How to Get Feedback From a Job Rejection
After a rejection, the most useful thing you can do is ask for honest feedback from the interviewer. The Public Speaker explains how.
Lisa B. Marshall
People are much less likely to give you honest feedback immediately over the phone. Instead, you’ll have more success if you send a very polite and professional letter (email is OK, but letter is better) about two weeks after the rejection, explaining you are asking for feedback as part of your career development.
Specifically, tell your interviewer that you were impressed with him and his credentials. Then ask him if he would be willing to help you. Most people are interested in helping others—or at least that’s what I believe. Tell him you are sincerely interested in your professional growth and would like for him to provide you brutally honest feedback so you can improve your interview skills.
Then ask them for three specific things you did well (and that you should continue doing) and three things that you might consider doing differently the next time. By specifically asking for both the good and the bad you’re much more likely to get some thoughtful feedback that can help you. Again, if your request is in writing, it allows the interviewer time to create a direct but tactful response. And this also gives him the choice to respond in writing or by phone (whichever is more comfortable for him).
Another approach is to say at the end of the interview something like this: “I’ve really enjoyed our conversation and I’m interested in working here at XYZ company. I think I would make a great fit for the following reasons…Do you have any concerns or hesitations?” You’ll be able to tell immediately by the reaction if there is a concern.
If you’re lucky, the person may choose to share any concerns, but again, there’s a good chance they won’t be completely truthful and you’ll need to send a follow-up note if you don’t get the job. If they do tell you something, you’ll need to listen carefully, and NOT react. You’ll want to thank them for giving you the feedback. You might consider addressing a concern very, very, briefly on the spot, however, the time to really address it is in your thank you letter. It’s critical to remain professional and polite at all times.
Man on Computer image from Shutterstock
About the Author
Lisa B. Marshall Lisa holds masters with duel degrees in interpersonal/intercultural communication and organizational communication. She’s the author of Smart Talk: The Public Speaker’s Guide to Success in Every Situation, as well as Ace Your Interview, Powerful Presenter, and Expert Presenter. Her work has been featured in CBS Money Watch, Ragan.com, Woman’s Day, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and many others. Her institutional clients include Johns Hopkins Medicine, Harvard University, NY Academy of Science, University of Pennsylvania, Genentech, and Roche.