'That's just pure laziness and next to no attention to detail': 10+ mildly infuriating job rejections that candidates received out of the blue

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 11, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

No one enjoys getting rejected from a potential job opportunity. After all, you may have undergone numerous rounds of interviews, met all the team members with whom you would be collaborating, and even provided references to human resources as a final step. Of course, things happen, and it's inevitable that we will experience a few losses throughout our careers.

Still, there is a proper way to reject someone professionally, so if you're a hiring manager and you're in the process of rejecting someone who almost made it to the very end, try to compose something thoughtful. People want to feel seen and valued, even if they didn't get the official job offer. One thing you definitely should never do is send a poorly written stock email and forget to swap in the name of the candidate… which apparently happens a lot more than people realize. Keep scrolling below for these mildly infuriating job rejections!

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    Cheezburger Image 10527772928
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    Hi K for position to me ▾ Application update Inbox ↑ Thank you for applying to Unfortunately, we will not be moving forward with your application at this time. {{rejection_message}} "Write a warm but generic rejection email that sounds polite yet firm. Do not mention specific reasons for rejection. Make the candidate feel like they were strongly considered even if they weren't. Remember to use candidate name and company name variables." We appreciate your interest in all the best in your future
    via Glass_Spend1655
  • 03
    Da.... I once got a reject email addressed to a completely diffent person: they repeatedly referred to me as Daniel.
    via Glass_Spend1655
  • 04
    Shy-brunette-2. That's just pure laziness and next to no attention to detail
    via Glass_Spend1655

  • This one just goes to show how many people rely on software that will just perform tasks for them. Of course, this is understandable, and technology should be adapted appropriately to work. Still, when it comes to sending a personal note, call me crazy but that's something that should be composed by a human. 

  • 05
    Got rejected 3 mins after applying to a role MyHub 10:37 to me ▾ Dear R Thank you for your application for the at National Grid. Central London We are reviewing all applications and will be in touch within the next 14 days. Thank you for your interest in National Grid. Regards, National Grid Careers nationalgrid MyHub MyHub 10:40 to me ▾ Dear R Thank you for your application for the role of Central London. After careful consideration, we have decided that we will not be progressing your applicat
    via ParkingMetre
  • 06
    oktherefriend . Yeah did this at a website for a local mine. Spent 35 mins signing up, uploaded my resume the website did something weird and had to manually fix it. Then hit submit and instantly got a email that said you are not a good fit. It was a forklift/operator job and I have 15+years of experience. Was a little mad.
    via ParkingMetre
  • 07
    [deleted] ⚫ "after careful consideration"
    via ParkingMetre
  • 08
    Applied for a job at 10:17 AM. Got rejected at 10:18 AM. or applying to CCC! Inbox x ay.com >> ccc 1-50 of 75 10:17 AM (7 minutes ago) ☆ Dear John, Thanks for your application to Remote Inbound Customer Service Representative. We appreciate your interest in CCC and will review your application. Should our needs align with your experience, we will reach out regarding the next steps. Please also follow us on LinkedIn and check out this video on what it's like to work at CCC!. Again, thank you for
    via JohnSolo22
  • 09
    Applied for a job at 10:17 AM. Got rejected at 10:18 AM. 1-50 of 75 you for your interest in a position with CCC Intelligent ons. Inbox x yworkday.com 10:18 AM (9 minutes ago) A CCC Hi John, Thank you for submitting your resume for consideration for a position at CCC Intelligent Solutions, Inc. We are fortunate to have many qualified candidates apply to each of our positions. We have reviewed the qualifications of each candidate and, after careful consideration, we have determined that the crede
    via JohnSolo22
  • 10
    Transportation-A... • 22d ago Hey, at least they got back to you.
    via JohnSolo22
  • 11
    This rejection letter I recieved from A Job Application from has sent you a message. You can respond to the message by replying to this email. Hi Thank you for taking the time to apply for [The Role] at [Your Company]. We really appreciate your interest. Unfortunately your application was not successful and I wish you all the best for the future and do look out for any future roles we might have. Thanks, [Your Name]
    via BlackjackB***s***
  • 12
    Dramatic-Avoca... I'm sorry to hear this Your Name. I hope you get some good news soon.
    via BlackjackB***s***
  • 13
    [deleted] ⚫ Honestly I respect it, last time I was job hunting the majority of them either didn't hit me back for weeks or didn't hit me back at all
    via BlackjackB***s***
  • 14
    After waiting for one whole month to get the results of the interview, HR sends this after asking for the follow-up. C to me You are interview reject
    via Mayosaucer
  • 15
    minibois "Why use many words when few do trick"-style of HR
    via Mayosaucer
  • 16
    Last_step_some... 1 month ends up with one sentence, if I got that, I would be so mad that I end up laughing
    via Mayosaucer
  • 17
    I got rejected for a job that I applied for 8 months ago... KFC Hey Thanks for applying to join Team KFC - we really appreciate your interest. We had a bunch of great applications and, this time, went with someone who's a closer fit to what we need at this time. We know this might be a little disappointing, but we're genuinely grateful that you put yourself forward. All the best, Team KFC
    via SpiralThePhotgrapher
  • 18
    canadasteve04. I'd be more infuriated that they found a better fit to literally drop a basket into a fryer and pull it out.
    via SpiralThePhotgrapher
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10527779584
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 20
    SwimmerOrdinar... . this is the state of the job market atm, even minimum wage jobs take weeks to months to reply and your at competition for a 10 dollar job between 20 other participants.
    via SpiralThePhotgrapher
  • 21
    I got a phone call at 1:30 in the morning. .. and it was an automated voice message of a job rejection from a place I applied to four months ago. Thanks guys, I kind of figured that out. Hope it burns down, though.
    via SnowglobeSnot
  • 22
    Dragonfly-Advent... There's a big part of me that's like "They did call you back tho" Which is how badly traumatized job hunting has left me.
    via SnowglobeSnot
  • 23
    GreenSpaceman I got a rejection email from a place six months later
    via SnowglobeSnot
  • 24
    Got rejected from a job and they used it as an opportunity to sell me their guide. 12:20 in M W O *72% I hope you are well! Thank you for applying to the Renewable Energy Graduate Programme. Unfortunately you have not been successful in your application this time around. Sorry it took some time to come back to you, we had roughly 1000 applicants and I still have a few hundred to go!
    via ParkingMetre
  • 25
    If you are interested in joining the Renewable Energy fight, I would recommend grabbing a copy of our 125-page guide to getting into the Renewables industry in the UK, including industry breakdowns, best practice for interviewing and CV writing, along with a database of almost a thousand active UK renewables companies. This will Reply
    via ParkingMetre
  • 26
    help save you lots of your time and help you stand out in a competitive environment. The guide was updated in January 2025. Check it out here: careers-guide-2025 careers-guide-2025-pdf/] We also offer a discount for individuals from low-income families, so do let me know if this applies to you and I would be happy to send you a code. I would love to stay in touch and I will do my best to help you start your career in the Renewable Energy industry. Reply
    via ParkingMetre
  • 27
    Rejection Email | Just I Received Is Probably The Laziest I've Ever Read. Hi {CANDIDATE_FIRST_NAME}, Thank you for applying to the {JOB_TITLE} position at {COMPANY_NAME}. We've had thousands of applicants so far and we're still trying to make our way through them all, but I wanted to give you an update from our recruiting team:
    via Tr3sKidneys
  • 28
    Forsaken-Carry182 Probably some automated email system that is supposed to replace the curly bracketed stuff with the actual names, but failed to do so
    via Tr3sKidneys
  • 29
    jjw14-1420. I'm never buying anything from {COMAPNY_NAME} ever again!
    via Tr3sKidneys
  • 30
    Applied for job in '18, today i got the rejection letter Has attachment Last 7 days From me Employment Opportunity atl ATS, me Position Closed 3:21 AM Thank You for Applying! ATS, me 9/3/18
    via brokoljub
  • 31
    frawtlopp Same thing happened to me with a tech issue ticket I submitted. 2019 I said my login PW was partially working randomly. Last May I got an email saying the issue was resolved.
    via brokoljub
  • 32
    Destroyer1231454. System purge. Guarantee they didn't actually just now get to it. They only just now cleared it from the system and realized they never responded. Usually happens when shifts in the department are made.
    via brokoljub

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work rejection mildly infuriating resume company job interview interview toxic-work-environment
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