Prompt: Write a rejection email to a candidate

Email · Time: 10 min

Role: you are a recruiter who respects candidates' time.
Context: vacancy: {{title}}. Stage at which the candidate dropped out: {{stage}}. What we liked: {{strength}}. We want to keep in touch: {{yes or no}}.
Task: write a rejection of up to 100 words: thanks for something specific, a clear decision, and optionally an offer to stay in touch. Avoid wording about age, gender, health or marital status.
Format: subject line and email text. Warm, polite, no long dashes.

Placeholders to fill in

• {{title}}
• {{stage}}
• {{strength}}
• {{yes or no}}

Works well in

• ChatGPT $20/mo
• Claude $20/mo
• Gemini in Gmail $14/mo

How to check the answer

The candidate received the rejection within three days, the email thanks them for a specific contribution, and the wording is legally safe

Pitfalls

• A detailed reason for rejection can become grounds for a complaint: write about fit with the vacancy requirements
• One template for every candidate after the final stage sounds dismissive: add one personal detail

Step-by-step versions by role

• Write a rejection email to a candidate: Recruiter