I Want A Rejection Letter

I, like many of my fellow college seniors, am on the job hunt.

It’s been difficult to prioritize applying to full-time positions while still finishing my senior year of school and also balancing my current jobs, but I’ve been able to submit maybe a couple of dozen applications throughout the year.

Maybe I could have applied to more, but I like to put my full effort into every opportunity. Just sending in your standard resume and cover letter could be the difference between getting a request for an interview or rejection.

And if you didn’t know, now you know: it’s incredibly common for artificial intelligence to be the first “person” to look at your application and put it in the no or maybe pile.

Making sure your resume includes keywords from the job posting and that your cover letter reflects the voice and values of the company is extremely relevant.

I don’t like to apply for jobs unless I’m putting my absolute best self and materials forward.

Although, despite my best efforts, I’ve been met with mostly silence — receiving just three official rejection emails.

And I’m not alone. All my peers are being met with the same silence.

But I think companies need to be showing their candidates more respect. Transparent communication throughout the application and hiring process is the place to start.

Companies may say there’s not enough time to reply to every candidate. But the process can be automated and streamlined. No need for a customized rejection letter. A simple prewritten email is enough of a courtesy that gives the candidates some closure.

Often applicants get an initial email telling them their application was received, but for the most part, that’s the last they’ll hear from the company. Where is the respect for candidates’ time and effort?

Companies should think of it as a public relations issue. Leaving potential candidates in the dark is not good for reputation. Those candidates will speak to their friends and current colleagues and you could lose out on future talent.

While a request for an interview would be amazing (You hear that, recruiters? I’m single and looking.). All I’m asking for is at least a written rejection.