Should I ask my interviewer why I wasnt selected for the job?

Question

Hi!

So I was interviewed for a job that I was very interested in at a company I was extremely interested in about 2 weeks ago.

Unfortunately I didn't get that position, however one of the 5 people who interviewed me reached out to connect with me on LinkedIn. Additionally, In my rejection email, I was told by HR to reach out directly to them if I saw something else I was interested in.

Flash forward 2 weeks, and I have taken another look at their careers page and saw something I feel I could be a fit for. I plan to reach out to HR to hopefully initiate the interview process, but...

My question to you all is:

Would it be appropriate to reach out to that Interviewer I have connected with on Linkedin to politely ask if she could share why I didn't get the position? It's nothing formal, just a linkedin message. I would really like to know, so I dont make the same mistakes with this new position I am applying to. I have let her know that if she chooses not to share, thats fine.

Is that appropriate? The information she could give me could be very valuable-- but please let me know your thoughts.


Thanks!

Answer 1

In general, it's not a bad idea to ask for feedback, although you often won't get any. But in this situation, I don't recommend it. If you think about what happened a few weeks ago, it sounds like they liked you, but didn't think you were the best match for the last job you applied for. Asking for feedback now -- why you didn't get the job -- makes them focus on negatives. i.e., why you didn't get it. Instead, keep them focused on positives. Reach out, remind them they invited you to apply again and take it from there. Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes. You need feedback so that you can improve (if necessary) on your answers, presentation, resume etc.



Ask them what you lacked for this particular job and if any training was needed then you can rectify that.



It is good to know the reasons for them not picking you otherwise if something is wrong it will be wrong for any other interview you go for.

Answer 3

As a headhunter, I dont see anything wrong in asking for a feedback. You just need to be polite and communicate your purpose very well.