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How do you tell job applicants that they didn't get the job?

E

Epsil0n00

Golden Member
I am in the position of delivering the news to a couple of job applicants that they did not get the position. Do you all have any advice for how to deliver the not-so-positive news? What have people told you when you got turned down--did you like what they said to you (was it respectful and understandable?)?

Thanks for the advice...
Epsil0n
 
Just leave 'em hanging...that's what everyone's been doing to me 🙁 (Been looking for a job since Feburary.)

Nate
 
Be honest and explain WHY they were not chosen. When I was interviewing for after college jobs and got turned down that was my biggest complaint. I had no idea whether it was something about how the interview went, experinece/or lack thereof, my resume. Just tell them what in particular they could improve on.

I hated getting generic form letters that I was not chosen.
 
I will be calling them on the phone. We had them in for interviews this week, so the contact is very fresh and current.

Nate: sorry to hear the bad news... keep your hopes up!
 
Wrong, sir. Wrong. Under section 37B of the contract signed by him, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if - and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy - "I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained," et cetera, et cetera..."Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum," et cetera, et cetera..."Memo bis punitor delicatum". It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal. Your interview was horrible and you should consider changing careers so you get nothing. You lose. Good day sir.
 
Tell them you have good news and bad news.

Tell them the bad news: "Sorry we decided to choose another applicant.
When they ask what the good news is, you say: "I saved a bundle on my car insurance."
 
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
Tell them you have good news and bad news.

Tell them the bad news: "Sorry we decided to choose another applicant.
When they ask what the good news is, you say: "I saved a bundle on my car insurance."
Click to expand...

Boo! 😛

Nate
 
Thank you for submitting your resume in response to ______________.

We have determined that while your experience is notable, we have other candidates whose qualifications more closely match the requirements for this position. We have your resume in our database and should another position opens that matches your background, we will contact you directly to determine your availability and level of interest.

Thank you again for your interest in __________ and good luck in all of your future endeavors!

Sincerely,
 
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Wrong, sir. Wrong. Under section 37B of the contract signed by him, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if - and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy - "I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained," et cetera, et cetera..."Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum," et cetera, et cetera..."Memo bis punitor delicatum". It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal. Your interview was horrible and you should consider changing careers so you get nothing. You lose. Good day sir.
Click to expand...

I have to say that the knowledge from Willy Wonka certainly does apply in every situation!

Good call CorporateRecreation!
 
Originally posted by: NTB
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
Tell them you have good news and bad news.

Tell them the bad news: "Sorry we decided to choose another applicant.
When they ask what the good news is, you say: "I saved a bundle on my car insurance."
Click to expand...

Boo! 😛

Nate
Click to expand...

Sorry, that stupid commercial was on.
 
tell them that it was extremely competetive, but you guys ultimately picked the applicants with more experience. It's always nice blaming it on factors that are largely beyond people's control 🙂
 
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
Tell them you have good news and bad news.

Tell them the bad news: "Sorry we decided to choose another applicant.
When they ask what the good news is, you say: "I saved a bundle on my car insurance."
Click to expand...

Ha! Nice... I'll keep that in mind.
 
Originally posted by: NTB
Just leave 'em hanging...that's what everyone's been doing to me 🙁 (Been looking for a job since Feburary.)

Nate
Click to expand...


Same experience here when I first got out of college. Usually - the applicant (me) would call back to get an answer.
 
While I think honesty is a good idea, the fact is that you just don't want to get into a discussion of what the considerations where that went into the decision. It could open you (or the company) up to legal issues down the road, and it often creates animosity. Basically, there's no way to "make it better". Don't sugarcoat it, just say "I'm sorry, but the hiring manager decided to go in a different direction.". Don't make any false reasons, or go into details.
 
In my case, they usually just never called me back...

Someone post that scanned rejection letter where the guy called the HR lady a whore or something like that... it was British is all I can remember, I can't find it.
 
Be upfront with them. You might end up hiring them in the future so be respectful and let them know the news as soon as possible. If you have a bunch just say you were going in a different direction [insert generic line here] but if you have a few you were very impressed with then let them know what it would take for them to be hired.

Don't leave them hanging though, it's enough pressure as is looking for a job.
 
Tell them they got the job but you require a monthly kickback and/or sexual favors, when they agree to that tell them it was a test and they failed.............click.
 
How about you just tell them something like this
"While I see that you are qualified for this position, there was only one opening, and we could currently only hire one person. After a difficult process, we have determined that this person is not you. We will keep your resume on file in case there are any similar future openings, however, I can not guarantee anything, as it's impossible to tell the future for sure. Thanks for your time. Have a nice day."

 
Originally posted by: Slacker
Tell them they got the job but you require a monthly kickback and/or sexual favors, when they agree to that tell them it was a test and they failed.............click.
Click to expand...


Hahahaha!
 
Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
How about you just tell them something like this
"While I see that you are qualified for this position, there was only one opening, and we could currently only hire one person. After a difficult process, we have determined that this person is not you. We will keep your resume on file in case there are any similar future openings, however, I can not guarantee anything, as it's impossible to tell the future for sure. Thanks for your time. Have a nice day."
Click to expand...

😉
 
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