Everyone talks about pre-interview jitters, but no one talks about the anxiety that follows the screening. Always these nagging questions in your head yelling: “Did I do well?”, “Did they like me?”, “Will they get back to me?”. This anxiety gets even worse when it’s your dream job. To ease yourself of this anxiety, it’s critical to learn how to ask for feedback after an interview.
Asking for feedback after an interview may seem a bit awkward at first and hard to do, especially if you don’t know how to deal with rejection, but after you’ve attended several interviews, you’d realize the usefulness of requesting feedback.
In this article, Blinkist shows you how to ask for feedback after an interview. We will also explain why it is important and the best way to approach it.
Asking for feedback after an interview is beneficial both for the candidate and the employer. For the candidate, it helps to identify your weaknesses and strengths. This way, you can prepare better for your next interview. For employers, it helps them to improve their recruitment process.
Asking for interview feedback could also boost your employment chances because asking these questions shows your willingness to learn and improve. This is one of the attributes that employers want to see in their workers and may influence them to take a chance on you.
Furthermore, asking for feedback after an interview helps build a relationship between you and the interviewer. By showing your willingness to improve, and asking relevant questions, you’re painting a good impression of yourself. This could encourage the employer to pursue your interests and keep you in mind for future opportunities.
While it’s important to know how to ask for feedback after an interview, it’s also necessary to know when and whom to ask. Before we proceed, you should bear in mind some hiring managers will not give you feedback, even if you ask them nicely. Occasionally, they do this to avoid saying something overtly critical that may be misunderstood or just don’t have the time.
So, when is the right time to ask for feedback after an interview, and who should you ask?
It’s best to ask for feedback as early as possible. Don’t wait for weeks before asking. Reach out to them early and ask questions like, “Based on your assessment, do you think I have the experience and skills that you need in your ideal candidate?”
You can send this as a follow-up email after an interview or via a phone conversation. Whichever one you choose, it is best to reach out within a few days, when the details are still fresh in the recruiter’s mind.
If the recruitment process involves several rounds, you may ask for feedback at the end of each round. This will help you to prepare better for the next round.
The interviewers are the best people to ask for an appraisal of your performance. If you’re unable to reach them directly, you can call or email the HR department to request their contact information. Remember to be cautious and professional while doing this to avoid giving off a wrong impression.
Here are some tips on how to ask for feedback after an interview:
1. Start by Appreciating them for Inviting you to the Screening
Many people apply for a job opening, but only a few get an interview invite. So, it is best to start by thanking them for the invitation.
2. Be Polite
Always remember that the recruiter doesn’t owe you this feedback. In fact, it’s totally at their discretion to either respond to you or not. So, endeavor to be polite in your request.
3. Explain your Reason for Reaching Out
Clearly state the reason you’re reaching out to the employer. Tell them that you’re looking to become a better candidate for future opportunities, so you would like to know what your weaknesses are.
4. Be Specific, Not Vague
Don’t ask general questions like “How did I do in the screening?” Instead, ask specific questions like “What do you consider my strongest points, and which areas would you advise me to improve on?”
5. Be Open-minded
Resist the urge to argue or become defensive when receiving feedback. Instead, listen attentively, and encourage them to tell you everything on their mind, and not to hold back.
6. Show Appreciation
In the end, appreciate them for their time and feedback. Showing gratitude gives a positive impression of you, and shows that you’re teachable. It could also be the start of a cordial relationship between you and the recruiter.
7. Review the Suggestions and Apply Them
After you have received the recruiter’s honest suggestions, it’s time to review and apply them. Indeed, you may not need to apply everything they say. But it is critical to apply the ones that resonate with your goals.
Getting a rejection letter after an interview could leave you feeling sad and depressed. Despite this, you should be careful when asking for interview feedback. Here are some things you should avoid when sending your request.
Now that you have learned how to ask for feedback after an interview, it’s important to adopt a better approach when preparing for your next recruitment process. These 10 books will help you to prepare for your job search and ace any job screening.
Blinkist has broken the key ideas of these books into short podcasts. So, you can listen to them on the go while preparing to meet your next employer.
Meet Chris, an accomplished bilingual copywriter who excels at simplifying complex topics and making them a feast for your brain. When he’s not crafting copy in German or English, you’ll find him chasing his dream of a barefoot life on the beach with stacks of exciting books.
A small investment, an incredible growth opportunity: Get access to powerful ideas from top nonfiction books and podcasts.
Start your free trialBlinkist is an app that transforms key insights from great nonfiction books into quick, easy-to-understand highlights. The reality is – everyone loves reading, but no one has the time. Blinkist fills this learning gap and makes acquiring new knowledge effortless.
Download the Blinkist app