---
title: Best Practices for leaving Declined Reason
description: When you set an applicant’s status to “Declined,” you’llbe prompted to enter a reason for the decision. This step helps maintain clarity and recordkeeping within your project pipeline.
---

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# Best Practices for leaving Declined Reason

## When you set an applicant’s status to “Declined,” you’llbe prompted to enter a reason for the decision. This step helps maintain clarity and recordkeeping within your project pipeline.

#### What to Include in the Decline Reason

It’s helpful to include **specific, relevant, and professional** reasons for declining candidates on the ToolBelt Web App.

#### ✅ Good Examples:

- “Did not hold current general liability insurance.”
- “Requested pay outside of project budget.”
- “Unresponsive after multiple calls and texts.”
- “Not enough experience with siding installs.”

#### ❌ What to Avoid:

- Vague statements like “bad fit” without context.
- Anything unprofessional or unrelated to candidate qualifications.

#### Why does It matter?

Providing solid reasoning:

- Keeps a documented trail for compliance and auditing.
- ToolBelt candidate deliverly system is refined by Declined Reason.
- Supports your future hiring & contractor communication strategies.

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