Job Denial Email Sample: How to Write and Respond to a Job Rejection

Are you one of the countless individuals who have received a job denial email? Are you feeling disappointed, frustrated, or even devastated? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Job rejection is a common experience and it’s perfectly normal to feel discouraged. However, it’s important to keep your head up and remember that this is just a setback, not the end of your career.

One thing that can help ease the pain of job denial is having a good understanding of what to expect in the rejection email. That’s why in this article, we’ll be providing some job denial email samples that you can use as a reference. By reading these examples, you’ll be able to see first-hand what types of things employers say when letting someone know they didn’t get the job.

You can use these samples as a starting point to edit, tweak, or personalize your own job rejection email. With the right phrasing and tone, you can take control of the situation and use it as an opportunity to stand out from other applicants.

So, whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own rejection response or simply curious about what employers tend to say in rejection emails, read on and discover the power of a well-written job denial email sample.

The Perfect Structure for a Job Denial Email Sample

Writing a job denial email can be an uncomfortable and daunting task. There is no way to sugarcoat it, but there is a way to make it a little easier – by following a tried and tested formula. In this article, we’ll explore the best structure for a job denial email sample, so you can deliver the news with empathy and professionalism.

The first thing you will want to do is to begin with a concise and empathetic opening. You can start by thanking the candidate for their application, show your appreciation for their interest and compliment them on their qualifications, this way you can build rapport even if they weren’t selected. Let them know that it was a difficult decision to choose between the candidates, and follow up with the main point – that you have decided not to move forward with their application. Try to be reassuring about their candidacy by saying you hope they will stay in touch for future opportunities but be honest and clear, don’t leave hope of future opportunities where there are none.

The second part of your email is where you can show professionalism by explaining the reasons behind your decision. This section is crucial for providing value to those individuals not selected. Be honest about the criteria used in your selection process, highlight the role’s specific requirements and skills that were necessary to advance to the next stage of the selection, and clearly identify the areas where the applicant falls short. Ultimately, you want to communicate that you considered all the applications in detail and that you selected the candidate who best fulfills the required qualifications. Most importantly, if the decision has been made, stick to it; don’t leave room for negotiation unless you are genuinely considering their candidacy for another role.

The last section of your job denial email should be an invitation to remain in touch. In most cases not assigning a candidate to the position they have applied for does not mean their career journey ends there, they can be great assets to the company in the future if only through their network. In this section, you can encourage the applicant to keep in touch with the company and show interest in building a connection for the future. Since recruiters deal with numerous cadidates on a daily basis, it’s important to remind people to follow up after the email if they need feedback or there are more opportunities that they believe may fit their skills.

To wrap up, use a positive tone throughout the email but do not attempt to come across as insincere. Skillfully craft your words to convey empathy and professionalism, provide insight into the reasoning behind your decision, and create an open door for future opportunities. Following these guidelines can make the process of writing a job denial email easier and more efficient, while maintaining a sense of respect for all applicants.

Job Denial Emails: 7 Samples for Different Reasons

Position Filled

Dear [Applicant Name],

Firstly, thank you for your application for the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. Unfortunately, I must regretfully inform you that the position has been filled by another candidate.

Please rest assured that we were impressed by your application and the skills and experience you possess. We appreciate your interest in joining our company and encourage you to apply for future opportunities.

Thank you once again for taking the time to apply to [Company Name]. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Not Enough Experience

Dear [Applicant Name],

Thank you for taking the time to apply for the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. We appreciate your interest in our company.

After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we have decided not to progress your application any further.

This decision was based on the fact that we are looking for someone with more experience in [specific skill or field]. Although your background is impressive, we do not believe you possess the specific experience needed for this position.

Thank you once again for your application and interest in our company. We wish you the best of luck in your job search.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Not a Good Fit

Dear [Applicant Name],

Thank you for your application for the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. We carefully considered your application and regretfully inform you that we have decided not to move forward with your candidacy.

Although you meet the qualifications for the position, we do not believe that you would be a good fit for our organization and culture. We are looking for someone who possesses certain [specific skills or traits] to align better with our company’s values.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team and wish you all the best in your future job search.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Salary Expectations

Dear [Applicant Name],

We appreciate your interest in the position of [Job Title] with [Company Name]. We carefully considered your application, and while we were impressed by your skills and experience, we regret to inform you that your salary expectations are outside of our budget/salary range for this position.

We understand and appreciate that you have salary expectations in mind and we sincerely apologize that we cannot meet them at this time.

We thank you for taking the time to apply and interview with us and wish you all the best in your job search. If there is anything else we can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Duplicate Application

Dear [Applicant Name],

We want to thank you for showing your interest in the position of [Job Title] with [Company Name]. After a careful review of your application, we have found that you have applied for the same role previously.

While we appreciate your enthusiasm for the position, we would like to remind you that we do not allow duplicate applications for any of the positions advertised. Therefore, we will not be moving forward with your application for the current job opening.

We encourage you to keep an eye out for new vacancies with us and wish you the best of luck in your job search.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Lack of Availability

Dear [Applicant Name],

Thank you very much for taking the time to apply for the position of [Job Title] and for your interest in [Company Name]. We regret to inform you that we have decided not to progress your application any further.

One of the key deciding factors in our decision to deny your application was your current availability, which does not align with the needs and requirements of the position.

We out appreciate your professionalism and interest in [Company Name], and we wish you all the best in your job search. We hope that you will consider us in the future if an opportunity arises that suits your current availability.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Interview Performance

Dear [Applicant Name],

Thank you for taking the time to interview for the position of [Job Title] with [Company Name]. While we appreciate your interest in our organization, we regret to inform you that we will not be moving forward with your application.

Although we were impressed by your qualifications and experience, we are looking for someone who can fully meet the requirements of the position, including exhibiting [specific skills or traits]. During the interview, we found that there were gaps in your ability in these areas, which led us to decide not to proceed with your application.

Thank you again for taking the time to meet with us. We will keep your information within our database and keep you in mind for future openings that may be a better fit for your experience and abilities.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Tips for Writing a Job Denial Email Sample

Getting rejected for a job you were hoping to land can be a difficult pill to swallow. While it’s natural to feel disappointed and discouraged, it’s important to handle the situation professionally. Here are some tips for crafting a job denial email with tact and compassion.

1. Start with a gracious tone. Before getting into the specifics of the rejection, thank the employer for considering you for the position and for the opportunity to interview. Express gratitude for their time and attention, regardless of the outcome.

2. Be honest and straightforward. Don’t beat around the bush or try to cushion the blow. Tell the candidate outright that they were not selected for the role. However, try to be specific about why they weren’t chosen. Was it because lack of experience, skill-set, or cultural fit? Constructive feedback can be helpful for personal improvement and save a lot of future frustrations.

3. Keep it respectful. Avoid saying anything negative about the candidate or giving off any negative vibes. Remember that the recipient of your email may have invested significant time and resources in preparing for the interview and may be feeling disappointed themselves. Let them know that you appreciate their interest in your company and that you hope they will keep pursuing their career aspirations.

4. Offer to keep in touch. Just because the applicant wasn’t the best fit for this particular position doesn’t mean they don’t have potential for future positions. If this is the case, convey that you appreciate and encourage them to reapply for the same or similar positions in the future. Offer to keep their resume on file for future reference, or suggest keeping up with the company’s career postings. Such simple gestures show professionalism and goodwill.

5. Close professionally. End your email with a sincere wish for success and a positive sign off. A professional, respectful tone is a comfort for any candidate, successful or not. Even receiving a polite denial message can convey progress and respect the candidate deserves.

With these tips, you can write a job denial email sample that is compassionate, professional, and respectful – the best way for any candidate to feel respected even after the rejection.

FAQs Related to Job Denial Email Sample


What is a job denial email?

A job denial email is a message sent by a company to a candidate indicating that they were not selected for a job position they applied for.

Why do companies send job denial emails?

Companies send job denial emails as a professional courtesy to candidates who interviewed for the position. It communicates to the candidate that the hiring process has been concluded and they can move on.

What should a job denial email sample include?

A job denial email sample should clearly communicate the decision, acknowledge the candidate’s effort and time, and offer encouragement for future job pursuits.

What tone should a job denial email have?

A job denial email should maintain a professional and courteous tone. It should express gratitude for the candidate’s interest in the company and the position.

How should a job denial email sample be delivered?

A job denial email sample can be delivered through email or postal mail. Email is generally faster and more convenient for both parties.

Should a job denial email sample offer feedback?

It is not necessary for a job denial email sample to offer feedback. However, some companies may choose to provide feedback if it is requested by the candidate.

What can a candidate do after receiving a job denial email?

A candidate can use the feedback given by the company to improve their job application in the future. They can also consider pursuing other job opportunities or asking the company to keep their resume on file for future openings.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope this “job denial email sample” was helpful and provided you with some insight into how to craft your own rejection emails. Remember, it’s important to be honest, professional, and empathetic in your communication. Don’t forget to thank the candidate for their interest and wish them luck in their job search. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you have to deliver bad news – it’s all part of the hiring process. Thanks again for reading, and be sure to check back for more useful articles on the topic of job hunting and hiring. Good luck out there!