A number of years ago I got rejected for a job.
I know, I know, you are probably as surprised as I was. The funny part is, I got the hard copy, snail mail rejection letter 18 months after I had apparently applied. I went back into my email to try to figure out what really happened.
You see, as a Recruiting Pro, I wouldn’t actually apply through an ATS, especially for an executive position, which this was. My email confirmed that fact; I had sent the Chief HR Officer of a large organization my resume directly. This rejection letter was from that contact.
Yes, it took 18 months. Send a resume. No communication for 18 months. Then I get a rejection letter. That’s the time line.
How’s that for a solid candidate experience!
Ever since this happened, I’ve had strong beliefs about what you should and should not do when it comes to sending out rejection letters. So, here’s my deal about rejection letters:
In the end, you want your rejection letters to make people feel like, “I’m glad I applied, and I would apply again and I would continue or will start using this organization, and/or buy their product or service.” It’s not easy, but it can be done.
If you really want to know what people think of your rejection process, pick up the phone and call a few that have made it to different levels of the hiring process and just ask them. People who get rejected are more than happy to give you feedback!
This was originally published on Tim Sackett’s blog, The Tim Sackett Project.