What’s a better rejection message you wish recruiters would stick to?

7 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 19,2024 at 12:16AM UTC

   Email the recruiter you were working with and ask for feedback. Specifically ask what skills do you appear not to have that it required? It’s an opportunity to learn for next time when you’re applying for similar

   roles.

2. AnonymousNovember 19,2024 at 3:58PM UTC

   I wouldn't advise this as many will not provide with any feedback. Which the leans to people coming here "why aren't recruiters giving me feedback when I ask for it???"

3. AnonymousNovember 19,2024 at 4:21PM UTC

   I was a recruiter. It’s okay to ask.

4. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 19,2024 at 6:25PM UTC

   I'm curious to know what you think these messages should say.

5. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 3:54PM UTC

   I've been in your shoes.

   Personally, I want the messages to be clearly written and short. And, don't make us work to read between the lines.

   Start a paragraph/sentence with words like "Unfortunately."

   If the applicant went through a series of interviews, do not send the same template you send to someone who didn't interview.

   Don't put me on an emailing campaign to have me consider applying to future jobs (unless I had to complete a portal person stating that's what I want).

   Sometimes the best messages I received were 1. short and easy to scan 2. personalized, 3. offered feedback or a call to offer feedback, 4. some were quite witty ("We know this news may suck, our bad. Not wanting to string you a long. It's not you, it's me. You still rock and we wish you the best."). Bonus points for the companies that ask you if you want to complete an optional short survey on the interview process.

   ----------When I got to this point in my search---where I was deflated--------I started pausing my search and took moments to bring joy into my life---and only tolerate things that work for me.

   I wish you all good things.

6. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 4:25PM UTC

   Why are you blaming recruiter and thinking they are cruel? To clarify, most ATS- applicant tracking systems come fully baked with canned rejection notes intended to be rather bland and generic. Most companies these days are in fear of being sued and so they often use what is just baked in there without making much alteration to what comes in the system. Often especially in bigger companies even if you are what you deem as "the perfect fit" they have many options and qualified folks to choose from. They also could have internal people to consider and also in terms of timing you might be literally a day late or an hour late because they closed the consideration for incoming applicants.

   Instead of focusing on this, work your network. Use the skills you can share to reach out to those and the companies that you really want to work for and go around the system. Reach out to another Admin at the company. Find out why they love working there. Ask them if they have any tips on how to navigate getting noticed by the hiring team. As an alternative reach out to the person whom you think might be the hiring manager and let them know why you want to support them.

   Focus on the positive, don't blame the messenger and do not focus on the rejections and you might find a smoother path to getting the great next job you deserve. Good luck.

7. LinusAbendrothNovember 3,2026 at 4:32PM UTC
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