Better & Courteous Follow-up Email After Application Rejection

It can be disheartening to put your time and effort into applying for a job only to receive a rejection letter. However, it is important to understand that the hiring process is often very competitive. And unfortunately, not every qualified candidate can be chosen for every role. Instead of looking only at the downside, try writing a follow-up email after application rejection to foster connections with employers.

When rejected for a role you truly desire, it is understandable to reach out to the company asking for feedback on your application. However, before you do so, it is vital to ensure that you are doing so professionally.

This article provides tips on writing a follow-up email after receiving a job rejection, along with an effective example template.

Importance of a Follow-up Email After Application Rejection

An application rejection is a painful blow to any job seeker. Naturally, you want to know why it was rejected, but you must not be overbearing. What you might not know is a rejection letter response is a great way to set the tone for further interactions with a company.

Making contacts in the business world is a great method to boost your career. You can establish a good rapport with the employer by getting in touch with them after receiving a rejection email.

While many others received the same rejection email, most will not respond. By responding to your rejection email, you can stand out among the pool of candidates who were not chosen.

A gracious response not only reflects your professionalism but can also benefit you in the following situations:

• The hired candidate chooses not to accept the employment.
• The candidate starts the new job but leaves soon after.
• There’s a different but related open position in the company where you could be an ideal candidate.

Tips to Respond to a Job Rejection Email

If you’ve been provided an application rejection email from a company, it’s a good idea to send the company a follow-up email. Let them know politely if you have questions and address their concerns with your application. Finally, you can send a sincere, courteous exit email thanking the company for their time. Below are some tips on how to write a professional response to a job rejection email:

Keep It Positive

No matter how you feel about the rejection, it’s essential to keep your response positive. This is not the time to vent your frustrations or lash out at the person who rejected you.

Be Polite and Gracious

Thank the person for taking the time to review your application and for giving you the opportunity to apply for the position.

Request for Feedback

Use this as an opportunity to ask for feedback on your application or interview so that you can learn and improve for future opportunities.

Express Interest in Other Opportunities

Let them know that you’re still interested in working with their company and would like to be considered for future openings.

Keep It Short and Professional

A brief, polite response is all that’s needed in a professional follow-up email after application rejection. When you write longer emails asking for explanations, you risk coming across as angry or desperate.

Job Rejection Follow-up Email Templates

If you are turned down for a position, you can write a thank you follow-up email to the hiring manager for their time. A follow-up email after rejection must be handled as courteously and professionally as possible. Here is a list of email templates that you can use as a guide after a job rejection.

Template 1:

Dear [Hiring Manager],

Thank you so much for getting back to me with the hiring decision. I am disappointed that I wasn’t selected for the position, but I appreciate the opportunity to interview for it. I would love to be considered for future job openings at the company.

Would it be possible to get feedback on my application and interview? I would appreciate it if you could tell me what areas I need to work on to improve my chances in future job searches. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best Regards,

[Your Name]

Template 2:

Dear [Employer Name],

Thank you for letting me know the status of my job application. Though I am disappointed that I was not selected, I appreciate the opportunity to have been considered for the position. However, I would like to thank you for your time and consideration.

I would also like to inquire if there are any other positions at your company that I may be suited for. I remain interested in working for your company and would appreciate any guidance or suggestions you can offer. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Template 3:

Dear [Employer Name],

Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the [position name] position. I appreciate the opportunity to have spoken with you about my qualifications and experience. Although I am disappointed that I was not selected for the role, I remain interested in working at [organization name] in the future.

Would it be possible to provide feedback on my application and interview? I would greatly appreciate any insight you can offer as I continue to look for employment. Additionally, please keep me in mind for future job openings that may be a better match for my skills and experience. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Template 4:

Dear [Employer],

Thank you for letting me know about the decision regarding the [position]. I appreciate the opportunity to have interviewed for the role and am grateful for the feedback I received.

I will continue to look for opportunities that align with my skills and interests. And I hope to have another chance to speak with you in the future. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Conclusion

As a job seeker, you want to ensure that you make an excellent first impression on a recruiter. No matter how skilled you are, you can still get rejected, so you must be careful in your follow-up. Instead of taking the rejection to heart and feeling defeated, show that you are resilient and can bounce back when given the chance.

You should demonstrate your level of professionalism and express gratitude without sounding frustrated. Follow the tips in this post and use the templates to compose a well-crafted job rejection follow-up email.