It has been a few weeks after you interviewed for your dream job. Then you receive that dreaded email response: “We regret to inform you that you have not been selected for this position.” You make the best attempt to handle the news positively, but you start wondering why you did not get the job. We will go into more detail regarding how you can ask for feedback. Hearing what went wrong can help you as a candidate pinpoint the areas that you need to work on, whether it is your body language or your ability to come up with real life examples in a thoughtful manner.

How To Ask For Interview Feedback

Your best bet is to approach the individual that you spoke with early on in the interview process such as a recruiter or Human Resources associate rather than the hiring manager. Hiring managers are busy people and they are not required to provide you with feedback. A recruiter may be more willing to provide feedback since they are responsible for providing a positive experience for all candidates.

You can start off by sending that person an email as soon as the decision has been made. Say that you are appreciative that you had the chance to interview and that you are sorry that you did not get the position. Ask if they could spare a few minutes of their time for a phone call in order to discuss the areas where you could potentially improve. Moving the conversation from email to the phone is important since the recruiter will be more candid on the phone.

How To Ask For Feedback: Entry Level

When you are aiming for an entry-level job, you are more likely competing against a diverse array of other potential candidates. Whether or not the recruiter will be willing to offer you advice comes down to your likability. If you made a good impression, they will be more likely to help as you try to get your career on the right track. You want to come across as someone looking for guidance and advice. 

Ask open-ended questions, such as:

• How can I position myself in order to be the top candidate for this type of job in the future?
• If I apply for a similar role at another company, what would you recommend in terms of focusing on developing specific skills?

In response, you should show appreciation for the recruiter sharing their insights. 

How To Ask for Feedback: Mid-level

At this stage of your career with several interviews under your belt, you probably have a good idea of whether or not the interview went well. If the rejection takes you by surprise, you are going to want specifics in terms of a critique.

• What feedback do you have for me as a potential candidate?
• Are there any interview strategies you would recommend?

How to Ask for Interview: Executive Level

It becomes easier over time to solicit feedback the further along you are in your career. If the recruiter is hesitant to talk, ask any references that you have if the hiring manager spoke to what they were asked. For instance, if they asked why you held several jobs within a five-year period, this should clue you in that they were potentially apprehensive about your work experience.

What To Do If You Are Met With Silence

Try following up in a week or so if your initial request goes unanswered. Follow up three times and if you are not getting a reply? Some companies have a policy against giving feedback for liability reasons in case it turns into a PR issue or an EEOC discrimination claim. 

Ready to start your first job? Congrats! The fact that you have landed a full-time job is a big accomplishment and it is definitely worth celebrating. You can take advantage of this occasion by kick-starting your professional development. Here are the steps you should take in order to make the most of your first job and set yourself up for a successful career path.

Identifying Your Career Goals

You never know where your career will take you. Your first job could be a great fit and it could also make you second-guess the field you have chosen. You want to create several long-term career goals during the time that you invest at your first job. Many people think they know exactly what they want to do but it isn’t until they are at their first job that they find out what they don’t like. You can use this time to identify what kind of career path you want to build and in the process you can try to have an open mind. If you are moving in a new direction, allow yourself the ability to explore it.

Get To Know Your Immediate Team Members

You will want to develop strong relationships with your co-workers. Getting to know the people that you work with will help you fit in with your team while also helping you establish a positive rapport. To earn the respect of your boss and co-workers, make sure to avoid engaging in office gossip. If you need to vent about something annoying, you should talk to someone outside of the workplace.

Expand Your Existing Skill Set

Your first job is your opportunity to challenge yourself by learning skills that are outside your comfort zone. Hone in on all the things that you want to learn that will make you a more valuable employee. Your company may provide educational training or certification courses, so take advantage of those offerings. Volunteer yourself for interesting projects, join company committees that align with your interests and offer you the opportunity to utilize your networking skills.

Find The Right Mentor For You

Having a career coach like me to help you formulate ideas and learn new strategies on a regular basis can be really beneficial. Instead of asking any person who holds a different title if they will be your mentor, you can choose someone at your current company who has achieved the kind of career that you want in your life. Start with a small goal.

Study The Company Hierarchy

Find out who makes decisions at your company and compare it with the organizational chart. People in the finance department most likely have more influence than you expected. Once you have identified who the key decision-makers are, focus on building relationships with those particular people.

Create A Catalog of Accomplishments

Make sure to keep a list of your work achievements. A compliments file that you can present to your boss before performance reviews and to employers when you have job interviews. Make sure you update your resume on an ongoing basis so that it reflects your most recent career wins.

If you are a college student you might be wondering when is the best time to apply for summer jobs? Whether you are hoping to land an exclusive internship in order to gain professional experience, these summer jobs can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months so it is better to start the process sooner rather than later.

April 

• Determine the relevant type of job that you are looking for by developing a relevant list of criteria including;
• Where you want to get a job,
• How much money you would like to make,
• Key skills needed for the job or industry,
• Areas of interest and / or organizations to explore.
• Assessing your current skill set by yourself or with a career counselor in order to determine which key skills an employer might require.
• Develop a basic resume and cover letter. Make sure to update your LinkedIn profile as well.
• Begin looking for specific job opportunities;
• Job fairs or college career fairs on campus,
• Friends, family members, relatives, professors and others who can direct you toward job possibilities,
• City-specific resources.

• Start applying and following the employer directions.
• Ask teachers, previous coworkers and supervisors who know you if they can serve as references. Have each individual write you a one-page letter of recommendation that you can give to prospective employers.
• Follow up with companies that you have applied to. Make sure your materials have been received and that each company has everything they need to consider you for the position.
• Schedule interviews with companies of interest as appropriate.
• Start researching available housing options for summer if necessary.

May

• Practice answering job interview related questions with a friend or career counselor at your school. Make sure to research companies and jobs before you go on any interview.
• Finalize summer living arrangements.
• Schedule job interviews in a timely manner.
• Go on job interviews and follow up with thank-you notes afterwards.

June

• Show up for your first day on time and be prepared for anything!
• Communicate with your new supervisor about the skills that you would like to further acquire and develop.
• Go above and beyond to make a good, lasting impression on your supervisor and colleagues.