How to Tell an Applicant They Didn’t Get the Job

26 of July, 2022

No ones likes to deliver bad news. However, managers are often faced with the delicate task to tell an applicant that they didn’t get the job. Some of them get around the problem by not saying anything at all. But we can all agree that is not a very professional move. Indeed, notifying a candidate about the unsuccessful result of their application shows proper respect for the interest they have shown to the company. Moreover, if a candidate is left in the dark, there is a big chance that they will tell their friends and professional contacts about it, thus negatively impacting your reputation. In this article, we tell you the best way to inform someone that they didn’t get the job.

How to tell a candidate they were not selected?

Choose the right medium

When it comes to the task of how to tell an applicant they didn’t get the job many questions arise. Should you send the unsuccessful candidate an email or should you call them? In general, an email is sufficient if the person has only sent you their CV and cover letter, without going through an interview or having a lot of contact with the hiring team. However, if you interviewed them, then it is better to give them a call.

Thank the candidate

Start by thanking the candidate for the interest they shown for your company and the position you offer. They will appreciate it if you acknowledge the time and effort that they put in their application.

Provide feedback

Give the reason why the person’s application was rejected. Explain if the candidate didn’t quite fit the profile you were looking for. Or maybe you found someone who was, in your opinion, better suited for the job. If the candidate asks for more detail, you can tell them what areas of their professional profile they could improve in order to increase their chances to be selected in the future.

End on a positive note but don’t give false hope

Tell the candidate that you hope they will be successful in their next endeavors. Do you feel like you could be interested in hiring them at another time, or for another position? Then make sure to have a way to keep in touch with them. Invite them to apply to your other job offers or to contact you at a later time to see if there is any available position. Or, you can ask for their permission to contact them yourself whenever you have a vacancy that they could fill in.

However, if you think the candidate will never be a good fit for your company, refrain from giving them false hope by hinting at a hiring possibility at your company. Limit yourself to wishing them all the best for the future.

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