An interesting piece of mail came my way recently. Not email, but regular old “snail” mail. And the contents made me smile for they were most unusual in this day and age. It was a rejection letter. That’s right – I smiled at a rejection. Not because I was happy to be rejected but because it has been so long since I have seen something like that.
The truth is most companies absolve themselves upfront by the use of the all too familiar disclaimer “Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.” If they were getting thousands of applicants then I could understand maybe, but I am sure than many of the advertised positions especially management level are receiving numbers more in the dozens maybe a hundred or two.
A well-written rejection letter requires an artful touch that leaves the applicant with a pleasant taste in their mouth, and highly unlikely to bad-mouth the organization.
Want a sample? Here’s what they wrote:
Thank you for your application for the position of … at …
Although we were impressed with your qualifications and experience, we have decided to pursue other applicants who more closely reflect the requirements of the position and the needs of the department.
Your interest in employment with … is appreciated and we wish you success in securing a rewarding position.
Truth be told, that is the kind of organization I would be glad to work for if they are so considerate of people not employed to them.
Different Adrian, Rae
But I echo his sentiments, if it’s any consolation! Few companies write personalized rejection letters anymore. But that won’t steal B’s sunshine! 
It could very well be a template because when I worked at the Gleaner over the summer they had a similar template that was mail merged and then signed(the personal touch from the manager).
But on the other hand I agree with B too….it is nice that some companies take the time out to do that because many other companies don’t.
Smile on B…:smile:
True words BC. Rejection letters seem to be the norm actually. I have 3 sitting on my desk so far, and one of them used the above template. I know what they are before I even open them, because if they wanted me for the position they would have phoned me ages ago.
Either way, glad you could use it to bring a smile B.
You know what? I don’t even care. I still think it’s better than the usual silence.
wow.. rejection letters, I’m glad you can smile at them.
I believe they are all just templates and the same places you left the … they just filled in and sent off to everybody who didn’t get selected.