How to Respond to a job rejection email: Turning a "No" into a Networking Opportunity.

Learn how to respond to a job rejection email with template examples – and find out why it’s important.

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Rejection is all part of the process when you’re applying for a new job. It might be hard not to take job rejection personally but remember that there are often hundreds of people applying for the same job.

You might have had your heart set on a new role or company, so a rejection email could come as a blow. But once you’ve had time to process it, it’s always polite to send a response to a rejection email. While it may seem redundant – it’s not. It can help you gain further feedback, network and ensure your details stay in their system if any other opportunities present themselves.

Creating the right response is a tonal balancing act. So, find out how to respond to a rejection email and how to turn a ‘no’ into more opportunities.

Why it’s a good idea to reply to a rejection email.

Besides it being the polite thing to do, there are a number of reasons why you should respond to job rejection emails. By showing that you’re active, interested and professional, it could open the door to further opportunities.

Here are a few advantages to keep in mind the next time you’re debating sending a reply:

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letter
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Job AND declining, opportunity
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Top tips for responding to job rejection emails.

When replying to a job rejection email, you want your response to be clear, succinct and professional. If you’re responding to multiple at a time, these can all use the same, or a similar, template – just make sure you’re adapting them to each application.

Here are a few steps to follow:

1. Thank them for their email.

Start by thanking them for taking the time to send a rejection email. It’s a given that you’ll receive communication after an interview, but most companies often don’t send rejection emails after an unsuccessful application. So, it’s good to show your gratitude, either way.

2. Express your disappointment.

Be honest. They’ll know that the email won’t be an easy read, and they’ll appreciate you addressing the elephant in the room. It also shows how enthusiastic you were about the role (and the company), which helps to further the positive impression they’ll have of you.

3. Request feedback.

Receiving a rejection from a job is the perfect opportunity to ask for feedback. In some cases, if you’ve gone through multiple interviews and tasks, this is the least a company will be willing to do. Feedback will also help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses to improve your application and interview strategy in the future.

4. Show your interest going forward.

A job rejection email doesn’t have to be the end of the road. It’s a great opportunity to network and make an impression so the employer might look to you should another opportunity arise. You never know, the successful applicant might pull out of the process, and a position could open up sooner than you think.

5. Sign off politely and professionally.

Time to round things off. Keep the tone nice and consistent and sign things off professionally. Wish them well, and end on a positive, hopeful note such as ‘Hope to hear from you soon!’.

Example of how to reply to a rejection email.

Subject: Thank You for the Opportunity - Request for Feedback

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I hope this email finds you well.

While I am, of course, disappointed to hear that I was not selected for the [Job Title] position, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you and the team for the opportunity to interview. It was a pleasure to learn more about [Company Name], the role, and the exciting projects the company is working on.

I greatly value the time and effort you invested in the interview process, and I would appreciate any feedback you can provide on my performance or areas where I might improve. Your insights would be very useful as I go on to build upon my skills and look for further opportunities.

Furthermore, I remain very interested in [Company Name] and its mission. If any other opportunities arise that you believe would be a good fit for my background and experience, I would love to stay in touch and be considered for future roles.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to staying connected and wish you and the team continued success.

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]

More editable email responses to an interview rejection email.

Tasks
letter
Topics
Rejection AND sorry
Q

Collection ID

(To pull in manually curated templates if needed)

Orientation


(Horizontal/Vertical)

Vertical

Width


(Full, Std, sixcols)

sixcols

Limit


(number of templates to load each pagination. Min. 5)

6
Animated
All

Sort

Most Viewed

Rare & Original

Newest to Oldest

Oldest to Newest

Newest to Oldest
Locales
GB or EN

Premium


(true, false, all) true or false will limit to premium only or free only.

false

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Good to know.

Should I say thank you to a rejection email?

Yes, saying thank you is an important part of showing gratitude for the opportunity to interview for a job. Or, even just showing gratitude that they sent a rejection email in the first place. You always want to keep things polite and professional, as it could help you build industry contacts.

Can you still get the job after a rejection email?

While a rejection email is often final, there’s nothing wrong with taking things a little further. For example, you may want to ask for feedback or ask after to be considered for similar roles in the future. However, you don’t want to come across as pleading, as this isn’t very professional and is likely to dissuade an employer.

How soon should you reply after a rejection email?

As soon as you can is always best. However, you don’t want to jump to respond instantly, as you should take your time in constructing a reply. Try to send your rejection email response on the same day, if you can. Of course, you’re not expected to keep up communications if you’re ill or on holiday.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 2GB of storage. See our  pricing page for details and to compare plans.