The Ultimate Rejection Letter

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waterwheel
@waterwheel
17 Years

Comments: 0 · Posts: 170 · Topics: 8
Herbert A. Millington
Chair - Search Committee
412A Clarkson Hall, Whitson University
College Hill, MA 34109

Dear Professor Millington,

Thank you for your letter of March 16. After careful consideration, I
regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me
an assistant professor position in your department.

This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually
large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field
of candidates, it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.

Despite Whitson's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in
rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at
this time. Therefore, I will assume the position of assistant professor
in your department this August. I look forward to seeing you then.

Best of luck in rejecting future applicants.

Sincerely,
Chris L. Jensen
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waterwheel
@waterwheel
17 Years

Comments: 0 · Posts: 170 · Topics: 8
"hahahaha...question is though: Did it work?"

Heheheh - I think a less favourable interpretation would be that it's midly passive-aggressive, so I'm not sure they'd make an effective worker. I think they would be a great beer-buddy though!

On that note - there is a site here: http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/

Somewhere on the site (I forget how to get there), there's a slideshow where you can just read through all the passive-aggressive notes that people have sent in. Some of them are truly hilarious!
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wheelhomies
@wheelhomies
19 Years10,000+ Posts

Comments: 0 · Posts: 15279 · Topics: 125
i don't really see that as passive-aggressiveness. i see it as having a healthy sense of humor. but i suppose it really depends on the tone.

as for that website, the funniest one i saw was the "statement of silent treatment" or whatever it was, where the lady wrote that she was officially not speaking to the other lady. that was hilarious. i liked what they did with the corrections, although that was w-a-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y more passive-aggressive than the original letter. the woman who submitted it sounds like a biotch. i prly wouldn't speak to her either.