you to apply for future openings that match your skills and aspirations.
Best regards,
[Your Company Name]”
3. Close Contender
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
The decision was incredibly difficult due to the high quality of applicants such as yourself. We have chosen another candidate for this particular role, but we hope you consider applying for future positions with us.
Warm regards,
[Your Company Name]”
4. Limited Openings
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Due to a limited number of positions and an overwhelming response, we are unable to offer you a position at this time. We appreciate your understanding and hope you’ll keep us in mind in the future.
Sincerely,
[Your Company Name]”
5. Future Consideration
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
While we’ve filled the current position, we were genuinely impressed with your credentials and interview. We would like to keep your information for potential future openings that align with your skills.
Thank you,
[Your Company Name]”
6. Positive Tone
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for sharing your experiences and aspirations with us. Although we are moving forward with another candidate for this role, we believe you have a bright future and wish you the very best in your career pursuits.
Kind regards,
[Your Company Name]”
7. Skill Set Difference
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
After thorough evaluation, we believe there’s a mismatch between the role requirements and your current skill set. We value your interest and suggest you gain expertise in [specific skill] for similar future roles.
Wishing you success,
[Your Company Name]”
8. Emphasizing Tough Decision
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
It was a pleasure meeting you, and our decision was not easy given the high caliber of candidates. Regrettably, we’ve chosen to proceed with another applicant for this role. We genuinely appreciate your desire to join us and wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
[Your Company Name]”
9. Encouragement for Future Openings
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
At this time, we’ve decided on another candidate for the position. However, your qualifications certainly caught our attention. Please consider our other openings that might be a better fit.
Best,
[Your Company Name]”
10. Direct and Gracious
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for interviewing with our team. We’ve decided to go in a different direction, but we appreciate your interest in our company.
Best regards,
[Your Company Name]”
11. Appreciating Specialized Skills
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Your expertise in [specific skill/area] was evident, and we were impressed. Unfortunately, for this particular role, we have selected someone else. We wish you success and hope our paths might cross again.
Warm wishes,
[Your Company Name]”
12. Noting a Competitive Process
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Given the competitive nature of this hiring process, making a decision was challenging. We want to inform you we’ve chosen another candidate, but we genuinely value the insights you brought during the interview.
Thank you,
[Your Company Name]”
13. Promising to Stay in Touch
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
While we’ve selected another candidate for this role, we were genuinely impressed by your background. With your permission, we’d like to retain your details for future opportunities that align better with your profile.
Warm regards,
[Your Company Name]”
14. Offering Constructive Feedback
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for your interest in the [specific role]. At this time, we’ve chosen a different candidate. Should you be open to feedback, we’d be happy to share some insights from the interview that might assist in your job search.
Best wishes,
[Your Company Name]”
15. Highlighting Internal Decision
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
After thorough deliberation, we decided to fill the position internally. We appreciate the enthusiasm you showed for joining our team and hope you’ll consider future openings.
Regards,
[Your Company Name]”
16. Acknowledging the Lengthy Process
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
We understand the interview process has been quite extended and want to thank you for your patience. However, we’ve decided to proceed with another candidate for the role. Your dedication throughout is genuinely appreciated.
Thank you,
[Your Company Name]”
17. Mentioning Multiple Rounds
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Having come through several rounds of interviews, we recognize the effort and commitment you showed. It was a challenging decision, but we have opted for another candidate. We’re grateful for your interest and time.
Sincerely,
[Your Company Name]”
18. Focusing on Future Potential
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Although we’ve chosen another candidate for this position, we believe your skills and experience have great potential. We hope this decision won’t deter you from applying for other roles with us in the future.
Best regards,
[Your Company Name]”
19. Recognizing Cultural Fit
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
Your skills and qualifications are commendable. However, we felt another candidate was a slightly better cultural fit for our current team dynamics. We thank you for letting us get to know you and for considering a role with our company.
Warm regards,
[Your Company Name]”
20. Commending Participation in a Rigorous Process
“Dear [Candidate’s Name],
We genuinely appreciate your active participation in our rigorous selection process. After much consideration, we’ve decided to select another candidate. We wish you the very best in your professional endeavors.
Thank you,
[Your Company Name]”
Conclusion
Sending a rejection letter, though difficult, is essential. It closes the loop for candidates and provides clarity.
These examples aim to strike the right balance between being considerate and straightforward, ensuring the rejected candidates maintain their confidence and respect for your company.