Always remain upbeat and professional. Thank them for interviewing you and taking the time to notify you of their decision. [2] X Research source Express disappointment in a positive way. This reaffirms your appreciation while showing that you respect their decision. Once you’ve done the above, you can request feedback on your interview. Keep reading to learn what questions to ask, as well as what to avoid.
Throw in a few extra words like “It was a pleasure to meet your team and learn more about the company. ”[3] X Research source If you met with specific people during the interview process, be sure to mention them by name: “It was great to meet you and Charlie,” “Please extend my gratitude to Maria. ”
Add a few specifics about the company or position, if possible. [4] X Research source For example, “While I’m saddened that I won’t be working with Alex and the rest of the Human Resources team, I’m grateful for having applied and wish you all the best. ”
If you’re requesting feedback over the phone, you could say, “If you have a few moments, I’d love to get some brief feedback on my application. ”
Ask if you lacked necessary qualifications. Recruiters often prefer candidates who already have the skillsets and experience needed for the job, so this could be opportunity to learn which qualifications you’re missing, if any. Take notes on any feedback you receive. Pay attention to specific suggestions for areas to improve. Take feedback as an opportunity to grow. While rejection hurts and criticism stings, learning your weaknesses can help you make the changes necessary to achieving your goals.
If you’re getting feedback on the phone, have your resumé and cover letter in front of you during the call. Make highlights and take notes according to the feedback you receive. If there were other materials in your application, like a portfolio or test results, you can ask about those as well. For example “Did my writing portfolio contain the proper material?” or “Was there a particular section of the aptitude test where I could have improved?”
Save this question for the end of your email or phone conversation, after more specific questions have been asked. For an email, you can phrase this as a statement. “Please feel free to share any other feedback that comes to mind. ”
If you’re writing an email, you could say “Thank you, again, and I hope to hear from you soon,” or “Thank you, and please send my regards to the rest of the team. ” You can also acknowledge recent events or the time of year. For example “Thank you, again. I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. ”
You can end an email or phone call with a general question or statement. For example, “Is there anything else you’d like to share?” or “Let me know if you have any additional comments or feedback. ”
If you feel hurt by the feedback you receive, try setting it aside and coming back to it later. It may be easier to hear criticism once you’d had a chance to process your feelings.
In some cases, the reason might be clear, such as if you scored too low on an aptitude test. But the recruiter may not be able to confirm this one way or another.
The only exception is if someone explicitly encourages you to follow up with more questions. In that case, a second email or phone call might be acceptable.
