Rejection Letter Examples For After an Interview

Image shows a computer on an office desk. Text in the email reads "Dear Markus, Thank you for taking the time to apply for a position with Gray Associates. I am writing to let you know we have selected a candidate who more closely aligns with the position requirements…"
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Julie Bang / The Balance 

Are you a job seeker wondering if you will be notified if a company opts not to hire you after they have interviewed you to evaluate your candidacy? Or are you a hiring manager who needs to let a candidate know that they weren't hired?

Even though the appropriate protocol is to notify all the candidates that employers interview for a job, this, unfortunately, doesn’t always happen. Employers aren't required to notify applicants, even though it's courteous to inform candidates who haven't been selected to move forward in the hiring process.

When Employers Notify Applicants

Employers don’t always provide applicants with the courtesy of letting them know where they stand in the hiring process, though some do provide status updates to candidates.

  • Some employers let every candidate know the status of their application.
  • Some companies notify applicants who haven’t been accepted for an interview, while others only contact candidates they wish to discuss the job with.
  • Some employers don’t even notify applicants who interview that they weren’t selected for a second interview or the job.
  • Other companies may send rejection letters to applicants who are not selected for a position after the interview process is complete.

You may not receive a letter directly after your interview, if the organization notifies applicants.

Note

Many employers wait until they have hired someone for the job before notifying the other candidates.

That’s because they may want to give the applicant pool another look if their leading candidate rejects their job offer.

What is Included in a Rejection Letter Sent After a Job Interview

If you do receive a rejection letter, don’t expect it to include a reason why you weren’t offered a job. Employers are concerned about discrimination issues.

Note

Reasons for rejecting an applicant could be construed as discriminatory if they are based on age, gender, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, or disability.

It’s safer, from a legal perspective, for companies to write a simple rejection letter that thanks the interviewee for taking the time to meet with the hiring manager. If the company is interested in considering an applicant for other openings, the letter may state that as well.

Examples of Rejection Letters

If a company does send rejection letters, the following are examples of what you may receive if the organization has decided not to pursue your candidacy for a job.

Rejection Letter After a Job Interview Example

Carolyn Zho
Human Resources Manager
XQT Company
103 Main Street
Jamestown, NY 11224

February 15, 2022

Reginald DeLoatch
10 Smythe Avenue, Unit 1A
Buffalo, NY 11222

Dear Mr. Deloatch,

Thank you very much for taking the time to interview with us for the Customer Service position. We appreciate your interest in the company and the job.

I am writing to let you know that we have selected the candidate whom we believe most closely matches the job requirements of the position.

We do appreciate you taking the time to interview with us and encourage you to apply for other openings at the company in the future.

Again, thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Carolyn Zho

Rejection Letter After a Job Interview Email Example

Subject: Marketing Associate Position

Dear Ms. Hagardon,

I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me to discuss the Marketing Associate position at ABC Company. Your time and interest in the position are much appreciated.

I would like to inform you that we have filled the position. However, we will keep your application on file for consideration if there is a future opening that may be a fit for you.

Again, thank you for meeting with me.

Best regards,

Samantha Hancock

What to Do if You Don’t Hear From an Employer

What is the best way to handle it, if you don’t hear back from an interviewer? It’s appropriate to follow up on the status of your application, especially if you are juggling multiple job applications or offers or need to make an immediate decision on another job offer.

Following up immediately after an interview with a thank-you email is a particularly effective strategy, since this allows you to remind the employer of your qualifications, answer any questions you feel were not fully addressed in the interview, and keep you “top of mind” as employers make their hiring decision.

It is also fine to contact the employer with a second email or phone call after two or three weeks, if you still have not heard from them.

Note

Keep in mind that you may not receive a response. So, while you're waiting, be sure to continue to proactively job hunt.

Don't consider your job search complete until you've received—and accepted—a job offer.

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Sources
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  1. SHRM. "What Should an Employer Tell a Candidate Who is Not Selected for the Position?" Accessed Feb. 15, 2022.

  2. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. "Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices.” Accessed Feb. 15, 2022.

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