Idaho Law Blog
As an employer you have faced this situation many times. You completed the job application. You narrowed down and interviewed your top choices. All of your hard work paid off and you found the right person for the job. You are excited to hire this person and have them begin working for your business. But wait a minute. You have 4 or 5 other applicants who are not going to get the job. Now you have to let them know they didn’t get the job. The truth about being an employer is that how you treat those individuals who are being rejected for a job matters. Every situation is an opportunity to build goodwill and a positive business image, including sending out rejection letters.
Sometimes rejection letters are known as a “no thanks letter.” When a rejection letter is viewed as an opportunity, it can end in a positive result for everyone. For instance, when an employer believes that the candidate would qualify for other roles in their company the employer could let the person know that they should apply for a different position. Alternatively, the employer could encourage the applicant to apply again in the future. When a rejection letter is positive, it can maintain a good relationship.
So how does an employer create a positive tone in a rejection letter. While there are several ways this can be done, the most common including one or more of the following:
- A rejection letter should be honest. The employer should never write something in the rejection letter that it doesn’t mean. A good example of this is don’t suggest that the person apply for other openings when you know the candidate doesn’t fit the employer’s culture.
- When you personalize a rejection letter with the candidate’s name and a remark about the interview that is personal, the applicant will know that you remember them specifically. Form letters are never a good idea.
- The rejection letter should be straightforward and honest.
- Keep the tone of the letter respectful.
Yes, rejection letters are difficult to write and to send out. No one wants to be rejected. However, effective business owners and good employers always know that even a rejection letter is an opportunity to build good-will. By keeping the tips mentioned above in mind, rejecting applicants doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.
If you are an employer and you have questions about the hiring process or using rejection letters, we can help. Call us toll free at 877-232-6101 or 208-232-6101 for a consultation with Lane Erickson and the Racine Olson team of Employment Law attorneys in Idaho. You can also email Lane Erickson directly at lve@racinelaw.net. We will answer your Idaho Employment Law questions and will help you solve your Idaho Employment Law problems.
This website includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and must not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You need to contact a lawyer for advice on specific legal issues.