Interview feedback enables you to understand not only how you performed in the interview, but also the impression you made on your interviewer and whether you are a good fit for the role; and if not, this is also a key opportunity to understand why and how you could position yourself better in the future.  

According to Job Description Library, 98% of recruiters say that they always give feedback to unsuccessful candidates after an interview, yet 30% of candidates say that they have attended at least one interview from which they never heard back from the employer.

The interview is complete and you’re eager to get some feedback from your interviewer and your recruiter. But what’s the best way to do this? 

You may not always receive feedback as quickly as you’d like due to various reasons. A good idea is to firstly inform your recruiter promptly on how you felt the interview went from your perspective; and then request feedback from their side soon after. A good first step before receiving feedback is to get in touch by email to thank your interviewer for their time and consideration. 

Were you unsuccessful? Do the same

Whether you were successful or not, it is common courtesy to thank the interviewer for their time and kindly request feedback from their part. It’s also important to remain polite when requesting. The tone of your request could determine how much feedback the recruiter or interviewer provides  you  with. Be sure to come across as genuinely appreciative of their help towards your professional development. 

Discuss the feedback with your recruiter 

Once you have expressed your gratitude for the interview and opportunity, your recruiter is likely to have feedback and whether you have been successful (and progressed onto the next stage) or whether you have been unsuccessful and therefore unable to progress in the application process. 

If you have not received feedback in timely fashion, contact your recruiter or interviewer to request this feedback. Tell them what you thought went well and areas which you felt you were not at your strongest. Your recruiter will brief you and give you tips and guidance on how to approach the next stage of the process (if successful).

Although you can gain reasonable feedback via email, it is suggested that you have a phone call with your interviewer to fully gauge the feedback that is being presented. That way, you can also ask questions you feel are necessary. 

Consider the feedback 

The purpose of feedback is to help you identify the reasons why you were successful or unsuccessful in your interview. Once you speak to your recruiter or the interviewer, take the feedback on board and use it as guidance for any future interviews. 

How was your posture? Were you engaging? Did you have any questions for them? These are all things you should consider when preparing for future interviews. It’s a good idea also to ask for guidance and tips. Although interviewers may be hesitant to give rejected applicants tips , by asking politely for help or advice without being too pressing, the interviewer may feel more comfortable assisting you.

Tips to requesting feedback after job rejection: 

Choose email: As recruiters and HR staff are likely to be very busy, and although telephone feedback may be the best method, you’re likely to receive feedback via email. This way, the HR team can respond to your email when they’re less busy, leaving a better chance for a more detailed analysis. 

Be concise: You’re recruiter or the HR team are likely to have several candidates they’re communicating with; so it’s best to keep your email short and to the point. A polite and well-constructed email is likely to get a response. 

Proofread your email: Although you may have been rejected, your impressions still remain. Ensure every email you send to your recruiter of the HR team is proofread beforehand. Who knows, there may be another opportunity in the future. 

Use positive language: Although the job application process can be frustrating sometimes, especially after rejection, it’s important to use positive language if you want to increase your chances of receiving valuable feedback. 

Interview feedback is valuable only if you use it as guidance for future interviews. The way interviews are being conducted is changing, and with the introduction of remote interviews and assessments to add, understanding the best way to approach interviews will benefit you in the long run. 

Our dedicated and knowledgeable consultants will be with you every step of the way to ensure you have all the tools and guidance you need to make the best impression possible in your interview.