rejections

What to know about job rejections — why they happen, deciphering form letters, asking for feedback, and not getting discouraged.

am I wrong to be insulted by this rejection letter?

A reader writes: I received the following rejection: Thank you for applying for our CRM position. We appreciate your interest in our work and enjoyed the chance to review your resume. Our committee has now reviewed all the applicants and you were not selected for the interview process. Their decision in no way reflects upon your […]

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a tale of post-interview feedback success

A reader writes: I just wanted to write in and thank you for the way that your blog has helped me in my (ongoing) job search.  I have been looking for work after a summer spent travelling, and I had an application in that I was really excited about. The employer I’d be working for […]

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does “we’ll keep your resume on file” really mean anything?

A reader writes: In most of the jobs where I’ve been interviewed and rejected the rejection letter says something like “We will hold on to your resume and contact you if we ever have any jobs that meets your needs” or something like this. Is this just being polite or is it possible that some time down the road they […]

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should I call out an HR person for lying to me?

A reader writes: I recently applied for a city government communications position for which I was perfectly qualified. They asked me last minute to fly out for a four-person panel interview and even went as far as rearranging the panel date so that I could make it, even after I suggested an initial Skype interview […]

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job rejections should come via email, not via a phone call

A reader writes: Please pass this information on to the interviewers and managers. I prefer NOT to receive a “thanks, but no thanks” telephone call/message when I didn’t get a job. I truly appreciate the relay of information; however, only via email or snail mail. When the phone rings, or I listen to a vague […]

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angry that I didn’t get the job; can I protest this?

A reader writes: Following an advertisement on the website, I applied for a job ( through an agent). I have been subjected to a telephone interview, face to face interview with the person supposedly to be reporting to. Later they sent forms for my criminal record checks, reference checks and completion of employee profile form, […]

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saying thank-you after getting job rejection feedback

If you ask someone who rejected you for a job for feedback about how you could do better next time and that person takes the time to respond, you really, really should follow up with at least a “thank you.” Giving that feedback is not obligatory, and many employers ignore those requests. If someone takes […]

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