How to Decline a Job Applicant

Telling someone they didn't get the job can be uncomfortable.

As the person in charge of hiring people for a new position at your business, you will often have to tell people who apply that you don't want to hire them. If you don't have a lot of experience in this area or are uncomfortable with rejection yourself, then you should practice a little before declining job applicants -- especially if you have a lot of applications to handle.

Instructions

1. Sort through the applications or resumes you received for the job for which you are hiring. Anyone that you did not interview does not need to be contacted.

2. Craft and send a polite, well-written form letter for anyone you interviewed but did not make the final cut. Thank the candidate in the letter for his time and effort, but explain that you filled the position. Encourage the candidates to apply for future openings. This is a polite and respectful practice and keeps candidates from calling and asking about the job repeatedly.

3. Call or email anyone who made the final cut for the position. Certainly, if the candidates knew that they were a finalist, then they will be understandably disappointed. Calling or emailing shows respect and consideration for them.

4. Avoid engaging in discussion as to why you didn't hire the applicant. If the candidate asks you why you didn't select them, be respectful but don't engage in a debate and don't give them the opportunity to try and sway you from your original decision.

5. Reassure the candidate that they were highly credentialed and that they have potential, but that they were just not right for this position. Make sure you do not divulge the details of your decision or you could leave your company open to legal issues.

References

• Sideroad: How to Reject a Job Applicant
• HR Magazine: The Art of Saying No