Rejection Letters
Dabian T. Witherspoon Ph.D.
Premium Copy Editor, Video Editor, Screenplay Analyst, Writer, and English Communication Coach
Unfortunately, so many employers or their human resources departments fail to put much thought into non-selection (rejection) letters. They mail or email the same canned response to multiple people, even if the wording does not apply to everyone who receives it. The wording often comes across as insulting, especially to highly qualified applicants who simply were not chosen.
Here is an example of the kinds of rejection letters that employers need to stop sending:
Dear ABC,
Thank you for your interest in employment with XYZ.
We are continuing our search with other applicants whose backgrounds more closely meet our current needs.
Sincerely,
Human Resources
A pleasant opening does not take away the unnecessary sting of indirectly telling applicants that they are unwanted or not good enough. Receiving such a message from a no-reply address makes it even worse.
"Ain't nothin' worse than rejection. I'd feel a little better if you slapped my face." - The Time (Morris Day)
Quoting song lyrics is facetious, but the topic of rejection letters is no laughing matter.
A rejection letter needs to be tactful. It needs to state that the employer has selected another applicant or has decided to move forward with other applicants, nothing more.