A frustration for many candidates is when they not only do not get the job, but also do not receive any type of meaningful feedback on why they weren’t chosen for the opening. Getting feedback after your interview sometimes can feel just as difficult as getting the actual job! Many candidates walk out of an interview unsure of how they did and wondering if there are any changes they could’ve made in their answers or style to help them improve their interviewing technique, but many times it is really difficult to receive true or substantive feedback from an interviewer or hiring manager at a company. Why is this?
Most companies will prefer for their HR and Recruiting contacts to take the safe route when communicating to a candidate that they didn’t get the job. “We thought you were great, we just had a candidate that the hiring manager selected that was slightly ahead of you” is a frequent response given. Even if this isn’t true, a company doesn’t want to expose themselves to any type of liability by giving real, honest feedback about what someone did or didn’t do in an interview, or why they weren’t selected.
Just because you might not get feedback, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still ask. If you look for feedback in a positive manner, it is a great way to leave a good impression with a firm, and also you could use any valuable information that would help you on your search, and in your next interview.
Here are some ways to get feedback on your interview:
Keep it future-based. When you ask for feedback, instead of asking about what you could’ve done differently, instead focus on what things they think you could do over the next 6 months to two years to be right for this role. Is there any specific experience that the hiring manager thinks would help you? Certifications? Business focus?
Have an ally. Try and have an ally inside the company that will give you real and honest feedback about your candidacy and how you compare to the others interviewing for the same position. This person might be a friend who has insight into the firm or hiring even if they’re not directly involved. Many times your recruiter (both internally at the firm or an external recruiter) will be getting feedback from the hiring manager along each step of the process. They also have a vested interest in hiring the right person for the role, so keep your communication open and inquisitive.
Ask for feedback along the way: If you are able to have an open dialogue with the company as you are still in consideration, then ask the question during the interview when you are meeting with the hiring manager. “Is there anything that you have specific questions about regarding my background and how it relates to this job? Any concerns?”
Write a thank you note regardless: I’ve informed candidates that they didn’t get the job, and they immediately drop their professionalism when hearing the news. A general rule is to think that you never want to burn a bridge with a company, even if they have decided to hire someone else. Consider writing a thank you note even if you get turned down for a position. Thank them for the time and the consideration, and hope they might consider you in the future.
Ultimately you still might be frustrated with the results if you end up not being the person chosen for the job, but by asking for feedback you can rest easier knowing that you’ve done everything in your power to earn the job. Take those lessons learned along with you on the next interview!
