Interview Rejection Letter

Interview Rejection Letter

Dear [Applicant's Name],

RE: Interview Rejection

Thank you for taking the time to apply for the position of [Position Title] at [Your Company]. We appreciate your interest in our organization and the effort you put into your application and interview process. We carefully reviewed your qualifications and experience, and although we were impressed with your background, we regret to inform you that we have decided not to move forward with your candidacy at this time.

Our decision was difficult, as we received a large number of highly qualified applications for this position. After a thorough evaluation of all candidates, we selected individuals whose skills and experience were the closest match to our requirements and the needs of the role. While your application showed promise, we have decided to pursue other candidates who we believe align more closely with our current objectives.

Please remember that the hiring process is highly competitive, and many factors are taken into consideration when making a final decision. We encourage you to continue pursuing your career goals and exploring other opportunities that may arise. Your qualifications and experience are valuable, and we believe you will find a suitable match elsewhere.

We genuinely appreciate your interest in joining our team, and we encourage you to keep an eye on our website or career portal for future job openings that may align with your expertise. We often have new positions that may be a better fit for your skills, and we encourage you to apply again in the future.

Once again, we thank you for considering [Your Company] as a potential employer. We wish you the best of luck in your job search and trust that you will find success in your career endeavors.

If you have any questions or require additional feedback regarding your application or the selection process, please feel free to reach out to us. We are more than willing to provide further information that may be helpful to you.

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you every success in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company]

Interview Rejection Letter

Formal Interview Rejection Letter

Subject: Interview Outcome Notification

Dear [Candidate's Name],

Thank you for taking the time to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We truly appreciate the effort you put into the process and the opportunity to learn more about your background and qualifications.

After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that you were not selected for this position. While your skills are commendable, we have chosen another candidate whose experience more closely matches our current needs.

Please know that this decision was not easy, and we encourage you to apply for future opportunities with our company. We wish you the very best in your career journey.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Position]

Simple Interview Rejection Email

Subject: Interview Decision - [Job Title]

Hi [Candidate's Name],

Thank you again for interviewing with us for the [Job Title] role. After reviewing all candidates, we have decided to move forward with someone else at this time.

We truly value the time you invested in this process and wish you success in your future career opportunities.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Positive and Encouraging Interview Rejection Letter

Subject: Thank You for Interviewing with [Company Name]

Dear [Candidate's Name],

It was a pleasure to meet you and learn more about your skills and career goals. We were very impressed by your background and the enthusiasm you brought to the interview process.

Unfortunately, we have selected another candidate for the [Job Title] role. That said, we believe you would be a great fit for future opportunities at our company, and we encourage you to stay in touch.

Thank you again for your interest in [Company Name]. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

Interview Rejection Letter After Final Round

Subject: Interview Outcome - [Job Title] Position

Dear [Candidate's Name],

Thank you for advancing through the interview process and reaching the final stage for the [Job Title] position. We greatly valued your insights and the thoughtful discussions we had.

After much deliberation, we have decided to extend the offer to another candidate whose experience aligns more closely with the role’s immediate requirements. This was a very difficult decision given your strong performance throughout the process.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in [Company Name] and hope you will consider future opportunities with us.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]

Casual Interview Rejection Message

Subject: Update on Your Interview

Hi [Candidate's Name],

Thanks again for meeting with us about the [Job Title] position. We really enjoyed learning more about you and your experiences.

At this time, we’ve decided to move forward with another candidate. We hope you’ll keep an eye on our future openings because we’d love to see your application again.

All the best,

[Your Name]

Interview Rejection Letter with Feedback

Subject: Interview Feedback and Decision

Dear [Candidate's Name],

Thank you for your interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] and for taking the time to attend our interview process. We valued your participation and thoughtful responses.

After reviewing your application, we have decided not to move forward at this time. However, we would like to share some constructive feedback: [Insert specific feedback, e.g., “We recommend highlighting your project management experience more strongly in future interviews.”]

We believe your career holds great promise and hope this feedback will be useful for your professional development.

Best wishes,

[Your Name]

Quick Interview Rejection Email

Subject: Interview Update - [Job Title]

Dear [Candidate's Name],

Thank you for your time and effort during the interview process. After careful consideration, we have chosen to proceed with another candidate.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in [Company Name] and wish you all the best in your career.

Regards,

[Your Name]

Heartfelt Interview Rejection Letter

Subject: Thank You for Interviewing with Us

Dear [Candidate's Name],

It was an honor to learn about your professional journey and the passion you bring to your work. You made a strong impression on our team, and we genuinely admire your dedication.

Unfortunately, after careful consideration, we will not be moving forward with your application for the [Job Title] role. This decision does not diminish the value we saw in your skills and experiences.

We sincerely hope our paths cross again in the future, and we wish you success in every step of your career.

With best regards,

[Your Name]

Why do you need an interview rejection letter?

An interview rejection letter is important because it:

  • Provides closure to candidates after the interview process.
  • Maintains the company’s reputation as professional and respectful.
  • Shows gratitude to candidates for their time and effort.
  • Keeps doors open for future opportunities with strong applicants.

Who should send an interview rejection letter?

  • HR managers or recruiters.
  • The hiring manager overseeing the position.
  • Company representatives responsible for candidate communication.
  • Sometimes an assistant or coordinator on behalf of the hiring team.

When should an interview rejection letter be sent?

  • As soon as a hiring decision is made.
  • Ideally within one week of the interview.
  • Immediately after the final round when a candidate is not selected.
  • After receiving confirmation that the chosen candidate has accepted the offer.

Common mistakes to avoid when sending an interview rejection letter

  • Delaying communication, leaving candidates waiting too long.
  • Using overly generic or cold wording.
  • Forgetting to personalize the candidate’s name and position.
  • Making promises you cannot keep (e.g., “We’ll definitely hire you next time”).
  • Not expressing appreciation for the candidate’s time.

What elements should an interview rejection letter include?

  • A polite greeting using the candidate’s name.
  • A thank-you statement for interviewing.
  • Clear notification of the decision.
  • Optional feedback or encouragement.
  • A closing remark wishing them success.

Tricks and tips for writing interview rejection letters

  • Keep the tone respectful and empathetic.
  • Use concise, clear language.
  • Personalize the letter to show sincerity.
  • If possible, leave the door open for future opportunities.
  • Maintain professionalism, even in casual or quick messages.

Pros and cons of sending interview rejection letters

Pros:

  • Improves the candidate experience.
  • Reflects well on the employer’s brand.
  • Prevents unnecessary follow-up inquiries from candidates.

Cons:

  • Time-consuming if not standardized.
  • Risk of negative reaction if not worded carefully.

After sending: should you follow up?

  • Usually, no follow-up is required once the letter is sent.
  • In some cases, candidates may reply asking for feedback—respond politely if possible.
  • Keep a record of rejection communications for internal HR tracking.
Interview Rejection Letter
Formal interview rejection letter template
Simple rejection email template
Encouraging interview rejection letter template
Rejection letter for final round candidates
Casual rejection message template
Rejection letter including constructive feedback
Quick rejection email template
Heartfelt rejection letter template