Back In The Race: Responding To A Rejection

Just recently, I received a rejection letter for a temporary research and writing position I have been trying to get for the last few years. This firm never invited me for an interview which means I didn’t make the first-round cut. People who held this position told me that it was a great experience and it paved the way for interesting and challenging careers afterwards.

In the past, the firm’s rejection letters contained the typical turndown template: Thank you for applying but we picked someone else so good luck with your future endeavors. After seeing so many variations of this, I have turned it into a science.

But the rejection letter I received this time was different. It stated that the office was not hiring. But if a position became available in the future, I will be contacted. And it was signed by one of the heads of the division. Not an assistant to the trainee associate recruitment specialist.

I assume the firm hired someone else. But this letter aroused my interest because it didn’t contain the usual rejection language and I wanted to know if he was serious about considering me in the future. But at the same time, sending another letter or a phone call might be ignored or may turn him off. So should I send a response? Or just be patient and hope for the best?

It is uncommon to reply to a rejection letter. You had your chance to follow up after the interview with a thank you card. Unless stated otherwise, the ding letter makes it clear that the employer made his decision and both parties should move on.

There are mixed, anecdotal thoughts on whether it is appropriate to reply to a ding letter. Supporters will say that a response shows initiative, persistence, and a genuine interest in the firm. Opponents will argue that it is pushy and smacks of desperation and superficial flattery.

Assuming I decide to respond, what is the appropriate way to do it? A phone call? An email? A bottle of champagne? It depends. I would have to find out how the firm handles responses. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone at the firm who can give me this information.

I’ve been told that when in doubt, it would be better to send a response. So long as the response is appropriate and professional, there is a chance that it would be reviewed positively. The worst that could happen is that the response will be ignored.

So I responded. I didn’t send a detailed essay nor a rehash of my cover letter. I didn’t include an updated résumé. I wrote a brief letter thanking him for considering me, expressed my interest in the future opening, and wrote a few sentences about what I have been doing since I submitted my initial application. I asked that a decision be made as soon as possible so I can plan ahead or pursue other endeavors.

Should job applicants send a response to rejection letters? Good question. The employer’s first choice may end up being a dud and he may need a replacement as soon as possible. Also, if you are applying for a position at a solo or small firm, you may see these people again either in court, a bar association event, or a CLE seminar. While they may not be a future employer, they could be potential mentors or referral sources for overflow work. So you’ll need to do something to ensure that the employer remembers you in a positive light.

But being overly communicative can be annoying. You sent a cover letter and résumé, multiple emails confirming dates, and asking questions. You sent a thank you card after the interview, and a follow-up email asking why a decision has not been made in the last few months. If this ends up getting you a ding letter, then it may be best to just let it go.

When I first began my job search many years ago, I took each rejection letter hard. I thought my one C+ grade in “Law and Animal Husbandry” class would put me on the top of the interview pile. But alas, it was not to be. Over the years, I’ve developed a thick skin and now take each rejection letter with stride. They now provide closure so I can move on to the next job opening.

But will my response make a difference? Maybe. Maybe not. Preparing it only cost me a postage stamp and 30 minutes of my time. But if a rejection letter does not contain the typical turndown template, then a response might be worth a shot.

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Shannon Achimalbe was a former solo practitioner for five years before deciding to sell out and get back on the corporate ladder. Shannon can be reached at [email protected].