Understanding why a company chose the other candidate over you is something that many job seekers who were not hired often ponder over. To best understand why this is so, the best approach is to ask questions.
However, like other job seekers, you may face some challenges in knowing how to ask why you didn’t get the job.
There is no doubt that the majority of companies today may not share any meaningful information about why this is so, especially for those scared of litigation.
Therefore, if you must get that information, you need to understand the right approach to going about it.
This article will direct you to the right way to ask why you didn’t get the job.
Why Many Employers Won’t Provide Feedback on Why You Didn’t Get the Job
According to The Balance Career, job seekers may file employment discrimination claims with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).
Some of these job seekers often claim that we rejected them on the grounds of gender, color, race, disability, or religion. As such, many companies choose to withhold any information regarding unsuccessful interviews.
While you may have an innocent intention of improving your chances in the future, the employer may never understand till you make yourself clear.
Note that: Many employers will close down any communication channel once they sense that you have a problem with their hiring decision. Therefore. Knowing what to ask and how to do so is key to getting any meaningful feedback about the job.
Keeping this in mind, there is nothing to lose when you cleverly request a critique. Worse comes to worst, you will not get feedback.
On the other hand, you might get just the information you need to land your next big job (either from the same employer or another suitable opening in the future).
Don’t be too sure they’re the problem, read to see 10 Sure Reasons You Didn’t Get The Job
How to Ask Why You Didn’t Get the Job
Once in a while, employers will provide feedback to job seekers that have a sincere interest in developing a better job search approach. One way to scare away an employer is by going straight to ask why you didn’t get the job.
Some employers perceive the question as a threat and will quickly shy away from responding or providing any feedback regarding the situation.
The smart way to go about it is to ask specific questions. Questions like:
- “Were they any key qualifications for this position that my employment background lack?”
- “What ideas do you suggest that can help me improve my CV and Cover Letter?”
- “Do I need to provide stronger job references to stand a better chance in the future?”
Many employers prefer to share feedback verbally with job seekers rather than by email. It prevents any form of evidence, in case the job seeker goes on a “rogue” mission and seeks legal action. Nonetheless, other hiring managers may prefer to share feedback through email.
It is, therefore, best to ask what channel of communication they prefer best when requesting feedback. All said, if you want to ask why you didn’t get the job hoping to get feedback, consider the following:
Read this article to see 20 Signs You Didn’t Get The Job After The Interview
1. Ponder on the Interview And Try To Find Out How It Went
The interview was just concluded and you got a message informing you that you didn’t get the job. The first thing to do is to take some time to ponder on the following:
- How well did you respond to the interviewer’s questions?
- How well did you compose yourself throughout the interview?
- Were you able to connect with the interviewer?
- Was the conversation natural or was it fake and automatic?
- Were you well prepared for the interview?
- In what areas do you think you need to improve?
Understanding that there is always room for improvement is one step to becoming better prepared to face other interviews.
Try to recall and put down your interview questions in writing and ponder on them. It will help you prepare better to answer other questions more professionally in the future.
Are you tech-savvy? Read How To Get Entry Level IT Jobs With No Experience
2. Follow-up Your Interview with an Email
It can be difficult to write a professional email after the news of not getting your dream job. However, doing so can help you become more professional and grow your career.
It presents you as one with a great qualifications in terms of character and personality. It can also open doors for you in the business or other companies in the future.
Those who read this article end up reading What Jobs Can You Get With A Business Degree?
3. When Requesting for Feedbacks, Do it Politely
As mentioned earlier, it is very important to understand how to request feedback politely using smart and direct questions. If you can’t do it smartly and politely, it is best not to request feedback at all.
Doing it the wrong way will cut off all communications with the employment manager and prevent your chances in the future.
Asking smart questions is one step to understanding your performance during the interview without cognitive bias. You can start by asking the following questions:
- What specific areas do you think I can work on to improve my chances of getting a job tomorrow?
- What do I need to do to appear as the preferred candidate in the future?
- Is there a particular skill you think I should acquire?
- What aspects of my CV do you think I should improve?
- What areas do you think I had the best performance in during my interview?
- Do you think I should present a stronger job reference?
- In what ways do you think I should research your company better before an interview in the future?
- What other suggestions do you have for me that can help m improve my job searching skills?
Read this article too; What To Put For Your Desired Salary on Your Job Application.
4. Don’t Forget to Respond to Their Feedback
Count yourself lucky if a company sends you feedback regarding your performance. Take a few days or a week to go through their feedback and reflect on it, then think of your response.
Sending a response makes you appear more professional in your approach. Don’t forget to thank them in the email for making out the time to send you feedback.
If you still hope to work for the same firm or organization in the future, make it clear that you are open to more opportunities in the future and, therefore, will like to stay in touch.
5. Reflect on Their Responses and Apply Them in Your Next Job Search
In your next job search, apply the ideas you got from your feedback. For instance, if the feedback points out that you did not compose yourself well, start practicing elf composure for your next job search.
You can also stage a mock interview with a family member or your friend to help you improve your composure.
With time, you can improve your composure and become better prepared for interviews in the future.
6. In the Future, Try Applying to Other Jobs
When you learn from your feedback, you become better equipped for other interviews in the future.
When you are fully prepared, try applying for other jobs openings and apply the ideas you got from feedback and see how far they will take you.
Don’t ever stop practicing as it is the only way to improve your personality and interview skills.
Example email Requesting for Employer Feedback
Dear Mr. John Doe,
Thank you so much for the privilege of meeting with me on January 5 for a discussion on the position of Technical Assistant at John Doe, Inc. It was a pleasure to hear about the company and your great achievements over the years.
I also appreciate you for making out the time to let me know that have already picked a candidate for the position. Your prompt message after your decision was well received.
I wouldn’t want to take up so much of your time, however, I would be pleased if you can share some feedback about my performance with me. I’d love to get your opinion, either through email or a brief phone conversation, about how to improve my skill set to be better prepared for future roles.
Thank you again for your consideration.
Best regards,
Mark Anderson
555-666-7777
[email protected]
References
- The Balance Career – How to Ask Why You Didn’t Get the Job
- How to Ask Why You Didn’t Get the Job (With Sample Emails) — Indeed.com
- How to Ask Why You Didn’t Get the Job — Successatschool.com
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