Rejected After a Job Interview Follow These 8 Suggestions to Ask for Feedback

Any form of rejection is heartbreaking, more so if it’s for a job you have been eyeing for some time and have been working hard to get into. It can sting and dampen your morale, especially if you have no clue why the result of your application turned out this way. Did you miss out on a requirement? Did you ruin your job interview by coming in unprepared or saying too much about your personal life? Before you continue guessing, why don’t you take on a more proactive stance and learn how to ask for feedback after a job application rejection?

There’s nothing like a setback to motivate and inspire you to work on a better version of yourself. That’s why the best response to a rejection? Turn it to your advantage. Have you ever asked yourself, “Why am I not getting hired after interviews?” or “What am I doing wrong in my application process that I am being turned down?” Instead of sulking or overthinking, or worse, becoming unambitious, get to the bottom of things, find out how the decision—rejection—was made, and learn why.

Learn how to ask for feedback after a job application rejection

The wisest course of action is to make a job rejection follow-up and reach out to the company to ask for feedback. No matter how nerve-wracking this task may seem, it will be beneficial to your career. By learning how to ask for feedback after that job application rejection, you get to identify your weak spots, work on them, and present a better you for your next job application.

From here, you will learn if there was something amiss with your interview skills, your resume and portfolio, or even your body language. Or you might even learn that you were overqualified for the position or the company just decided that you were a better fit for another role. Without that feedback, you will just continue second-guessing and miss out on the chance to improve.

Knowing how to ask for feedback after a job application rejection is a move forward towards achieving your career goals. Here are eight suggestions to help you get over those nerves and finally reach out. 

1. Compose yourself and keep calm

It is only natural to be awash with extreme emotions once the news of your rejection reaches you. You will feel sad, angry, frustrated, confused, or a mix of all that at once. But remember that you shouldn’t make important decisions based on what you are feeling. Instead, take time to breathe and step back to reflect. Compose yourself, including your thoughts, before finally drafting or plotting how to reach out. Keeping a positive mood and mindset will help you see the situation in a more positive light. Plus, with this disposition, you would easily be able to accept and analyse the feedback given to you.

2. Reach out at the right time 

There is a right time for everything, and that includes when you should ask for feedback after a rejection. There are instances in the job application process that do not have a definite time frame. For example, if you ask, how long after the interview do you get rejected? Not one hirer can provide a specific number of days. It could be from as short as a couple of hours or to as long as three weeks. 

But when it comes to asking for feedback, you have to do it within a specific time frame. This is so your profile is still fresh in the mind of the hirer and that you can still leave a good lasting impression on your name. If the rejection was done through a call, ask then and there right before putting down your phone. If it was sent via email, you have to reach out within 48 hours, and again, this is best done via a phone call, if possible. Doing so via email may mean extra work for the hirer and he might eventually brush off the request for feedback for some other time. 

3. Speak with the right person 

Ready to reach out but not quite sure who to reach out to? It is suggested to continue correspondence with the one person handling your application. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the hiring manager or the department head, but one who helped you settle your requirements and schedule your interviews. This individual could be an HR officer or even a third-party headhunter. Since they were part of the process from the beginning, they could give you feedback on the steps you might have faltered in. They can also gather feedback from all your interviewers and provide you with enough ideas on how to make improvements.

4. Mind your manners

Social media was abuzz in the middle of 2021 when screenshots of a conversation between a Malaysian fresh grad job applicant and a recruiter went around. The applicant made impolite remarks, asking what the company can offer him instead of sharing what he can bring to the table, and was eventually rejected for his rudeness.   

This is a good example of how the slightest ill manners can put off your job application, and in the same way, any form of rudeness when asking for feedback can only backfire on you. Instead of taking on an arrogant and lofty stance, enter the conversation with gratitude and humility. Thank the hirer and the company for taking the time to know you and consider you for the position. You should even thank them for actually getting back to you and informing you of their decision. Also, acknowledge the amount of time that’s been allotted to you, from perusing your resume to scheduling your interview. Exhibiting the proper manners will get you far and ahead.

5. Show your disappointment but in a positive way

Is there such a thing? Is it possible to show positivity despite feeling disappointed? This is when your tone and choice of words come in. You want your words to convey respect and hope for a better future. Showing sincerity will make the hirer realize that you are genuinely interested to improve. You can always say that you are disappointed by the outcome but counter this immediately with a positive statement. “I feel disappointed with the result of my job application as I was very excited to join you and further my career in this company.”   

Keep the conversation professional, just as you were at the start of the application and during your interview. Avoid sounding bitter, judgemental, or embarrassed. Your tone should carry some amount of optimism. Here’s something you can also say: “Thank you for informing me of the result, despite it being contrary to what I was expecting. I am still grateful for the time and opportunity. As a last request, may you please share any feedback that can help in my future job applications?”

6. Manage your time and keep it short

Don’t keep the person you are talking with away from his tasks for too long. As much as possible, the conversation, and the feedback, should be crisp, clear, and concise. The one question you are asking is “Do you have any feedback so I can improve on my weak spots for future applications?” Be straightforward. Sure, you can ask additional follow-up questions but remember that the hirer has no responsibility to continue expounding. This also shows that you respect their time, authority, and the decision they made.      

7. Ask for specific feedback 

This is why it’s important to listen throughout your conversation. It’s easy to space out at some points especially if the rejection consumes your thoughts. But make sure you are attentive to every detail the hirer tells you. This will be crucial when asking follow-up questions and directing the conversation towards getting more specific feedback. When they say, “Your interview answers could have been better.” You can ask, “Were my examples not clear enough?” or “Did my being nervous alter the flow of my thoughts?” But do not beg for details. If something is unclear, clarify that with the hirer but also recall and examine the details yourself. The hirer will tell you what they can and you should respect them if they are not open to divulging more details from your application.  

8. Do not beg and plead to change their mind 

Sounding desperate will only put off the hirer and the company. You are asking for feedback so you can move forward and prepare a new plan for your next application. You are not asking for feedback so you can defend your previous words and actions and try to reverse their decision. Take in mind also that the rejection was most likely a collective decision, so the hirer you are speaking with is not the only person who has the final say. Do not beg. Do not argue. Finally, do not burn bridges. 

End the conversation in the same way you started it—showcasing gratitude, humility, and professionalism. It’s always good to leave an untainted mark so you can be remembered as a good potential candidate for future openings. You can even say, “If ever a position opens up and you find me a good fit, please do not hesitate to reach out. I appreciate the feedback and trust that I will work on these to improve myself.”

Learning how to ask for feedback after a job application rejection is a good way to move forward. Take the feedback as a guide towards the right path you should take to achieve your career goals. Companies like to hire persons who show a willingness to learn and improve despite some temporary setbacks. Be that person and stay motivated.  

Make sure to update your JobStreet profile to showcase your strengths and experience. You can always check out #JobsThatMatter on the website and via the app. Don’t skip the Career Resources page for more helpful career advice.