Is this a letter of rejection? Forum

[gabbagabba]

So I'm been applying to a few state agencies, and mostly I've gotten the standard "we think your qualifications are great, but f*ck off " letters, but recently I got an odd one - the agency wrote back saying they weren't sure where the Legislature was going with budget cuts (my state hasn't yet finalized it's yearly budget), but they'd keep my resume in the active file if anything opens up.

Is this another rejection letter, or is it something more like a wait-list?

[fatduck]

"we'll keep your resume on file" is almost always code for rejection. not sure about government, though. can't hurt to follow up later.

[maf70]

Ive gotten this letter from judges, law firms, and government agencies. It is definitely a rejection letter.

[gabbagabba]

"we'll keep your resume on file" is almost always code for rejection. not sure about government, though. can't hurt to follow up later.

Yeah, that's the weird thing - the "we'll keep it on file" is a typical rejection, but the explanation that 'they aren't sure about Legislature funding and they're waiting to see what happens' is what makes me think it might be genuine

FWIW, my state is like the Fed's situation right now - there's no budget in place b/c of gridlock between Repub/Dem over the budget cuts and nothings getting done and no one knows where the cuts will come from

[Unitas]

"we'll keep your resume on file" is almost always code for rejection. not sure about government, though. can't hurt to follow up later.

Yeah, that's the weird thing - the "we'll keep it on file" is a typical rejection, but the explanation that 'they aren't sure about Legislature funding and they're waiting to see what happens' is what makes me think it might be genuine

FWIW, my state is like the Fed's situation right now - there's no budget in place b/c of gridlock between Repub/Dem over the budget cuts and nothings getting done and no one knows where the cuts will come from

If you really want to work there offer to work for free or free unless they can fund it. Basically show you'll try and make it work if it is your first choice. Chances are you'll get back they don't have funds for someone to supervise you or something. All and all it is a rejection, but not caused by you I would say.

My weirdest "rejection" was a judicial internship reply letter that never said no or we can't have you. It basically said I was in contention for the 2012-2013 clerkship.. i don't even graduate by then. It was weird and I just summarily discarded it as a rejection, but I already had a summer gig anyhow so following up didn't make much sense.