When you find a candidate you want to hire, extending the offer is the fun part. But what about those candidates you have to say “no” to? How do you tell them that they didn’t get the job without burning any bridges? After all, some might be strong contenders for future positions at your company.

To help you reject job candidates the right way, consider these tips:

Tell Them Immediately

As one of the leading staffing agencies in Houston, TX, Murray Resources certainly understands that telling a candidate they didn’t get the job isn’t a task most hiring managers look forward to. But don’t drag your feet on it. Consider how you would feel if you were in their shoes. You’d want to know right away so you could move onto other opportunities. So once you know a candidate is out of the running for the job you’re hiring for, notify them immediately.

Whether it’s via phone or email is up to you – and dependent on how many candidates you need to contact. For instance, if the candidate was your second pick, then give them a call and let them know over the phone.

However, if you’re rejecting dozens of candidates who submitted weak resumes, an email works fine too. Your email can simply state the following:

Dear [First Name],

Thank you for your interest in the ABC position at our company. Unfortunately, we have selected another candidate for the job. We will keep you in mind for future opportunities and we encourage you to apply for other positions in our company, as well.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Tell Them Why They Didn’t Get the Job

You can’t tell every candidate who applies for a position at your company why they didn’t get hired. But for those candidates who made it into the final round of the hiring process, you may want to offer some specific details as to why they weren’t the top pick.

For instance, if the candidate you did ultimately hire had five more years of experience, then share that information with the candidate you are rejecting. Not only will they appreciate knowing why they weren’t hired, but it will also create a more positive impression about you and your company when you’re honest and can offer helpful insight.

End on a High Note

Be sure to thank the candidate for interviewing with your company and wish them the best in the job search. Also, if you feel like they’d be a good fit for a position in the future, let them know you’d like to connect with them on LinkedIn so you can stay in touch.

And remember, informing candidates that they didn’t get the job should be a standard part of your hiring process. If it’s not, then candidates will become frustrated at the lack of communication – which will ultimately hurt your employment brand.

If you need more help hiring great candidates for your company, call Murray Resources. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Houston, TX, companies all over the city rely on our expertise to source and retain top talent for hard-to-fill, key positions across a broad range of business disciplines. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more.