Didn’t get the job you applied for despite feeling you did well at the interview? We explain why it’s always important to ask for feedback from the employer.
Interviews can be nerve-racking, especially when you’re hoping to secure a job you really want. Despite thoroughly researching the company and preparing well for the interview, it’s natural to feel nervous on the day and hope you come across as the perfect candidate to the employer.
Once in the interview, you answer the questions asked clearly, provide great evidence of your skills, experience, and achievements, and demonstrate how you would be a valuable addition to the company.
You then wait in anticipation to hear whether you have secured the job, only to learn that on this occasion, they have chosen another candidate.
You’re naturally disappointed, and likely want to know how you could do better in the future, as well as any areas you need to develop.
That’s why at Anne Corder Recruitment we always provide feedback to candidates we have put forward for a role whether they are successful or not.
This feedback can be extremely beneficial for your career for a number of important reasons, listed below.
1. It makes clear what’s most important to the employer
The feedback you receive from an agency or the employer will make clear the skills and qualities that are most important to the company, over and above those listed in the job description.
These attributes could include practical ‘hard skills’ such as particular work related abilities such as technical or IT skills, as well as ‘soft skills’ that relate more to personal characteristics and qualities, such as being a good listener or communicator.
2. It highlights areas that you can improve
The interview feedback should ideally highlight areas that the employer felt you were strong in, as well as those that they felt you need to develop. These could include qualifications or certificates that would be beneficial to gain, through to presentation skills that they felt you could improve on.
Having this information will help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and take steps to improve the areas that you feel are most important. And whilst gaining a new qualification or certificate could take some time to achieve, telling potential employers that you are studying towards it will demonstrate to them that you’re serious about your career and understand what’s important to them.
3. It demonstrates to the employer that you want to learn and develop
Asking for interview feedback also demonstrates to the employer that you’re keen to learn and develop, which are traits that most companies look for. In particular, it shows them that you recognise that there are areas that you can improve on and are willing to take onboard constructive feedback.
This matters because although you weren’t successful in landing the job this time, they may come back to you in the future particularly if they feel you are the type of person who understands the importance of self-development and learning from others.
4. It demonstrates that you’re professional
Not every unsuccessful candidate asks for feedback from an employer but those that do are demonstrating that they are professional and value the company’s opinion despite not having been successful this time.
Employers value this professionalism and the fact that you are viewing the interview as a positive learning experience rather than being negative about it or about the company.
5. It helps you be better prepared next time or for other interviews
Ultimately asking for interview feedback enables you to be better prepared for any other interview you may have with the same company in the future or for other interviews you have with different companies.
You’ll know what areas to focus on, as well as those to address, and can explain what proactive steps you are taking (or have taken) to increase your skills, experience, or credentials.
This professional, positive, and practical approach will set you apart from other candidates who haven’t taken the trouble of asking for interview feedback in the past or learning from previous experiences.
Overall, it’s important to get feedback from employers, as it can give you valuable insight into where you need to improve your skills and where you have opportunities for growth.
Knowing exactly what employers are looking for can help you be successful in future job searches, allowing you to tailor your applications and stand out amongst other applicants.
And employers are always impressed by candidates who take a positive proactive approach to developing their skills and experience based on previous feedback.
