Should you reply to a job rejection email?

After any interview, yes: a short reply within a day or two thanking them and asking to be considered in future. After an automated rejection from a no-reply address, there is no need.

How do you ask for feedback after a rejection?

Make it specific and optional, and send it to someone you met. Asking which round was the deciding one is answerable in a line; a general request for feedback often is not.

Can you ask a company to reconsider a rejection?

It almost never works and it replaces a good last impression with an awkward one. Ask to be considered for future roles instead.

How to reply to a job rejection email

Whether to reply depends on the stage. Three short replies you can adapt — after a screen, after several rounds with a feedback question, after the final round — how to ask for feedback so you get some, and what not to send.

Last reviewed 19 Sept 2026

The short answer

After an interview, reply — within a day or two, in three or four sentences. Thank them, say you would like to be considered for future roles, and (optionally) ask one specific question about feedback. Do not argue, re-pitch, or ask them to reconsider. After an automated rejection to an application you never interviewed for, you do not need to reply at all.

A rejection reply feels pointless, because the decision is made. It is not for this job. It is for the next one at the same company, which is often filled by someone the team already met — and for the recruiter, who moves on to another company next year with a memory of who was gracious.

Should you reply at all? It depends on the stage

Rejected after	Reply?	Why
An application, from a no-reply address	No	Nobody reads it. Spend the time on the next application.
An application, from a named recruiter	Optional	One line of thanks is fine; a request for feedback here rarely gets one.
A recruiter phone screen	Yes, briefly	The recruiter hires for other roles. Stay on their list.
One or more interviews	Yes	People spent hours on you. A short reply is the professional close, and the best moment to ask for feedback.
The final round	Yes, and keep the door open	You were probably close. If the first choice falls through or a similar role opens, you want to be the first name they think of.

What to write

Four parts, most of them one sentence: thanks, one specific thing you valued, interest in the future, and an optional feedback question. Reply in the same thread, so the subject takes care of itself.

After a phone screen or first interview

Email · to the recruiter

Subject: Re: Your application — Customer Success Manager

Hi Anjali,

Thanks for letting me know, and for your time on the call last week.

I enjoyed hearing how the team is set up for the enterprise accounts. If a similar role opens up, I'd be glad to be considered.

Best, Karan

After several rounds, asking for feedback

Email · to the hiring manager

Subject: Re: Senior Product Designer — update

Hi David,

Thank you for telling me directly, and for the time you and the team put in across the three rounds.

If you're able to share it, I'd value one thing: was there a specific area — the portfolio review or the whiteboard exercise — where another candidate was clearly stronger? It would help me prepare for the next one.

Either way, I'd be glad to stay in touch if something similar comes up.

Priya

After the final round

Email · to the hiring manager

Subject: Re: Backend Engineer — final round

Hi Sam,

Thanks for letting me know — disappointing, but I appreciate hearing it straight away.

I really liked the team and the problems you're working on, and I'd be keen to be considered if the situation changes or another backend role opens. I'm happy to stay in touch in the meantime.

Best of luck with the launch, Asha

Asking for feedback, so you actually get some

Many companies have a policy of giving no rejection feedback, usually for legal reasons, and a recruiter who says “we can’t share specifics” is telling you the truth. Your odds are better when the question is:

Specific. “Was it the system-design round or the coding round?” is answerable in a line. “Any feedback?” asks for a paragraph someone has to clear with HR.
Optional. “If you’re able to share” gives them an easy way to say no without awkwardness.
Sent to a person you met, after interviews rather than after an application screen.

If feedback comes, thank them and do not argue with it, even when it is wrong. You asked for their view, and a rebuttal is the one reply that definitely closes the door.

What not to send

✕ Closes the door

I'm really surprised by this decision. I felt the interviews went very well and I believe I'm the strongest fit for this role. Could you please reconsider?

✓ Keeps it open

Thanks for letting me know. I enjoyed meeting the team, and I'd be glad to be considered for anything similar in future.

A request to reconsider has never reversed a decision, and it replaces the last impression you left with an awkward one.

No re-pitch. The case for you has been made and heard.
No guilt or disappointment at length. One word (“disappointing”) is human. A paragraph is uncomfortable to read.
No reply in the heat of the moment. Wait an hour, or until the next morning. Within two days is plenty.

For the emails on either side of this one, see the thank-you email after an interview and what to send when nobody replies.

Common questions

Should you reply to a job rejection email?: After any interview, yes: a short reply within a day or two thanking them and asking to be considered in future. After an automated rejection from a no-reply address, there is no need.
How do you ask for feedback after a rejection?: Make it specific and optional, and send it to someone you met. Asking which round was the deciding one is answerable in a line; a general request for feedback often is not.
Can you ask a company to reconsider a rejection?: It almost never works and it replaces a good last impression with an awkward one. Ask to be considered for future roles instead.