Anina
Is it ever appropriate to ask your interviewer why you were rejected for a job, so that you can improve next time?
Hi! My name is Anina and I'm a high school senior interning at CareerVillage. I've always wondered if this was ok, because when I get rejected from places, I don't know how to improve next time. #human-resources #resume #interviews
8 answers
Casey Tiefenwerth
Casey’s Answer
Hi Anina,
Yes, it is appropriate to ask your interviewer why you were rejected for the job. There is a strong possibility that you will not hear back from your interviewer but it can incredibly helpful if you do. In the past, I have sent an email that read something like this:
"Dear ____,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the POSITION with COMPANY on DATE. As you can imagine, I was disappointed to learn that you decided to go with another another candidate, as I believe that my education and experience would have made me a valuable addition to COMPANY. As I move forward to my job search, I would like refine my interviewing and make sure that I am representing my skills and abilities well. I would greatly appreciate it if you took a moment to provide me with some feedback on our interview. Thank you in advance for your time.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME"
Thank you for the email prompt! I hope I don't have to use it soon XD
Anina
John Cline
John’s Answer
I think the goal should be to leave the interview with a pretty good idea of where you stand as a candidate. Most interviewers will be comfortable sharing feedback or advice, if you ask. At the end of every interview there should be several minutes when the candidate has an opportunity to ask the interviewer some questions. There are certain questions you can ask the interviewer in this time to get some initial feedback and see where you stand, before ever getting a final decision.
- "What are your potential hesitations around my candidacy?" or "From my background, what challenges do you think I would face in this role"
- "Is there anything that I didn't discuss in this interview that you would have liked to hear me address?" or "Where there any answers that I gave that weren't entirely clear?"
- "What will next steps in the process be?" or "When should I expect to hear about next steps?"
If you try some of these questions, you should be able to gauge how the interview went. You should also walk away with some feedback to help you improve in future interviews.
Thank you! These questions all look really helpful. I'd never have thought of asking right at the end like that, but in retrospect it makes a lot of sense.
Anina
Erim E A
Erim’s Answer
Yes, it is appropriate to ask your interviewer why you were rejected for a job. However, I have interviewers "beat around the bush" and not give honest direct feedback. But if you come across an interviewer who provides you with constructive honest feedback, please do not take it personal. Consider it a learning experience, and use the feedback to improve yourself for the next interview.
Thank you very much for the advice!
Anina
Simeon Snow
Simeon’s Answer
Jordan Whitmer
Jordan’s Answer
Absolutely, you should ask why you were rejected! As a hiring manager, I really appreciate when candidates ask me why I have rejected them; I am always happy to provide feedback to a candidate in the hopes that it will help them improve on their next interview!
Gina Cabrera
Gina’s Answer
1. Seek feedback from a mentor or career advisor: Reach out to someone you trust, such as a mentor, teacher, or career advisor, and ask for their input on your resume, interview skills, and overall application. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.
2. Reflect on your own performance: Take some time to reflect on your interview experience. Consider what went well and what could have been improved. Think about your answers, body language, and overall presentation. This self-reflection can help you identify areas for growth.
3. Conduct a mock interview: Practice your interview skills by conducting mock interviews with friends, family members, or career counselors. They can provide constructive feedback on your performance and help you identify areas that need improvement.
4. Attend workshops or seminars: Look for workshops or seminars that focus on interview skills and resume writing. These events can provide valuable tips and strategies to enhance your job application techniques.
Remember, rejection is a part of the job search process, and it's important to stay positive and persistent. By seeking feedback and continuously improving your skills, you'll increase your chances of success in future job applications. Good luck!
Katy Maclean
Katy’s Answer
Yes though most of the time you probably won't get feedback. I like the letter idea posted above though with the volume of emails moving through a mangers inbox, it may just get filed away. It never hurts to ask as long as you do it in a non-confrontational way.
