(image borrowed from here)

I had 51 people apply to be on next year’s CEC film staff, and sadly, I do not have 51 positions to fill. They were an eager lot and I excitedly read through their applications, laughed at their jokes, smiled at their witticisms, and cried as I put them on the pile of “not quite the best”…

But when it came down to send them the unfortunate e-mail explaining my choice, I was at a loss. Do I just make it a plain old form letter, thanking them for their continued support and express my desires that they continue to support CEC? Do I analyze their application and send them personalized feedback on why I found them … lesser?

I couldn’t stomach these options, so I went with the “oldie but a goodie” break-up letter. Feel free to use it in your own situation…

We’ve known each other so long that’s what makes this so hard…

It started so long ago, the application, the limitless potential that we both felt, the passion… oh, the passion.

But as time wore on, we both felt something wasn’t quite right. There were missed phone calls, one-sided make-out sessions, and broken hearts.

It can’t go on like this.

It’s not you, it’s me.

I just need time. It’s not like I don’t appreciate your effort and energy and thoughts… that’s what made it so special. That’s what I’ll always treasure.

It’s just… there’s someone else. Forgive me. I’ve been unfaithful.

In time, I think, we can talk again. I’m pretty cyclical.

Maybe in a year, we can speak again.

Thank you, though.

We’ll always have the application.

With a broken heart,

Alex Jeffries.

I smiled fondly as I clicked the ’send’ button, wiping a tear away.

What I didn’t expect was positive feedback:

This is the best rejection letter EVER!!!!

You truly have a gift for let-downs, how can I be upset with a letter like that. haha

This was the first I received, a real shocker. The next one was similar:

HAHA. That must be the most gentlest rejection letter I have ever read!

Oh? A future career path in the making for me?

by far the most endearing and heartfelt rejection letter of all time lol

I’m just pleased that people are taking it well, and that the angry letters have been caught by my spam filter. Anyway, just thought I would give you a glimpse inside the slightly odd interview process for cec. The actual interviews are happening over the next three days, so I’ll have some more comments then!