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If you need to inform a candidate that they didn't pass to the next interview stage, send this model letter to provide feedback and thank them for their time.
-letter-template.jpg "Application or interview feedback (unsuccessful) letter template")
[Sender name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
Position of [job title]
Thank you for taking the time to apply for the [position] role at [company]. We were impressed with your skills and experience, and appreciate your interest in joining our team.
After careful consideration of all applicants, we regret to inform you that we have decided not to proceed with your application at this time.
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Explore the Job application templates toolkit-letter-template-preview.jpg "Application or interview feedback (unsuccessful) letter template preview")
An application or interview feedback (unsuccessful) letter is sent to a job applicant who has been unsuccessful in their job application or interview. The purpose of this letter is to provide constructive feedback to the applicant about why they were not successful, as well as to thank them for their interest in the position and to encourage them to apply for other opportunities in the future.
The feedback should be specific, honest, and constructive, highlighting areas where the applicant performed well and areas where they could improve in the future. The letter should also be written in a professional and courteous tone, expressing appreciation for the time and effort the applicant put into the application or interview process.
It is important to note that feedback should only be provided if the applicant has requested it or if it is part of the company's standard hiring process. Some applicants may not want feedback, and it is important to respect their wishes in this regard.
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 or interview feedback (unsuccessful) 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.
How this content is developed and reviewed
The Application or interview feedback (unsuccessful) letter template is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.
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."
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