My Friend Replied to a Rejection Email — What Happened Next Shocked Everyone

Sometimes, all it takes is one daring move to turn everything around. My friend had been chasing opportunities for months, facing rejection after rejection — each one chipping away at his confidence. But then came the moment that changed it all: he decided to hit “Reply” on one of those rejection emails and sent a message no one saw coming. What happened next completely rewrote his story — and proved that sometimes, boldness really does pay off.

One Reddit user shared an explosive recruitment story and it went viral in no time.

The OP wrote, “My buddy has been on the job hunt since his team was downsized back in early March, and honestly, he’s been getting super burnt out. He’s been sending out probably 10 to 20 applications a day and had only gotten a couple of initial calls over the past month to show for it.

A couple days ago, he got another one of those standard rejection emails. You know the one: ‘while your qualifications are impressive, we’ve decided to pursue other candidates...’ He was about to just archive it with the rest, but then he noticed it came directly from a recruiter’s email, not a ‘no-reply’ address.

On a whim, he just decided to shoot a reply back. He figured, what’s the harm?”

The OP’s friend made a power move that brought an unexpected outcome.

The OP continues the story, saying, “He sent something simple like:

‘Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate you considering my application. I’m still very interested in the company, so please keep me in mind for any future roles that might be a good fit.’

Well, this morning he gets a new email from the SAME recruiter. I’m not kidding.

‘Hi [Friend’s Name], thanks for your gracious response. A spot on the team has actually just opened up unexpectedly. Would you be available for a call next week to discuss it?’

He was completely floored. He had already mentally moved on from that role. Now he’s got an interview scheduled for this coming Tuesday afternoon.

Just thought I’d share. I guess being polite can actually make a difference. Wild.”

Redditors rushed to the comments section, and they didn’t hold up their emotions:

• That’s a great story and honestly it tracks. Recruiters usually run the whole process, so even a small positive interaction can go a long way. I remember reading a similar post a while back where someone skipped job boards entirely. They pulled up Google Maps, found recruiters and companies, then mass emailed their resume. The crazy part is they actually landed multiple remote offers from it. © Dappershire / Reddit
• This also happened to me. I got the rejection. Said something along the lines of “thank you for considering me. If there is any feedback about my application or interview that I could use to help with future interviews that would be very helpful”. And within a day I got another interview and just accepted the job. © lsfm93 / Reddit
• This happened to me as well! I asked for feedback and was told it didn’t have much to do with me, rather someone who interviewed with them previously asked to interview for the current position. Fast forward a week or so, got a call saying that person didn’t work out and they wanted to offer it to me before posting it. I think reaching out for feedback and showing clear interest even after rejection really helps people stand out. © possumlawyer67 / Reddit
• Sometimes, it’s nice to see the recruiting process working in a somewhat sensible manner. Some HR/HCO staff seem to view their role as gatekeepers to keep some folks out, while others instead look at ways they can contribute to positive progress. Congratulations on your new position, and I wish you all the best! © CivilStratocaster / Reddit

Here, you can read stories of people who quit their jobs — and how that decision led to unexpected and life-changing turns.