In this guide
Templates, checklists and worksheets
How to withdraw a job application politely
When to withdraw from a hiring process, who to tell, and short withdrawal emails for before and after an interview has been arranged.
Good reasons to step out early
- You have accepted another offer.
- You learned something about the role, such as location or hours, that you cannot work with.
- Your circumstances changed and you are no longer looking.
- You realised the role is not one you would accept, and continuing would waste both sides' time.
Withdrawing is not a black mark. Recruiters expect some candidates to leave a process, and they remember the ones who tell them clearly far better than the ones who stop replying.
Who to tell
Reply to the last person who contacted you about the role. If you applied through an agency, tell your agency contact rather than the employer directly. If the employer's portal has a withdraw option, use it as well as sending a message, so the record is updated.
Templates
Subject: Withdrawing my application for [job title] ([reference, if given]) Dear [name], Thank you for considering my application for [job title]. My circumstances have changed, and I would like to withdraw from the process. I appreciate your time and wish you well with the recruitment. Kind regards, [Your name]
Subject: Withdrawing from [job title] interview on [date] Dear [name], Thank you for inviting me to interview for [job title] on [date and time]. I have accepted another position, so I am withdrawing my application and wanted to let you know in good time to offer the slot to someone else. Thank you for your time, and I hope we have the chance to work together in future. Best wishes, [Your name]
A filled-in example
Illustrative example
Withdrawing through a recruitment agency
- Hi Sam, thanks again for putting me forward for the payroll role at the logistics client.
- I have accepted a permanent position elsewhere this morning, so please withdraw me from that process and any others you have submitted me for.
- I would be glad to hear from you if a similar role comes up next year.
Asking the agency to withdraw you from every process stops your resume being sent anywhere else.
What not to do
- Do not simply miss the interview. It costs the employer a slot and is often remembered.
- Do not list complaints about the process in the withdrawal; if feedback would genuinely help, offer it separately.
- Do not withdraw by deleting your portal account alone; tell a person.
Finally, mark the application as closed in your own records so you stop planning around it.
Common questions
Can I reapply to the same employer after withdrawing?
Usually, yes. A clear and courteous withdrawal makes a later application easier, especially if you explained that your circumstances changed.
Should I explain why I am withdrawing?
Only if it is useful and true. 'My circumstances have changed' or 'I have accepted another position' is enough.
Drafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.