Rejection

Rejection in the recruitment process and selection is where the candidate is not offered a job position after going through the hiring process. Rejection is possible at any stage of the recruitment process, including the early application screening and interviews, assessments and references check, and final selections. The candidates may find the rejections frustrating, though this is a normal and inevitable part of the job-hunting process, and might be explained by factors such as competition, fit, qualifications and organizational needs.

Example of Rejection

A candidate is sitting in interviews for the position of a marketing manager at a prestigious advertising company and is facing multiple panels with the hiring managers, departmental heads, and senior executives. Though the candidate has relevant skills, experience, and qualifications, she gets a notification of rejection from the HR department shortly after the final selection decision is made.

Through the rejection email or phone call, the HR rep states the value of the candidate’s interest in the work as well as the appreciation of their qualifications and achievements. The HR staff member outlines the strengths and shortcoming of the candidate by providing positive feedback on the well-performed areas in the interview process.

The candidate views the rejection as a valiant effort despite the disappointment. It is the transparent and respectful communication from the company that helps them reflect on their interview performance and refine their job search strategy using the feedback provided. Still, the candidate works somewhere else in the industry using their skills and experience to look for an appropriate job that matches their dream job.