Rejection Email — Tip of the Week

A lot of people are out of work. A lot of people are looking for jobs. Most will go to great lengths to interview for a job. They’ll travel long distances at their own expense. They’ll come back for second and third interviews.

If you decide to reject an applicant who’s been given an interview or two or if you decide that you shouldn’t have been interviewing at all and can’t hire anyone until the economy gets better, treat the rejected applicant with dignity. She may still be dealing with the pain, even humiliation, of a layoff. She may be fast approaching desperation.

We now rely on email to communicate everything. Email has replaced telephone calls and personal, one-on-one conversations. But don’t email an applicant a rejection notice. Send a personal (not a form) letter. Or make a phone call. If you handle it this way, you’ll make it just a little easier on the rejected applicant, and your reputation as an employer will be enhanced. It’s the little things that are sometimes big, especially during bad economic times.

1. 

   Grant Healy says:

   February 7, 2009 at 12:07 pm

   Very interesting article, as are some of your other posts. I have bookmarked your great site for future visits.
2. 

   C. G. says:

   February 11, 2009 at 8:39 am

   I am new to this. Will add to bookmarks for further viewing. TY