Candidate Rejection Letters Make Business Sense
How you treat candidates for your jobs really matters. Sending a candidate rejection letter to the applicants who were not selected for the job is an extra, but positive step, your company can take to build good will with candidates and establish yourself as an employer of choice.
Your reputation, that is built one candidate at a time, is critical to your ongoing ability to attract the best and most skilled talent to your firm. Candidates make decisions about your company based on their treatment and officially notifying them about your employment decisions is a point in your favor.
Start With a Follow-up Phone Call
I believe that a phone call to the candidate is the first step after you have decided that he or she is not the most qualified for your open position. During the call, you thank them for their application and interview time. State clearly that you have determined that you have other candidates who are more qualified for the position.
Then, follow-up your call with the official letter providing the same information. This contact should occur as soon as you know the candidate is not the person you want to hire. Don't leave your candidates wondering for weeks on end if they are not the person who will be selected for the job.