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Topic: Following up after a job rejection
| Author | Message |
| Unemployed-gal | Posted – 1/31/2008 12:25:27 PM | show profile I was recently turned down for a job, and my interviewer contacted me by e-mail to say they had gone with someone else. My question is, is it polite to call her back and ask what her reservations were about hiring me? Will I sound too pushy/needy/insecure/pissed off I didn't get the job/etc.? |
| mizzpub | Posted – 1/31/2008 12:41:46 PM | show profile I think in this time and day where it is so difficult to get a job its a good idea to ask her in a polite way what you could improve on or any suggestions she has that would make you a better candidate in the future. I would say thank you for your reply. I really appreciate the opportunity I had to interview with you for this position. Are there any suggestions you could offer up that would make me a better candidate for an editorial assistant (whatever position you applied for ) etc. |
| AWC | Posted – 1/31/2008 12:49:21 PM | show profile Truthfully, as someone who has interviewed a lot of people over the years, I would find it very strange if someone I ultimately didn't hire contacted me later asking all sorts of questions. I think I would find it a bit needy. However, it probably couldn't hurt to reply with a very brief email thanking the person for getting back to you in (hopefully) a timely manner. You could also say that you would appreciate it if they would keep you in mind for any openings in the future. |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 1/31/2008 2:14:35 PM | show profile I think you need to get over the idea that if you didn't get hired you did something wrong. Maybe the successful candidate was just better qualified so phoning and asking "What did I do wrong?" will indeed come across as needy and insecure. If you still want to work for the company, do as recommended above -- phone or email and say you would like to be considered for future opportunities and what would be the best way to keep your name in the hiring pot. Then, keep in touch. |
| Unemployed-gal | Posted – 2/1/2008 11:16:33 AM | show profile Thanks, everyone, for the imput. But my question to the last poster is, if I did something wrong in the interview, and don't know what it is, how else can I find out what happened but to ask my interviewer? I'm always looking for ways to improve my interviewing skills, so any advice from anyone is much appreciated. Thanks also to those who suggested that I keep my name in the company's hiring pot. Unfortuantely, the company is a small one and only employs about 8 people, so I don't think they'll be looking for any more assistants anytime soon. The rejection was especially disappointing for me this time around because it was something I was especially qualified for--I've had jobs in the past that were nearly identical to the one I interviewed for. |
| foodlit | Posted – 2/1/2008 11:32:44 AM | show profile Unemployed gal, If you were a finalist, then it's nothing that you 'did wrong'. They just liked someone else better. It's that simple. For whatever reason, the other person was a better fit, and that is just out of your control. When it comes down to final stages, it's often a matter of personality 'click' who they just connect with the best, and also what that person brings to the table, could be for instance that the other person had great design skills and that was an area in which the team was weak, so it gave her the edge. That's just an example, but my point is, it's nothing you did wrong, it's just who 'fits' best given the job and overall makeup of the team. You won't get anywhere by asking why. If you like the company, just thank them and ask them to keep you in mind. And congrats on getting that far, you were obviously a great candidate! Pam |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 2/1/2008 10:18:18 PM | show profile I have to agree with Foodlit. Try to look at it from the company's perspective. There's no benefit in it for them in telling you why exactly you didn't get the job. It's not what they do and sometimes people get nasty in these situations and -- worst case scenario -- the company could open itself up to a lawsuit. If you really think you could interview better, there are job coaches who can help with that type of thing. And do keep in touch with the company. Sometimes people take not getting the job too personally and get so upset about being "rejected" that they cut off a possible employer. Good luck. |
| Marie | Posted – 2/2/2008 1:34:24 AM | show profile Write back a cordial e-mail thanking the person blah, blah. Add one sentence, at most two, about what you liked about the publication or company, whichever fits your situation. Express your genuine interest in future opportunities (someone could die tomorrow there, so never right it off even if it's a small company). If you had a genuine feeling about the place, these kinds of letters write themselves. If you want, instead of couching in the negative and needy what did I do wrong mode, you can turn it around to "what could I work on to be considered for a position at another time." Who knows? They might say we think your copyediting skills could use some work, we're looking for someone with more of a design sense. Then you know what you need to work on if you want to work on. But I think a sincere, courteous letter thanking the people who interviewed you and expressing your enthusiasm for the company is enough and genuine interest in future opportunities is enough. |
| Marie | Posted – 2/2/2008 1:37:06 AM | show profile Speaking of copyediting skills, of course I meant "write" instead of "right" and there's a few other errors that I'm not going to bother to fix. I think Microsoft thinks it can guess what we mean and fills in what we didn't type. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it. |
