How Do I Reject Applications?

In this article, you'll learn how to reject applications at different stages of the application process. You'll discover how to quickly reject applications during screening as well as how to reject already accepted applications, including options for delayed rejection messages.

Rejecting Applications During Screening

1. Reject an application directly during screening
   If an application is in the screening phase, you can reject it very easily. Open the talent's profile and click the Reject button at the top of the right panel. The talent will automatically receive a notification, and you don't need to write your own message since Instaffo handles this for you.

Rejecting Already Accepted Applications

2. Navigate back to the application overview
   If you've already accepted an application and want to reject it later, click Back to List to return to the overview.

3. Open the "In Progress" tab
   Switch to the In Progress tab to see all applications you've already accepted.

4. Select the application
   Click on the talent's application card that you want to reject to open their profile.

5. Change status to "Rejected"
   In the profile sidebar, you'll find a status dropdown (for example, Accepted). Click on it and select Rejected from the list.

   

Configure the Rejection Message

6. Set message options
   If the application is already in progress, you'll be asked to send a rejection message. In the dialog that appears, you have the following options:

   • I want to send a message: Toggle this on or off to decide whether to send a message
   • Use standard message: You can use the pre-filled standard message or use a custom template
   • Don't send a message: Turn off the toggle if you don't want to send a message

7. Set up a delayed rejection (optional)
   Turn on the Send rejection in 3 business days toggle if you want the rejection to be sent later. The settings you make when rejecting an application will be saved for next time.

8. Continue with "Next"
   Click Next to move to the next step.

9. Provide rejection reasons
   You'll be asked why you didn't hire the talent. Select up to three reasons from the available options such as Language, incomplete profile, hard skills, soft skills, or others. This information is not shared with the talent and is only used to improve matching.

   

10. Confirm the rejection
    Click Send rejection in 3 days (for a delayed rejection) or Reject (for an immediate rejection) to complete the process.

Withdraw a Rejection

11. Undo a delayed rejection
    If you've set up a delayed rejection, you can still withdraw it before it's sent. Open the Chat tab in the talent's profile and click the Withdraw rejection link in the system message. The talent will then be moved back to their original stage.

Alternative: Reject an Application Using Drag and Drop

12. Move the application card
    If your screen is large enough, you can also reject applications using drag and drop. Simply drag the application card from its current column to the Rejected column. You'll be asked to configure a rejection message here as well.

    

Once you've completed these steps, the application is rejected and the talent will be notified according to your settings. The application card is now in the Rejected column of your application board.