To expect a rejection letter

[JanuaryShoes]

I've just applied for a job, I got a letter acknowledging my application and then nothing.

The interview day has long passed so I assume I haven't been successful.

Isn't it just good manners to send a letter of rejection?

[BrianTheMole]

Why don't you ring and ask for feedback?

[sallysoubriquet]

Yes it is, but a lot of places cover themselves with an 'if you don't hear from us byx date please assume you have not been successful...' type of thing.


Last time we recruited I acknowledged all applications and sent an email to all unsuccessful applicants. With a basic email template, tweaked as appropriate, it takes very little time and no actual cost, but it's worth huge amounts in goodwill (very important when you are a small family business...very importnat anyway!) I lost count of the number of people who replied to my rejection email saying how pleased they were to get it and how unusual it is.

It did make me wonder whether I should write back thanking them for their thank you, but I thought that might be over egging it!

[JanuaryShoes]

I'm planning to. I'm a bit nervous to be honest, it's the first time I've applied for a job since stopping to have my family. I thought my application form was pretty good but maybe not

[Juno77]

Sadly this is the case now, there are hundreds of applicants for each position. It just isn't feasible to respond to them all.

You are lucky you got an acknowledgement to be honest.

[JanuaryShoes]

Sally - that's what I thought. I applied to a local business and we're customers of theirs (although they wouldn't know that from my application). I'm definitely inclined not to use them anymore so think you're doing the right thing. Although, thanking the thank yous may be going a bit far

[JanuaryShoes]

That makes me sad Juno - it took hours and hours to complete my application. It wouldn't take that long to do a mail merge rejection letter.

[Juno77]

Indeed, but they don't. Especially small business who just don't have the time or facility.

I applied for over 100 jobs last year when I was looking to move. I got maybe, 10% of responses.

I hired 2 staff myself this year. Advert in the job centre, over 250 applicants for two positions. We are a small business, I don't have a mail merge facility and I couldn't afford to spend time replying. So all applicants never heard back, bar the 8 that I interviewed.

I did obviously respond to the 6 unsuccessful people, but I just couldn't reply to the rest to let them know they weren't going to interview.

[Sheldonswhiteboard]

I'm afraid we only send out rejection letters to those we have interviewed but we do put the "if you haven't heard from us by xx" on the application packs. I think most companies operate on this basis though.

[sallysoubriquet]

Well we are similarly placed to you Juno and are thankfully very busy but respecting applicants who are potential customers is a top priority. I guess when you own the place (hah!!!) you make the time.

[myitchybeaver]

It does take a long time to send rejection letters. I manage a small business and do all my own HR. I cannot respond to every application or CV I receive. It sounds like a quick 'mail merge' but it's not that simple. Two thirds of the applicants don't supply/have email addresses so I have to type and print a letter, write the address on the envelope, put the letter in and then take my mail to the post box. I have no admin support.

When I started this job I did everything 'properly' and I nearly had a breakdown. Some corners need to be cut. It's not necessarily laziness or incompetence.

[sallysoubriquet]

Two thirds of the applicants don't supply/have email addresses


This is easily overcome by requesting all applications be sent by email: not too big an ask nowadays.

Honestly, honestly, it really is that simple! And SO worth it!

[sallysoubriquet]

Looks like I'm fighting a rear guard action all on my own here!

[DameDeepRedBetty]

I've always acknowledged job enquiries etc, but since I've never had to advertise for staff yet I haven't had the hundreds of applications to deal with scenario.

I regularly get calls or emails from people who would like to be dogwalkers or sitters, and have so far always filled my vacancies from these. I feel that anyone who has been motivated enough to make on-spec enquiries like this is likely to be the sort of self-reliant person I need.

[myitchybeaver]

sally I completely disagree with you! You must have so much more time than me (and other similar business owners that I know). Each to their own.

[MrsKoala]

Unfortunately it's very rare to get a rejection letter. I've spent weeks on applications and not heard anything. I've also spent ages preparing for interviews, putting together presentations and printing hand outs and buying a new suit to turn up to people wearing ripped jeans, flip flops and vests (the Tate), no projection equipment (English Heritage), and once no chairs, so i had to sit on the floor (The Old Vic). I have even not heard back after interviews and had to call weeks later. Surely if you taken a day off work and put lots of effort in people could have the decency to let you know.

[JustGettingOnWithIt]

"I thought my application form was pretty good but maybe not "

Don't let it knock your confidence, there's probably nothing wrong with your application, just lots of competition at the moment.

[givemeaclue]

This is normal, you will need to toughen up and not take it personally. Don't boycott the business because of it! Do apply for lots more jobs, you need to apply for lots to get anything not one at a time. Good luck

[Juno77]

Sally Sorry but I also disagree! I just haven't got time. You must have a lot more spare time than me too, I just could not justify sending out 250+ rejection letters/emails. My time is worth too much.


I wish I had the time spare that you do!

[sallysoubriquet]

Well you would know exactly how busy I am Mitchy (the fact that we are both MNing suggests there is some slack somewhere for both of us!!)

But try as I might I can never find any excuse for lack of courtesy. As you say , each to his/her own.

[Juno77]

It's not 'lack of courtesy' though, is it? It's lack of resources at work.

I mean, I just cannot justify paying myself for hours spent responding to over 250 applicants. That time can be better spent.

It's not great, I agree, but please don't call me uncourteous. I would love to respond to each and every applicant, but it would take hours. And that costs money, money a small business can't afford.

*It's my day off today, in case you wonder why I am MNing

[sallysoubriquet]

Well as I say Juno we clearly all have a bit of slack.


But seeing as snidey remarks seem to be oikay maybe I should just say that if you were to work as efficiently as I do (alright alright) and introduce smart systems which cost nothing if you have a basic suite of PC applications then you might find you have the time for really important stuff too.


I'm out. January YANBU....not at all!

[sallysoubriquet]

But I didn't call you uncourteous Juno I didn't even call you discourteous! (Christ I'm on a roll today!!!)


Please show me where I did!

[Juno77]

Oh, I am only 'slacking' today as it is my day off. Are you suggesting I do it today?! I am not going to work for free!

Can you give me an idea of these free smart systems? I would be really interested if there was a way to respond en mass to things.

Oh, and don't be snidey

[Juno77]

In was referring to this comment:

But try as I might I can never find any excuse for lack of courtesy. As you say , each to his/her own.

Which implied that those of us who don't have time are being uncourteous (or discourteous, if you prefer?)

[sallysoubriquet]

Seriously Juno if you would like to PM me I will tell you what I do to make it the matter of a couple of seconds per applicant!

And as I say, we own the business so in a sense everything we do is paid/for free. It is of course a different matter if you are paid for your time!

Snidey hugs!!