No matter what stage in your career you are in, thank you note is greatly valued. They can assist you land an internship, develop your professional network and set you apart from the crowd. Although, one of the most overlooked events for a thank you is after getting a rejection.

After going through the long application procedure, interview stage and waiting to get a response, a rejection letter can sting.

But while this specific chance has ended, your future is yet wide open. Utilizing this time as an opportunity to link with the hiring manager or department head can assist you later on in your career.

Writing a Thank You Note after a Rejection

Hopefully, after your interview, you received the business cards of the individuals you talked with. While you might feel silly reaching out to them; doing so can be an important benefit to you. In conveys professionalism and graciousness on your part. The employers are likely to remember you in a very positive light and might lead to future opportunities. In certain cases, they may know of positions at other companies that would be a great fit, so a thank you can lead to a job opportunity.

Below is a sample thank you note that you can modify for your use after getting a rejection letter:

Hi Laura,

Thanks so much for your note. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to apply for the editorial internship at your company. While I’m disappointed that I didn’t get the internship, I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me and review my materials.

I wanted to take the opportunity to reach out and ask for any constructive criticism regarding my resume or interview skills. I value your opinion and would love to be considered for future opportunities.

Best,

Lauren Berger

The note is short and to the point. It depicts that you value the time the employer spent with you and her expertise in the industry.

An employer will review a note like this with appreciation. If she does get back to you, take any advice or criticism very seriously; do not write anything off or ignore her observations. Any feedback is a priceless gift that you can utilize to make better your performance and interview skills to get a job later on. It is invaluable in building your professional skills.

What If I do not Get a Response?

If you do not hear back from the employer, do not be disappointed or discouraged. Some companies have policies that discourage workers from speaking with former candidates, or the hiring manager may merely be very busy. Once you send the thank you note, mentally distance yourself from that role and that company and move on in your internship search.

Remember, rejection is part of landing an internship or a job. You’ve to get rejected to instantly get to where you want to be. You might have to put out dozens of applications before getting an internship offer, and that is entirely normal and is to be expected.