But here’s something that might change your perspective: A thank-you note after a job rejection is not just a thank-you note. It’s also a stealth mission.
Sample Thank-You Letter After Being Rejected for a Job
This is an example of a thank-you letter for when you didn’t get the job. Download the thank-you letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.
How to Turn Your Thank-You Letter Into an Opportunity
It’s OK to acknowledge your disappointment in not getting the job—in fact, it’s probably best to be honest about that, lest your letter seem disingenuous. But keep your tone positive and upbeat: now is not the time to express anger or to rail against the hiring manager’s decision-making skills. (Save that for conversations with your friends and family.) July 27, 2020 Susane GreeneDirector, Human ResourcesXYZ Corp123 Business Rd.Business City, NY 54321 Dear Ms. Greene: I truly enjoyed meeting with you and discussing the position of assistant manager at XYZ Corp. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to tell me about the job and the company and for spending part of a busy afternoon showing me around. While of course I was disappointed to learn that you’d be moving forward with another candidate, I appreciated the chance to speak with you and learn more about what XYZ will be doing in the coming year. I was especially interested in the ABC project and how it will affect the marketplace. As a big fan of XYZ, I’ll be watching the rollout with interest. I hope that you’ll keep me in mind for future opportunities, as I know XYZ is growing. I’d love the chance to put my skills to work for an organization that I admire. Sincerely, Jane Smith Dear Ms. Snow, Thank you so much for taking the time to inform me that you have hired another candidate for the Marketing Assistant position with IceBreakers Inc. While I am, of course, disappointed that I was not selected for this role, I am very grateful that you took the time to interview me twice. It was good to learn that you chose your new Marketing Assistant because they had slightly more experience than I did and possessed a greater knowledge of how to create original graphic designs on the multiple Adobe Creative Cloud platforms (Adobe InDesign and Illustrator). Realizing my limitations in the use of this software, I’ve just enrolled in a certification course at Valley View Community College so that I will soon be able to add digital design skills to my professional toolbelt. I know that this training will significantly extend my effectiveness in social media management, public relations, and marketing communications! Again, thanks for making our interviews so collegial and informative. I was truly impressed by IceBreakers’ office culture, and I would be grateful if you would consider me for future appropriate positions that may open with your company. Best regards, Avram Connors Be specific about the things you’re thanking them for: their time, yes, but also the information they provided, especially if you’re excited about it, and any special steps they took to make your interview worthwhile, including an office tour or a business lunch, for example. Finally, offer an opportunity for follow-up by asking to be considered for future positions. Just because this particular position wasn’t a good fit for you today doesn’t mean there won’t be something even better available tomorrow. If you’re gracious in your thank-you letter, you could be first in line for that new role. Optionally, you can also ask for feedback with questions like “Did you identify any key qualifications for this job which were missing in my background?” Just don’t be surprised if the hiring manager doesn’t respond or doesn’t provide an in-depth answer. There might not be a specific reason why another candidate was selected over you, and even if there was, the interviewer might not feel comfortable delivering criticism. If so, that’s their problem, not yours.
What to Include in Your Thank-You Letter
The usual business letter or business email rules apply. Include:
Your contact informationA salutation and sign-offYour signature (written, if in a physical letter)The position for which you were interviewing
As always, your communication should be proofread, accurately spelled and punctuated, and error-free. Double-check the names and spellings of the people, companies, and products involved. Nothing is less impressive than a thank-you letter that misspells the name of the recipient or organization. Take care to render corporate names accurately as well. If the company spells its products’ names in all-lowercase letters or with a random capital in the middle, they’ll expect a savvy interviewee to do the same.
