Feedback during the job search process

If you have been unsuccessful with a job application, it’s a good idea to seek feedback. You could ask for feedback about the application you submitted, your performance in your job interview, or another part of the hiring process.

Task: Read this article to learn how to ask for constructive feedback that can help you secure a job.

Feedback can give you an idea of what to do again in your next job application or what you need to change. It can be daunting to approach someone for feedback, but done in the right way, it can help you succeed in securing a job.

Here are our tips on how to approach an employer for feedback:

Be timely

Ask for feedback as soon as you know you were unsuccessful in getting a job. Shortly after the interview is the best time to ask. The sooner you ask the better, since it will be easier for an interviewer to remember how you performed in the interview.

Be specific

Don’t just ask how your application or interview was. Ask a specific question. If you ask a general question, there is a chance that the answer given is vague or not very helpful. Asking the right questions can lead to better answers.

Try asking questions like:

• “How well did I present myself during the interview? Are there areas I can improve on?”
• “Did you find my examples appropriate and relevant to the questions asked?”
• “Are there any skills I need to develop further?”

Be polite

Being polite when you are seeking feedback shows you are committed to learning and improving. An employer might also consider you for other roles, so it doesn’t hurt to leave a good impression.

Great ways of being polite are to:

Be respectful and not demanding of an answer, because hiring managers sometimes don’t get back to you.

Actively listen to their feedback – it’s not the time to try to change their mind when the decision has already been made.

Say thank you for the time they have taken to give you feedback.

Choose the right person

If you want feedback about a job interview, ask the interviewer about this. They will be the best person to ask since they were the one who interviewed you and they know how you performed in your interview. If you don’t have the details of the interviewer, then ask the hiring manager or contact person you have with the organisation.

If you want feedback about an unsuccessful job application, you could ask a close friend or someone with knowledge in the industry. A fresh set of eyes can help you spot mistakes and even give a different perspective on what impression your cover letter and résumé/CV might begiving a potential employer.

Be positive

Remember that seeking and considering feedback will help you. By being positive, you will become more receptive to the feedback and motivated to act on it. An unsuccessful application can be discouraging, but you may find you only need to make a small change to your application, fine-tune the way you present yourself, or do a little more practice for interviews to achieve success when you apply for jobs in the future.