Rejecting an application. Sample letter.

Further things to consider when writing rejection letters to job candidates

Rejection Letters

Rejection letters are letters written to inform people that something they have made, written, etc., has been turned down. These letters can be used, for instance, to inform people that they have not been chosen for a job or school enrollment or that a book they have written has not been chosen for publishing. Conveying rejection can be difficult because most people don't know how to say the words without hurting the recipient. Actually, in most cases, people don't write rejection letters at all. They just drop communication with the concerned person, (which is rude). Rejection letters are important because they help build trust and develop goodwill between the parties involved.

After rejection, the people affected will be frustrated no matter what. However, well-drafted rejection letters can soften the blow and encourage them to keep trying. An excellent rejection letter is brief, considerate, and to the point. Begin by thanking the recipient for trying. State your decision politely and assertively, giving reasons for it. If you are rejecting a job application, for instance, give a genuine reason for it and encourage the recipient to apply for other positions. End on a positive note and wish the recipient success.

Letters to Job Candidates

Letters to job candidates are letters sent to applicants who are being considered for certain job positions. These could be acceptance letters to let the candidates know that they have been accepted, rejection letters to unsuccessful candidates, or job offer letters to officially offer job positions to the candidates. In all situations, a letter to a job candidate should be professional, thoughtful, and kind. Although you may think that it's unnecessary to write to a candidate after an unsuccessful interview, there is nothing more unkind than leaving a candidate waiting and wondering. Letters to job candidates are essential in that they eliminate doubts and confusion after an interview.

The best letters to job candidates are professionally and formally written. Use proper address and salutation for the candidate. Start by congratulating the candidate for his/her time. Proceed directly to conveying the intended message. If the candidate has been accepted and offered the job, state so clearly and provide more information about the position. However, if the candidate has been rejected, communicate this assertively and invite him/her to apply in the future. Make the letter short, clear, and to the point and avoid providing unnecessary details. End on a positive note.