Tactful rejecting letter

[spicy]

I have interviewed several people for a job and now need to send letters to the unsuccessful candidates. This is something I have not done before and I am wondering how to tactfully phrase the letter. I don't want to dishearten them and I don't want to burn bridges as I may need their help in the future. I would really appreciate any advice or example letters.

Thank you Guys

[Parrot of doom]

Hello Mr X

You weren't good enough for the job, so I gave it to someone who was.

Kind Regards

Mr Y

[vixpy1]

Dear Sir/Madam

We are sorry to say that you have been unsuccessfull in appling for the position of (insert here). We would like to thank you for taking the time to come and see us and for considering a position at our company. We wish you all the best in the furture.

signed..xx


Or..

Dear Madam,

We are sorry to say that you have been unsuccessfull in appling for the position of (insert here). You were beaten to the position by a women with bigger tits who was more likely to put out.

Ta..

signed..

[spicy]

Vixpy1, second letter would be good if I was either a bloke or a lesbian but last time I checked I was neither

Parrot of Doom, I can be very blunt and tactless but hopefully with everyones help I'll be nice for a change!

Would it be bad if I sent the rejection by e-mail?

>> Edited by spicy on Friday 28th October 18:57

[miniman]

Dear Loser,

Welcome to Dolesville. Population: You

Rgds etc etc


or

Dear Sir,

Congratulations, you will be pleased to know that you are our preferred candidate. However, I regret to inform you that a new government directive issued today states that we must employ at least one one-eyed, lesbian pogo-stick varnisher, and therefore I regret that we cannot in reality offer you the position.

Rgds etc etc

[Tall_Paul]

"Dear [name],

Thank you for your application for the position of [inseert position] within our company. ***add if relavant*** The standard of applicants was extremely high, and after careful consideration, I regret to inform you that on this occasion, you have been unsuccsesful. We/I wish you every luck in your job hunting, and would like to tank you for considering a position ot our company."

What ever you do, try to reply to them them asap, its hell waiting to see if you've got the job (or not)

[Mr E]

miniman said:

Dear Sir, Congratulations, you will be pleased to know that you are our preferred candidate. However, I regret to inform you that a new government directive issued today states that we must employ at least one one-eyed, lesbian pogo-stick varnisher, and therefore I regret that we cannot in reality offer you the position. Rgds etc etc

Would be funny, but too accurate...

[popov123]

Dear So'an'so

Thank you for attending interview for **** position on **/**/** date.

We regret to inform you that you have not been successful in your application, however we would like to keep your details on file if a suitable position should become available. The standard of application and interview was high and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you and wish you luck in your search for employment.

Best Regards

Computer says No.... :cough:

[cosmoschick]

vixpy1 said:

Dear Sir, We are sorry to say that you have been unsuccessfull in appling for the position of (insert here). You were beaten to the position by a man with a bigger trouser bulge who was more likely to put out. Ta.. signed..

Vixpy1, I do worry about you sometimes!

[406]

vixpy1 said:

Dear Sir/Madam We are sorry to say that you have been unsuccessfull in appling for the position of (insert here). You were beaten to the position by a women who thought The Winged Horse of Chav Tat was a style icon, had bigger tits and much more likely to put out to the selection board. Ta.. signed..

Pure Class

[ZR1cliff]

Dear applicant,
I was very impressed with all the interviews i held on 25/10/05 most of all by the high standards that i came across,however at this time i am sorry to say that you were unsuccsesful and would welcome your application for any other positions that might arise.

Regards,
*******

[spicy]

Thanks, you have been great. I feel a little less sh!t about telling them. Sad thing is they were actually all very good but I can't take them all. I have tried friends to see if they are recruiting and have given the candidates their details. I've only got one more person to tell but his phone's engaged. Then I'll write letters tomorrow.

Cheers

[DanBoy]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Knock knock

(Who's there)?

Not you anymore! Hah!

Sincerely,

Dan.

[UKBob]

Tact is good, but weave in some honesty as well. Making them aware of their weak spots (which can be polished) is the single most helpful thing you could do, so they know what employers like youself are really looking for.

[vixpy1]

cosmoschick said:

vixpy1 said: Dear Sir, We are sorry to say that you have been unsuccessfull in appling for the position of (insert here). You were beaten to the position by a man with a bigger trouser bulge who was more likely to put out. Ta.. signed.. Vixpy1, I do worry about you sometimes!

Hey, I'm not the one obsessed by male bulges!

[judas]

Dear Applicant,

[LittleBritain]Computer says no...[/LittleBritain]

regards etc.



Which reminds me - I have to send some of these myself next week.

[seafarer]

los Angeles said:

There are rejection letters that smack of cliched indifference: "I am sorry to say..." - the writer is not sorry at all. And there are rejection letters that are so impersonal as to be offensive: " Dear sir or madam, We pride ourselves on employing only the best and ..." The main thing to remember is, everyone is entitled to hope. Never leave a failed candidate with the impression they are worthless. Try something more heartfelt. Dear ... By now you will have guessed we did not decide in your favour. There is no dishonour in not achieving your goal. The competition was strong, our deliberations, methodical. However, I want you to know we were impressed with your interview and hope you will consider our company for work again should another post ever arise. I and my colleagues wish to thank you for the time and trouble you took to talk to us. We wish you success in your endeavours to find suitable employment. Kind regards. If you were NOT impressed with the candidate then substitute the following sentence for the one I have italicised: The post has been offered to a candidate who embodies all the criteria for selection we feel absolutely necessary for this important work. LA

That is a really nice letter, LA. It's compassionate without being dishonest.

[seafarer]

UKBob said:

Tact is good, but weave in some honesty as well. Making them aware of their weak spots (which can be polished) is the single most helpful thing you could do, so they know what employers like youself are really looking for.

Another excellent point. Sometimes it's down to best fit with the skills already in the company, or compatible work styles, or something more nebulus like that. Other times, maybe a person didn't have enough of a particular type of experience or skill. (this is assuming they weren't completely atrocious people to begin with)

[judas]

Actually, for all my fatuous comments above () there's some good advice here, which I will draw upon come letter writing time next week.

Cheers chaps!

[dilbert]

Parrot of doom said:

Hello Mr X You weren't good enough for the job, so I gave it to someone who was. Kind Regards Mr Y

I think I'd prefer that to what I've recently experienced.

I interviewed, they sent me a letter saying that due to a "highly successful recruitment campaign they were unable to employ me".

The following week there was no advert, then the week after that they were recruiting for the very same job!