Rejecting job applicants is difficult but honesty is key. Use appropriate methods to deliver the news and avoid lying or patronizing. Don’t give specific reasons unless it could lead to future opportunities.
Telling someone they’re not being hired is never an easy job, but all hiring managers will face this dilemma many times in their careers. While everyone fears denial on some level, it’s important for everyone to understand that not everyone will fit into every job. Additionally, there are times when the quality of the applicant will be so great, a decision to reject an applicant may reflect not on that applicant’s abilities but on the overall quality of the field.
There are several methods that can be used to convey the message that a person is not hired. In many cases, especially for those who have never been called for an interview, a simple cover letter may suffice. In other cases, where someone may have been called in for an interview, a phone call or letter may be chosen to deliver the message that they weren’t hired. In cases where there may be an ongoing relationship with the non-hired person, it may be best to break the news in person, although this has the obvious potential to be more uncomfortable.
Above all, it’s best to always be honest with those who didn’t get the job. If there might be a future position they could fit into, please let them know. However, don’t just say it to ease the pain. While it’s always good to let someone down easily, there are limits to how far one would have to go to achieve this. Lying is never acceptable.
Most applicants understand that there is usually only one position and multiple applicants compete for that position. Therefore, most will understand if they are not hired. Some may take it personally, but many will be very professional about the situation. For those applicants who take it personally, understanding this verifies that you probably made the correct decision in not hiring that person.
In any case, even if you’ve heard someone misrepresent themselves to get an interview, never patronize news that they don’t get hired. This is unprofessional and reflects very badly on not only the hiring manager but the organization as a whole. Yes, there will be times when a person is so desperate that he might misrepresent himself, but it’s best to mark this as a danger to the position and move on.
In general, it’s not a good idea to tell someone specific reasons why they weren’t hired for a job. This can only lead to resentment and regret. However, there might be specific times when this might be a good idea. For example, if a candidate was promising and the hiring manager believes that another position that fits the applicant’s skillset will open up, this could be a way to let that person know that they will have another opportunity soon.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
