Sample Regret Letter

Sample Regret Letter

Did not make initial cut

Dear:

Thank you for your interest in the [position title] position at Bucknell University.  The search committee has carefully reviewed your experience and background against our criteria.  While your credentials and experience represent significant accomplishments, we found the qualifications of other applicants to more closely fit our needs at this time.

We wish you much success in your career search and thank you for your interest in Bucknell University.

Sincerely,

Optional paragraph for failed searches

An optional paragraph that could be used for failed searches instead of the first paragraph:

Thank you for your interest in the [position title] at Bucknell University.  I am writing to inform you that we have designated this position as a failed search.  Your application materials for this position will remain on file for a period of time, therefore, you need not apply to the new search.

Sample Regret Letter

Did not make initial cut, but don’t want to completely close the door

Dear:

Thank you for your interest in the [position title] position with Bucknell University.  The search committee has reviewed your application materials and has carefully considered your qualifications. While your skills are certainly impressive, we have decided to pursue other candidates for the position who have more direct, relevant experience.
Your application materials will remain on file for a period of time.  If the status of your application changes, we will contact you.
I encourage you to continue to apply for other Bucknell positions for which you believe you are qualified.  Again, thank you for your interest in employment with Bucknell University.
Sincerely,

Sample Regret Letter

Cut after phone interview

Dear:

The search committee would like to thank you for your interest in the position of [position title] at Bucknell University.  We were pleased to have the opportunity to speak with you during our phone interview and to review your qualifications.

While your background and qualifications are strong, there are other candidates who more closely align with our needs at the present time.

Thank you for allowing us to consider you for this position.  We wish you continued success in your career pursuits.

Sincerely,

Sample Regret Letter

Cut after on-campus interview

Dear:

The search committee enjoyed meeting you during your visit to our campus to interview for the position of [position title].

We have had a difficult challenge—choosing a final candidate from among the outstanding finalists, of which you were one.  You were highly competitive and very well received.  In the end, we selected another candidate who has accepted our offer.  Although we regret that we are not able to offer you a position at this time, we encourage you to apply for future positions of interest to you at Bucknell.

In the meantime, we wish you much success in your career endeavors.

Sincerely,

Optional paragraph for internal candidates

An optional paragraph that could be used for internal candidates instead of the last paragraph:

We appreciate your contributions to Bucknell University.  As other positions become available, we hope that you will continue to pursue further professional opportunities at the University.

Optional paragraph for failed searches

An optional paragraph that could be used for failed searches instead of the last paragraph:

We appreciate your contributions to Bucknell University.  As other positions become available, we hope that you will continue to pursue further professional opportunities at the University.

Sample Regret Letter

Alumni

Dear:

Thank you for your interest in the [position title] position at Bucknell University.  The search committee has carefully reviewed your experience and background against the position criteria.  While your credentials and experience represent significant accomplishments, we found the qualifications of other applicants to more closely fit our needs at this time.

Our faculty and staff include many Bucknell alumni and we genuinely appreciate your interest and desire to join Bucknell as a member of its staff.  You are encouraged to become involved with exciting opportunities that will have a profound impact on Bucknell's strength and future.  As a graduate, you can support students, staff and faculty in numerous programs across university life by displaying your enthusiasm and support for Bucknell spirit both on and off campus.  To that end, we look forward to seeing you at a future Bucknell event.

We wish you much success in your career search and encourage you to apply for future positions of interest to you at Bucknell.

Sincerely,

An optional sentence that could be used for Bucknell alumni applicants:

Our faculty and staff include many Bucknell alumni who have successfully competed with other qualified candidates for campus openings.  Of course, their selections to those positions were based upon matching their own qualifications and experience to those of the positions, without regard to their status as alumni.