[General] Responding to a job rejection letter

[Dominoes]

I want to include this sentence in my job rejection letter: Can I have some feedback on why my application was unsuccessful, please?

Can I say that?

Thanks

 

[emsr2d2]

I want to include this sentence in my job rejection letter: Can I have some feedback on why my application was unsuccessful, please?

Can I say that?

Thanks

You can, but it sounds more professional and formal to start with "I would be very grateful if you would provide me with some feedback from my unsuccessful application".

Starting with "Can I have ..." sounds rather informal.

 

[Dominoes]

You can, but it sounds more professional and formal to start with "I would be very grateful if you would provide me with some feedback from my unsuccessful application".

Starting with "Can I have ..." sounds rather informal.

"feedback from"? I didn't even realise I could use "from" in that kind of context. I always thought I had to use "on" or "regarding" after "feedback".

Thank you. I've learned something new today!

 

[emsr2d2]

You can use "feedback on" as well.

 

[Dominoes]

You can use "feedback on" as well.

Thanks. What about "feedback for my unsuccessful application"?

I decided to go with:

"I would be very grateful if you would provide me with some feedback on why my application was unsuccessful."

 

[emsr2d2]

"Feedback for" doesn't really work for me. The sentence you finally decided on is good.

 

[probus]

I suggest that there is no point in replying to a rejection letter.

You have not been chosen. That's it, it's all over, nothing more to be said.

 

[emsr2d2]

I suggest that there is no point in replying to a rejection letter.

You have not been chosen. That's it, it's all over, nothing more to be said.

I disagree. I would always encourage people to ask for feedback after an unsuccessful application, especially if the application went as far as having an interview. You can get valuable feedback on, for example, your interview technique which might prove incredibly helpful in future applications.

 

[probus]

I disagree. I would always encourage people to ask for feedback after an unsuccessful application, especially if the application went as far as having an interview. You can get valuable feedback on, for example, your interview technique which might prove incredibly helpful in future applications.

Speaking as a person who has hired dozens of people and failed to hire many hundreds more, I would never respond in any useful way to somebody who sent me a reply to a rejection letter. The thing is, there would be no benefit to me in trying to help the applicant and there would be considerable risk of provoking litigation or other complaints to governmental authorities.

But perhaps you and Dominoes live in a kinder, gentler and less litigious place than I. I hope so. It would be nice to live in a place like that.

 

[5jj]

Within an organisation, I would give feedback on why an internal candidate has not been selected for promotion. Such feedback is useful career guidance. Like probus, I would never give feedback to other applicants.