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View full libraryApplication acknowledgement letter template for candidates you have been unable to contact.
If you receive a job application for a suitable vacancy but have not been able to contact the applicant, send this model letter to acknowledge receipt and ask them to make contact.
[Sender name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
Re: [insert job title]
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your recent job application for the [Position Name] role at our organisation. We appreciate the time and effort you took to submit your application and we thank you for
Need the complete Job application process?
Explore the Job application templates toolkitA job application acknowledgement letter when unable to contact the candidate is a formal communication sent by an employer or hiring manager to acknowledge receipt of a job application, but without being able to contact the candidate.
This letter typically acknowledges the candidate's application and expresses appreciation for their interest in the position, but notes that the organisation has been unable to reach the candidate despite their best efforts. The letter may also encourage the candidate to reach out to the organisation if they become available or interested in the position in the future.
Related HR resources and workflow
Explore the HR resources that may be relevant before and / or after using the Application acknowledgement (not able to contact candidate) letter, helping you understand the wider process, maintain appropriate documentation and follow a consistent approach.
Yes. This template has been designed for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, charities and growing employers. It follows UK employment law best practice and can be adapted to suit your organisation.
Our templates are developed with UK employment legislation, Acas guidance and HR best practice in mind and are reviewed and updated as relevant requirements change. However, every employment situation is different, so the template should be adapted to the circumstances and checked against the employee's contract and your organisation's procedures before use.
Yes, we highlight the areas of the document that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable format (such as .doc or .xls) so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include the Application acknowledgement (not able to contact candidate) letter template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
AI can produce a document quickly, but effective HR documentation needs to be more than well-written words. It needs to reflect relevant UK employment law, HR best practice, practical considerations and the circumstances in which it will be used. These resources have been professionally developed around that wider HR context, drawing on extensive practical experience, rather than simply generating a generic document from a prompt.
Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director
Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.
He has extensive practical experience of managing job application processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.
HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.
"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."
"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."
Job application toolkit
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£34.90
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