It’s important to always try to get feedback from the Recruiter or Hiring Manager about your performance in an interview. A Recruiter can be an invaluable source for collecting feedback. The Recruiter can help you to ask the right questions and most importantly how and when to ask them.
Interview Tips Request Feedback
Feedback helps you evaluate your skill set and learn what employers are searching for in a new hire. Feedback can also help you refine your answers to interview questions and improve how you sell yourself in the next interview. Interviewing takes practice and is not something that comes easily to everyone. The Hiring Manager may not always be forthcoming as to why you were not selected for a particular job. After all it can be an uncomfortable conversation that a lot of busy professionals won’t be so keen on sharing. A Recruiter can be an invaluable source for collecting feedback. The Recruiter can help you to ask the right questions and most importantly how and when to ask them.
Generally speaking, if you are not selected after the initial screening process such as the phone interview, the Hiring Manager might not give you a substantial answer as to why you were not selected to proceed to the next step in the hiring process. However, if you have been through multiple interviews, then you are in a better position to ask for feedback because you have established a relationship with the Recruiter and Hiring Manager.
When asking questions, try not to sound defensive and be as gracious as possible when accepting the bad news. Thank the Recruiter or Hiring Manager for their time. It is important to maintain a good relationship with all your contacts. You want the Recruiter or Hiring Manager to keep you in mind for future opportunities. Also, graciousness will take you far…the Recruiter will be more willing to share specific feedback about your skills and experience if they see that you are genuinely interested and want to learn. Feedback gives you the opportunity to identify your skill shortages, correct mistakes and improve interview performance for the future.
You should also evaluate yourself throughout the interview process. Try to pick up on cues from the Interviewer as to how you are doing. Sometimes when Interviewers spend a lot of time discussing the company and industry, it’s a very good sign. If you are introduced to other members of the company at the end of your interview, this could also be a positive sign. If the interview is cut short or the Interviewer doesn’t seem focused on your answers, then it might mean that you are not the right fit for the role.
If you’re not chosen for the position and the Hiring Manager calls to deliver the bad news, it’s important to remain gracious through-out your initial shock. Thank them for their time and ask them politely what qualities would have made you a better candidate for that position. Don’t appear argumentative. Express your interest in constructive feedback. If your heart is really set on working for that particular company, let them know about your keen interest and ask to be considered for future opportunities.
This blog on Interview Tips Request Feedback is part of our weekly Career Planning Advice Blog at Fusion Career Services.
