The Rejection Email Response That Gets You Hired
Here’s something nobody does: responding to rejection emails.
You get the “we decided to move forward with other candidates” message.
You feel defeated, maybe angry, definitely disappointed.
You delete it and move on.
Wrong move.
Reply to that email.
Here’s what you say: “Thank you for letting me know. I’m disappointed, but I appreciate you considering me. I’m genuinely interested in [Company] and would love any feedback on how I could be a stronger candidate for future opportunities. I hope we can stay in touch.”
That’s it.
Short, professional, not desperate.
Now here’s what happens.
Most candidates never respond.
You just stood out by being gracious.
The recruiter remembers you as “that person who handled rejection well.”
Sometimes they actually give you useful feedback.
Sometimes they keep you in mind for other roles.
Sometimes the candidate they chose doesn’t work out and they circle back to you.
I know three people personally who got hired months after a rejection because they responded professionally.
One got a different role at the same company six months later.
One got referred to a partner company immediately.
One got a call when their first choice candidate declined the offer.
Your response to rejection is part of your brand.
Most people show who they are when things go well.
Few people show class when things don’t.
Be in the second group.
Because the job search isn’t about one opportunity.
It’s about building relationships that compound over time.
That rejection email?
It’s actually an opportunity.
Most people just don’t see it.