Rejection Email
An official notification from an employer that your application will not advance further. Most companies send generic rejection emails; some don't send them at all ('ghosting'). What to do after rejection: keep notes, stay professional, and sometimes request feedback.
A rejection email is a formal notification that your application has been declined at some stage — after initial screening, after interviews, or after a final round. The tone and content vary significantly by company and stage. **Types of rejection:** - **Pre-screen rejection**: Often automated, within days of applying. Usually no feedback. - **Post-phone-screen rejection**: After a recruiter call. Occasionally includes a brief reason ('your experience level doesn't quite match what we need at this stage'). - **Post-interview rejection**: After one or more interview rounds. Companies occasionally offer specific feedback; most send generic messages. **The generic rejection problem:** Most rejection emails are legally cautious and unhelpfully vague ('We've decided to move forward with other candidates who more closely match the requirements'). This tells you nothing you can act on. **How to respond:** 1. Acknowledge graciously (optional but professional) 2. Express genuine interest in future opportunities 3. If post-interview, ask for specific feedback: 'If there's anything specific I could improve for future roles, I'd genuinely appreciate any feedback you can share.' **The 30% who respond:** Only a minority of recruiters and hiring managers provide real feedback, but asking costs nothing and occasionally yields actionable insight. **Re-applying:** Rejection doesn't mean 'never.' If you've improved your skills and a new relevant role opens at the same company in 12-18 months, reapplying is generally acceptable.
Why it matters
How you respond to rejection affects your reputation with that employer for future roles. A gracious, professional acknowledgment keeps the door open; a frustrated or entitled response closes it permanently.
Candidate tip
After a post-interview rejection, send a brief, professional reply thanking the interviewer for their time and asking for feedback — it's a 2-minute effort with occasional high-value payoff.
Put this into practice with the candidate.so Application Tracker.
Learn more →Related terms
Ghosting
ApplicationsWhen an employer stops communicating with a candidate without explanation — no rejection email, no follow-up, just silence. Unfortunately common at all stages of the hiring process. Sending a brief follow-up once or twice is appropriate; extended silence is a soft rejection.
Application Status
ApplicationsWhere your job application stands in the hiring process — typically categories like Applied, Under Review, Phone Screen, Interviewing, Offer, Rejected. Tracking status across all active applications keeps your job search pipeline visible and manageable.
Follow-Up Email
ApplicationsA message sent to a recruiter or hiring team after submitting an application or completing an interview to express continued interest, provide additional information, or check on application status. Timing and tone matter: too aggressive is off-putting; too passive means missed opportunities.
Hiring Process
ApplicationsThe full sequence of steps an employer uses to evaluate and hire candidates — from job posting to background check to offer. Processes vary by company size and role, but typically include: application, screen, interview rounds, assessment, reference check, and offer.