Yeah, I suspect that ordinarily that's the way to do it, if you were already into the interview process with someone (or the company had actively recruited them

Yeah, I suspect that ordinarily that's the way to do it, if you were already into the interview process with someone (or the company had actively recruited them, or there was some special referral). We can't necessarily offer useful feedback, but the optional call can at least provide the opportunity for a personal touch and fellow-human decency, with the person having a chance to compose themselves first and think about anything they want to ask or add. If the candidate is one you really don't want to talk with again (e.g., got unambiguously jerky in an interview, or seems a high risk of flipping out and trying to sue), the rejection email doesn't have to offer a call.