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What does “please keep in touch†mean when rejected?
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up vote
25
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I had an opportunity to get an internship recently and made it through a few rounds of interviews, but on my last interview, I didn't do very well. This resulted in getting rejected for the potential job offer, and in the email I received from my recruiter telling me that they weren't going to be moving forward with my candidacy, they said that they hope I reapply next year and to "please keep in touch".
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
If so, what does it mean exactly in this particular scenario to "keep in touch"?
hiring-process rejection
asked Jan 1 '16 at 14:07
Nick Zuber
2411510
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
25
down vote
favorite
I had an opportunity to get an internship recently and made it through a few rounds of interviews, but on my last interview, I didn't do very well. This resulted in getting rejected for the potential job offer, and in the email I received from my recruiter telling me that they weren't going to be moving forward with my candidacy, they said that they hope I reapply next year and to "please keep in touch".
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
If so, what does it mean exactly in this particular scenario to "keep in touch"?
hiring-process rejection
asked Jan 1 '16 at 14:07
Nick Zuber
2411510
2
Is the "recruiter" that you mention the same company that you'd be working for, or is it a separate recruitment agency? If the application was through a recruitment agency they may mean something like "please keep using us to apply for jobs and internships".
– ping
Jan 1 '16 at 16:09
1
@ping it's from the company that would have hired me - it wasn't some third party recruitment thing
– Nick Zuber
Jan 1 '16 at 16:11
2
It means it's a auto-generated message made to try to seem polite while actually not caring for you.
– user3834459
Jan 5 '16 at 16:06
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
25
down vote
favorite
up vote
25
down vote
favorite
I had an opportunity to get an internship recently and made it through a few rounds of interviews, but on my last interview, I didn't do very well. This resulted in getting rejected for the potential job offer, and in the email I received from my recruiter telling me that they weren't going to be moving forward with my candidacy, they said that they hope I reapply next year and to "please keep in touch".
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
If so, what does it mean exactly in this particular scenario to "keep in touch"?
hiring-process rejection
asked Jan 1 '16 at 14:07
Nick Zuber
2411510
I had an opportunity to get an internship recently and made it through a few rounds of interviews, but on my last interview, I didn't do very well. This resulted in getting rejected for the potential job offer, and in the email I received from my recruiter telling me that they weren't going to be moving forward with my candidacy, they said that they hope I reapply next year and to "please keep in touch".
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
If so, what does it mean exactly in this particular scenario to "keep in touch"?
hiring-process rejection
asked Jan 1 '16 at 14:07
Nick Zuber
2411510
asked Jan 1 '16 at 14:07
Nick Zuber
2411510
asked Jan 1 '16 at 14:07
Nick Zuber
2411510
asked Jan 1 '16 at 14:07
Nick Zuber
2411510
2411510
2
Is the "recruiter" that you mention the same company that you'd be working for, or is it a separate recruitment agency? If the application was through a recruitment agency they may mean something like "please keep using us to apply for jobs and internships".
– ping
Jan 1 '16 at 16:09
1
@ping it's from the company that would have hired me - it wasn't some third party recruitment thing
– Nick Zuber
Jan 1 '16 at 16:11
2
It means it's a auto-generated message made to try to seem polite while actually not caring for you.
– user3834459
Jan 5 '16 at 16:06
suggest improvements |Â
2
Is the "recruiter" that you mention the same company that you'd be working for, or is it a separate recruitment agency? If the application was through a recruitment agency they may mean something like "please keep using us to apply for jobs and internships".
– ping
Jan 1 '16 at 16:09
1
@ping it's from the company that would have hired me - it wasn't some third party recruitment thing
– Nick Zuber
Jan 1 '16 at 16:11
2
It means it's a auto-generated message made to try to seem polite while actually not caring for you.
– user3834459
Jan 5 '16 at 16:06
2
2
Is the "recruiter" that you mention the same company that you'd be working for, or is it a separate recruitment agency? If the application was through a recruitment agency they may mean something like "please keep using us to apply for jobs and internships".
– ping
Jan 1 '16 at 16:09
Is the "recruiter" that you mention the same company that you'd be working for, or is it a separate recruitment agency? If the application was through a recruitment agency they may mean something like "please keep using us to apply for jobs and internships".
– ping
Jan 1 '16 at 16:09
1
1
@ping it's from the company that would have hired me - it wasn't some third party recruitment thing
– Nick Zuber
Jan 1 '16 at 16:11
@ping it's from the company that would have hired me - it wasn't some third party recruitment thing
– Nick Zuber
Jan 1 '16 at 16:11
2
2
It means it's a auto-generated message made to try to seem polite while actually not caring for you.
– user3834459
Jan 5 '16 at 16:06
It means it's a auto-generated message made to try to seem polite while actually not caring for you.
– user3834459
Jan 5 '16 at 16:06
suggest improvements |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
33
down vote
accepted
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it
just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to
actually "stay in touch"?
It's just a polite thing.
They are hoping you'll reapply next year. Take the time to boost your knowledge in the areas which need improvement and reapply in a year or so if that works for you.
Meanwhile, send a note to the folks you interviewed with, thanking them for their time. That never hurts.
answered Jan 1 '16 at 14:25
Joe Strazzere
222k103651917
2
It may be worthwhile asking the interviewer(s) what areas they feel you did poorly on, and how your application might be improved.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Jan 1 '16 at 22:11
5
Keep in mind too you could have been fully qualified for the role, but interviewed against people who were more qualified. You may be able to successfully interview against similar positions in the future as a result.
– Elysian Fields♦
Jan 2 '16 at 17:34
The note tip is excellent; something small but keeps you in their mind.
– Burhan Khalid
Jan 5 '16 at 16:12
They are hoping you'll reapply next year.I disagree. They may be hoping the OP applies next year, but it could also just be a formality. Still a great answer, and sending a note can only help.
– silencedmessage
Jan 5 '16 at 18:08
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
I would guess it is a 50/50 chance you're getting the real, full honest feedback or not. Having been a hiring manager myself and having been rejected plenty on interviews as well, the responses can span from sugar-coated feedback to outright ridiculous excuses that make no sense vis-à-vis your interview. Truthfully, you will not likely ever find out the full scope of the rejection rationale.
Move on - life is full of rejections and a "keep in touch" phrase is a polite, but meaningless gesture. By the time you have a reason to re-apply or talk to them, you'll likely have many other opportunities to consider anyways.
edited Jan 5 '16 at 16:02
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.8k1397187
answered Jan 1 '16 at 22:34
Mike Atlas
1913
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
What does it mean? It means "We want to appear open to hiring you in the future if things change". It does not mean they are open to hiring you in the future, regardless of any changes in you, the position, or the other applicants. It doesn't mean apply again tomorrow, or let us know when you graduate or anything else beyond giving the impression that they would you all due consideration if you applied again later.
It is not a totally meaningles statement, but it is close. You should not read anything at all into it NOT being said, and the MOST you should attribute to it if it is said, is that they don't think you are someone they could not work with.
answered Jan 2 '16 at 7:37
jmoreno
7,9271840
suggest improvements |Â
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
33
down vote
accepted
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it
just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to
actually "stay in touch"?
It's just a polite thing.
They are hoping you'll reapply next year. Take the time to boost your knowledge in the areas which need improvement and reapply in a year or so if that works for you.
Meanwhile, send a note to the folks you interviewed with, thanking them for their time. That never hurts.
answered Jan 1 '16 at 14:25
Joe Strazzere
222k103651917
2
It may be worthwhile asking the interviewer(s) what areas they feel you did poorly on, and how your application might be improved.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Jan 1 '16 at 22:11
5
Keep in mind too you could have been fully qualified for the role, but interviewed against people who were more qualified. You may be able to successfully interview against similar positions in the future as a result.
– Elysian Fields♦
Jan 2 '16 at 17:34
The note tip is excellent; something small but keeps you in their mind.
– Burhan Khalid
Jan 5 '16 at 16:12
They are hoping you'll reapply next year.I disagree. They may be hoping the OP applies next year, but it could also just be a formality. Still a great answer, and sending a note can only help.
– silencedmessage
Jan 5 '16 at 18:08
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
33
down vote
accepted
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it
just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to
actually "stay in touch"?
It's just a polite thing.
They are hoping you'll reapply next year. Take the time to boost your knowledge in the areas which need improvement and reapply in a year or so if that works for you.
Meanwhile, send a note to the folks you interviewed with, thanking them for their time. That never hurts.
answered Jan 1 '16 at 14:25
Joe Strazzere
222k103651917
2
It may be worthwhile asking the interviewer(s) what areas they feel you did poorly on, and how your application might be improved.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Jan 1 '16 at 22:11
5
Keep in mind too you could have been fully qualified for the role, but interviewed against people who were more qualified. You may be able to successfully interview against similar positions in the future as a result.
– Elysian Fields♦
Jan 2 '16 at 17:34
The note tip is excellent; something small but keeps you in their mind.
– Burhan Khalid
Jan 5 '16 at 16:12
They are hoping you'll reapply next year.I disagree. They may be hoping the OP applies next year, but it could also just be a formality. Still a great answer, and sending a note can only help.
– silencedmessage
Jan 5 '16 at 18:08
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
33
down vote
accepted
up vote
33
down vote
accepted
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it
just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to
actually "stay in touch"?
It's just a polite thing.
They are hoping you'll reapply next year. Take the time to boost your knowledge in the areas which need improvement and reapply in a year or so if that works for you.
Meanwhile, send a note to the folks you interviewed with, thanking them for their time. That never hurts.
answered Jan 1 '16 at 14:25
Joe Strazzere
222k103651917
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it
just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to
actually "stay in touch"?
It's just a polite thing.
They are hoping you'll reapply next year. Take the time to boost your knowledge in the areas which need improvement and reapply in a year or so if that works for you.
Meanwhile, send a note to the folks you interviewed with, thanking them for their time. That never hurts.
answered Jan 1 '16 at 14:25
Joe Strazzere
222k103651917
edited Jan 2 '16 at 12:13
answered Jan 1 '16 at 14:25
Joe Strazzere
222k103651917
answered Jan 1 '16 at 14:25
Joe Strazzere
222k103651917
answered Jan 1 '16 at 14:25
Joe Strazzere
222k103651917
222k103651917
2
It may be worthwhile asking the interviewer(s) what areas they feel you did poorly on, and how your application might be improved.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Jan 1 '16 at 22:11
5
Keep in mind too you could have been fully qualified for the role, but interviewed against people who were more qualified. You may be able to successfully interview against similar positions in the future as a result.
– Elysian Fields♦
Jan 2 '16 at 17:34
The note tip is excellent; something small but keeps you in their mind.
– Burhan Khalid
Jan 5 '16 at 16:12
They are hoping you'll reapply next year.I disagree. They may be hoping the OP applies next year, but it could also just be a formality. Still a great answer, and sending a note can only help.
– silencedmessage
Jan 5 '16 at 18:08
suggest improvements |Â
2
It may be worthwhile asking the interviewer(s) what areas they feel you did poorly on, and how your application might be improved.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Jan 1 '16 at 22:11
5
Keep in mind too you could have been fully qualified for the role, but interviewed against people who were more qualified. You may be able to successfully interview against similar positions in the future as a result.
– Elysian Fields♦
Jan 2 '16 at 17:34
The note tip is excellent; something small but keeps you in their mind.
– Burhan Khalid
Jan 5 '16 at 16:12
They are hoping you'll reapply next year.I disagree. They may be hoping the OP applies next year, but it could also just be a formality. Still a great answer, and sending a note can only help.
– silencedmessage
Jan 5 '16 at 18:08
2
2
It may be worthwhile asking the interviewer(s) what areas they feel you did poorly on, and how your application might be improved.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Jan 1 '16 at 22:11
It may be worthwhile asking the interviewer(s) what areas they feel you did poorly on, and how your application might be improved.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Jan 1 '16 at 22:11
5
5
Keep in mind too you could have been fully qualified for the role, but interviewed against people who were more qualified. You may be able to successfully interview against similar positions in the future as a result.
– Elysian Fields♦
Jan 2 '16 at 17:34
Keep in mind too you could have been fully qualified for the role, but interviewed against people who were more qualified. You may be able to successfully interview against similar positions in the future as a result.
– Elysian Fields♦
Jan 2 '16 at 17:34
The note tip is excellent; something small but keeps you in their mind.
– Burhan Khalid
Jan 5 '16 at 16:12
The note tip is excellent; something small but keeps you in their mind.
– Burhan Khalid
Jan 5 '16 at 16:12
They are hoping you'll reapply next year. I disagree. They may be hoping the OP applies next year, but it could also just be a formality. Still a great answer, and sending a note can only help.– silencedmessage
Jan 5 '16 at 18:08
They are hoping you'll reapply next year. I disagree. They may be hoping the OP applies next year, but it could also just be a formality. Still a great answer, and sending a note can only help.– silencedmessage
Jan 5 '16 at 18:08
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
I would guess it is a 50/50 chance you're getting the real, full honest feedback or not. Having been a hiring manager myself and having been rejected plenty on interviews as well, the responses can span from sugar-coated feedback to outright ridiculous excuses that make no sense vis-à-vis your interview. Truthfully, you will not likely ever find out the full scope of the rejection rationale.
Move on - life is full of rejections and a "keep in touch" phrase is a polite, but meaningless gesture. By the time you have a reason to re-apply or talk to them, you'll likely have many other opportunities to consider anyways.
edited Jan 5 '16 at 16:02
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.8k1397187
answered Jan 1 '16 at 22:34
Mike Atlas
1913
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
I would guess it is a 50/50 chance you're getting the real, full honest feedback or not. Having been a hiring manager myself and having been rejected plenty on interviews as well, the responses can span from sugar-coated feedback to outright ridiculous excuses that make no sense vis-à-vis your interview. Truthfully, you will not likely ever find out the full scope of the rejection rationale.
Move on - life is full of rejections and a "keep in touch" phrase is a polite, but meaningless gesture. By the time you have a reason to re-apply or talk to them, you'll likely have many other opportunities to consider anyways.
edited Jan 5 '16 at 16:02
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.8k1397187
answered Jan 1 '16 at 22:34
Mike Atlas
1913
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
up vote
9
down vote
I would guess it is a 50/50 chance you're getting the real, full honest feedback or not. Having been a hiring manager myself and having been rejected plenty on interviews as well, the responses can span from sugar-coated feedback to outright ridiculous excuses that make no sense vis-à-vis your interview. Truthfully, you will not likely ever find out the full scope of the rejection rationale.
Move on - life is full of rejections and a "keep in touch" phrase is a polite, but meaningless gesture. By the time you have a reason to re-apply or talk to them, you'll likely have many other opportunities to consider anyways.
edited Jan 5 '16 at 16:02
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.8k1397187
answered Jan 1 '16 at 22:34
Mike Atlas
1913
I would guess it is a 50/50 chance you're getting the real, full honest feedback or not. Having been a hiring manager myself and having been rejected plenty on interviews as well, the responses can span from sugar-coated feedback to outright ridiculous excuses that make no sense vis-à-vis your interview. Truthfully, you will not likely ever find out the full scope of the rejection rationale.
Move on - life is full of rejections and a "keep in touch" phrase is a polite, but meaningless gesture. By the time you have a reason to re-apply or talk to them, you'll likely have many other opportunities to consider anyways.
edited Jan 5 '16 at 16:02
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.8k1397187
answered Jan 1 '16 at 22:34
Mike Atlas
1913
edited Jan 5 '16 at 16:02
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.8k1397187
edited Jan 5 '16 at 16:02
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.8k1397187
edited Jan 5 '16 at 16:02
IDrinkandIKnowThings
43.8k1397187
43.8k1397187
answered Jan 1 '16 at 22:34
Mike Atlas
1913
answered Jan 1 '16 at 22:34
Mike Atlas
1913
answered Jan 1 '16 at 22:34
Mike Atlas
1913
1913
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
What does it mean? It means "We want to appear open to hiring you in the future if things change". It does not mean they are open to hiring you in the future, regardless of any changes in you, the position, or the other applicants. It doesn't mean apply again tomorrow, or let us know when you graduate or anything else beyond giving the impression that they would you all due consideration if you applied again later.
It is not a totally meaningles statement, but it is close. You should not read anything at all into it NOT being said, and the MOST you should attribute to it if it is said, is that they don't think you are someone they could not work with.
answered Jan 2 '16 at 7:37
jmoreno
7,9271840
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
What does it mean? It means "We want to appear open to hiring you in the future if things change". It does not mean they are open to hiring you in the future, regardless of any changes in you, the position, or the other applicants. It doesn't mean apply again tomorrow, or let us know when you graduate or anything else beyond giving the impression that they would you all due consideration if you applied again later.
It is not a totally meaningles statement, but it is close. You should not read anything at all into it NOT being said, and the MOST you should attribute to it if it is said, is that they don't think you are someone they could not work with.
answered Jan 2 '16 at 7:37
jmoreno
7,9271840
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
What does it mean? It means "We want to appear open to hiring you in the future if things change". It does not mean they are open to hiring you in the future, regardless of any changes in you, the position, or the other applicants. It doesn't mean apply again tomorrow, or let us know when you graduate or anything else beyond giving the impression that they would you all due consideration if you applied again later.
It is not a totally meaningles statement, but it is close. You should not read anything at all into it NOT being said, and the MOST you should attribute to it if it is said, is that they don't think you are someone they could not work with.
answered Jan 2 '16 at 7:37
jmoreno
7,9271840
What does it mean exactly when they say "please keep in touch"? Is it just a polite thing that is customarily said or do they expect me to actually "stay in touch"?
What does it mean? It means "We want to appear open to hiring you in the future if things change". It does not mean they are open to hiring you in the future, regardless of any changes in you, the position, or the other applicants. It doesn't mean apply again tomorrow, or let us know when you graduate or anything else beyond giving the impression that they would you all due consideration if you applied again later.
It is not a totally meaningles statement, but it is close. You should not read anything at all into it NOT being said, and the MOST you should attribute to it if it is said, is that they don't think you are someone they could not work with.
answered Jan 2 '16 at 7:37
jmoreno
7,9271840
answered Jan 2 '16 at 7:37
jmoreno
7,9271840
answered Jan 2 '16 at 7:37
jmoreno
7,9271840
answered Jan 2 '16 at 7:37
jmoreno
7,9271840
7,9271840
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
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2
Is the "recruiter" that you mention the same company that you'd be working for, or is it a separate recruitment agency? If the application was through a recruitment agency they may mean something like "please keep using us to apply for jobs and internships".
– ping
Jan 1 '16 at 16:09
1
@ping it's from the company that would have hired me - it wasn't some third party recruitment thing
– Nick Zuber
Jan 1 '16 at 16:11
2
It means it's a auto-generated message made to try to seem polite while actually not caring for you.
– user3834459
Jan 5 '16 at 16:06