Request Rejected (2024)

FAQs

How do I reply to a rejected request? ›

Responding to a rejection email can also be an opportunity to network. You can express your appreciation for the opportunity, thank the sender for their time and consideration, and inquire about other potential opportunities or professional connections and contacts within their network.

Be straightforward about the future.

If you don't want to leave the door open for a next ask, be clear. State your reason and then stop talking. Say: “I appreciate your request but I have other priorities and can't take on the extra work.”

In addition to thanking the other person for their time and expressing gratitude for the opportunity, you should do two things: State your interest in being considered for future opportunities, and ask for feedback on how you can improve.

Allow yourself to acknowledge and process these feelings of disappointment. Ask for feedback to understand why you were rejected and how you can improve specific areas. Use the experience to refine your career goals and next steps. Keep pursuing other opportunities and maintain a positive outlook.

Some common synonyms of reject are decline, refuse, repudiate, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

Basic template for the polite rejection of an application

Thank you for your application for [position] and your interest in our company. We have received a large number of applications and, unfortunately, we cannot shortlist yours at this time. Please do not take our rejection as a depreciation of your skills.

Here are some polite and well-mannered ways to respond to a request rejection in English: I understand, thank you for letting me know. I appreciate the consideration. No worries, I understand the decision.

While replying with anger or resentment (i.e. telling the recruiter he or she made a huge mistake, and should not have wasted your time,) will not do you any favor, replying with gratitude for the opportunity and expressing well wishes may increase your chances of getting a callback should another position open in the ...

Give yourself credit for trying.

You took a risk — good for you. Remind yourself that you can handle the rejection. Even though you were turned down now, there will be another opportunity, another time. Get philosophical: Sometimes things happen for reasons we don't always understand.

How do you say rejected nicely? ›

Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is when a person feels intense emotional pain related to rejection. The word “dysphoria” comes from an ancient Greek word that describes a strong — if not overwhelming — feeling of pain or discomfort.

Ask him how he's feeling, and affirm that his feelings are okay. If he knows that he can share painful things with you as a friend, without being rejected, this may help him feel better. Saying things like, “It sounds like you're pretty broken up about things,” can help him feel supported.

I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to consider my proposal. I really appreciate the effort you and your team put into reviewing it. I appreciate and acknowledge your decision on the proposal.

Although your first instinct might be to leave well enough alone and skip responding to a rejection email, it's actually best practice to take the time to send a response (even if you're still feeling a bit stung).