Rejection Email Decoder

What the rejection email decoder does

Rejection emails are written to end the conversation, not to explain the decision. Phrases such as 'we will keep your resume on file' or 'we went with a more experienced candidate' are templates that recruiters reuse for every candidate.

The decoder takes one line from your email and says what that wording usually signals, how much it tells you about the real reason and what to do next. It is a reading aid for common phrases. It does not know the real reason behind your result.

How to use the decoder

1. Copy one line. Pick the sentence that bothers you most from the rejection email.
2. Paste and decode. The decoder matches it to common recruiter wording and explains the likely meaning.
3. Decide the next step. If the line points to a gap, run a full interview debrief to find the one change to make.

Rejection email questions

Does 'we will keep your resume on file' mean I have another chance?

Usually not. It is a polite closing line. Treat the application as closed and apply again only when a new role opens.

Is 'we moved forward with other candidates' a sign I did badly?

Not by itself. The line states the decision and gives no reason. The stage you reached is the only real clue.

Can a rejection email be feedback?

Rarely. Most are templates, and many are sent by software. Specific feedback is a good sign, so reply with a short thank you and ask one precise question.

Is the decoder free?

Yes. It is free and needs no signup.

What should I do after I decode the email?

Check the stage you reached. A rejection after a screen points to your resume and first call. A rejection after a final round points to depth in one or two answers. Then run a debrief to find which.

Related pages

• Debrief your own interview
• Company interview guides
• Interview question bank
• Why candidates get rejected