6 ms·
Why do rejection emails say "good luck" at the end?
by noescape 10y ago
Why do rejection emails say "good luck" at the end?
- nine_k 10y agoBecause you, the recipient, must now continue the job hunt, so luck in finding a better employer would come in handy.
- noescape 10y agoBut why is this pleasantry about "luck" and not something else? You don't hear employers say "keep studying" or "we wish you a good effort" or "we hope you build cool stuff". Isn't the employer referring to luck an admission from the employer that interviewing has a lot to do with luck?
- pmiller2 10y agoBecause "keep studying" would just sound condescending.
- vonmoltke 10y agoI personally find "good luck" and "we reject many good candidates" it be even more condescending.
- Cpoll 10y agoBecause "keep studying" can be construed negatively: You're not good enough. Unsolicited advice isn't usually a good idea politically. Saying "luck" implies several things: - You just weren't the right fit. - I don't wish to imply your skills are lacking. - I hope you succeed, even though I wasn't able to help.
- vonmoltke 10y ago> Because "keep studying" can be construed negatively: You're not good enough. Unsolicited advice isn't usually a good idea politically. They're rejecting you because you weren't good enough (or because they suck at actually identifying talent). > Saying "luck" implies several things: None of which are good things about the process, because a process should be designed to drive the percent influence of luck to as close to zero as practical. > - You just weren't the right fit. Bullshit non-reason. > - I don't wish to imply your skills are lacking. We also don't want to admit that we may not have any idea what we are looking for or how to evaluate it. > - I hope you succeed, even though I wasn't able to help. If I don't need improvement but I succeed elsewhere in a similar job, that just means you screwed up.
- PKop 10y agoI think it roughly translates to: I hope you have more success in the future
- kintamanimatt 10y agoIt's a pleasantry. It's a part of communicating in a tactful and empathetic way.
- GarrisonPrime 10y agoIt cleanly cuts the applicant loose, leaving zero ambiguity as to their chances with the current prospect company, while at the same time saying "you got spunk, kid; I like you and I'm rooting for you", all in two little words.
- code_duck 10y agoIt shows that they have no ill will towards you.