Beyond “We Regret to Inform You”: The Strangest Rejection Emails Candidates Received

Rejection emails are supposed to be simple, professional, and above all, respectful. A brief “thank you for your time” followed by a polite “we’ve decided to move forward with other candidates” is the standard script most job seekers expect. However, now and then, companies go off-script in an attempt to be creative or funny, and that’s when things get weird.

It is fair to say that these emails probably sounded good to HR, but in reality, they were labeled “The Worst Rejection Email”. What seemed like a good idea to show a good sport ended up giving candidates the ick and damaging the company’s reputation. 

Here are some examples of weird/worst rejection emails. 

The Price of Asking About the Price

How dare a candidate ask about the salary?! Many companies consider asking about payment to be rude and unprofessional, and doing so gives a bad impression of the candidate. 

This is what happened when a candidate asked HR about the salary range they would receive based on their experience. The question was immediately met with a cancellation of the interview. 

The Unbreakable Salary Taboo

A simple question about pay turned into an immediate dealbreaker. Another weird rejection email was sent to a candidate, telling them they were rejected and that, next time, when interviewing, they shouldn’t ask about salaries, work culture, or responsibilities.

So, a candidate should walk into this company and be surprised by the tasks and work culture, and wait for a surprise. 

Rejected, But Make It Inspirational

A “no” softened with a quote that felt more awkward than uplifting. Some companies try to soften rejection with a dose of motivation, but it doesn’t always end well. In one case, a candidate received a rejection email wrapped in a cheerful quote about perseverance and not giving up. While the company thought it was a good idea, the candidate thought that it didn’t make sense.

Instead of feeling encouraged, it came across as out of place, almost like the message was trying too hard to turn a “no” into something meaningful. When the outcome is disappointing, a generic quote rarely makes it better and can even make it feel less genuine.

“Even They Failed Once”: A Rejection Email As An Encouragement 

Encouragement came in the form of famous failures, but what’s the point? Encouragement can easily miss the mark when it’s forced. One candidate received a rejection email that referenced well-known celebrities who faced failure before success, as if to offer comfort.

However, instead of reassurance, the candidate felt really confused and ridiculed. Comparing someone’s job rejection to the struggles of global icons can feel disconnected, making the message seem more tone-deaf than thoughtful.

Rock, Paper, Scissors… Rejected: When Hiring Becomes a Game

The final hiring decision came down to pure chance, not qualifications. Hiring decisions are expected to be based on skills, experience, and fit, not luck. Yet one story revealed a company that allegedly made its final choice through a game of rock, paper, scissors. While this was obviously a joke (probably), we can’t help but think, was it really necessary to say such a thing?

For the candidate, it turned what should have been a professional evaluation into something arbitrary. It’s the kind of approach that leaves applicants questioning not just the outcome, but the entire process behind it.

Too Short, Too Blunt

This HR was obviously in a hurry to write a proper email. Sometimes, less is not more. One rejection email stood out simply because of how abrupt it was, short, direct, and completely lacking any sense of tone or empathy. Not to mention that the tone is also kind of sarcastic. People tend to use this phrase when they come across something obviously undesirable or not good enough. 

It felt less like a thoughtful response and more like a task someone rushed to complete. While honesty is appreciated, stripping away all courtesy can make a rejection feel unnecessarily cold.

It’s Not Us, It’s You

Even Companies Are Gaslighting Candidates. Rejection is already difficult without having the narrative rewritten. In this case, a candidate received an email suggesting that they had chosen not to move forward with the company. Something that never actually happened. The message shifted responsibility in a way that felt confusing at best and dismissive at worst. It’s a reminder that clarity matters, especially when delivering bad news.

This made the candidate feel as if the company is gaslighting them, making them feel that they’re responsible for not being hired, not the company. 

Rejected, But Here Are Some Cute Cats and Dogs

This company rejected a candidate and offered “Token of Happiness”, which is a YouTube link of cute puppies and cats. In an attempt to lighten the mood, one company included that link to make the candidate feel better about rejection. 

While the intention may have been to cheer the candidate up, the gesture felt oddly misplaced. This is not the way a company can gain popularity for its modern hiring process; in fact, this can put it under criticism. Not every disappointment can be softened with a distraction, no matter how adorable it is.

Dear AI, Reject This Candidate

This HR copied and pasted an AI-crafted rejection email, taking laziness to a whole other level! Automation can make processes more efficient, but only when used carefully. One rejection email made it obvious that it had been generated by AI, as it included the part of the original prompt used to create it. Not only were the HR lazy to craft their own email, but they were also too lazy to check the text they copied from AI.

Instead of streamlining communication, the mistake highlighted a lack of attention to detail. In trying to save time, the company ended up sending a message that felt impersonal and unfinished.

Rejection is never easy, but how it’s delivered makes a lasting difference. These examples show that when companies stray too far from clarity and professionalism, whether by trying too hard to be creative or not trying at all, they risk leaving candidates confused, frustrated, or even amused for the wrong reasons. In the end, a thoughtful and respectful message will always go further than a clever twist on “no.”