Interview rejection - worth asking for feedback?

FunkyT · 17 Jul 2006 at 12:21

I recently made it to the final 3 of a multiple state selection process. They bombed me off after the final stage "informal chat" (actually 3 people quizzing me and taking notes).

Apparently the person they selected was a "better fit" and would "complement the culture of the organisation better".

Is it worth asking for feedback (they've offered to give it to me)? It's strange how people perceive you/you perceive yourself...

Syngress · 17 Jul 2006 at 12:23

Would be good to get if you can, will give you a better understanding of anything you may have done wrong, but if its just down to the they think the other guy will fit in better, there isnt really anything you can do about it.

MarkyMark · 17 Jul 2006 at 12:35

You've got nothing to lose now by asking, just something to gain

Ask them and see what they say. The worst they can say is "no" and thats highly unlikely since they offered it to you anyway.

crashuk · 17 Jul 2006 at 12:52

you have to seen what race where the 3 made up off, how they spoke, and did you look like them.

kitten_caboodle · 17 Jul 2006 at 12:55

yes. It shows willingness to improve and can only help you in the future.

People who ask why they didn't get jobs improve on their interview technique and get them the next time round

Quantic · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:14

crashuk said:
you have to seen what race where the 3 made up off, how they spoke, and did you look like them.

So the interviewing panel were racist?

fatmas · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:19

What difference should Race make? They hired the applicant based on their skills and how they fit into the company... I'd ask for feedback, then you know how to improve and get the job next time!

Welshy · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:20

Quantic said:
So the interviewing panel were racist?

cant say id be that surprised

FunkyT · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:31

Quantic said:
So the interviewing panel were racist?

I didn't say or imply that. Evidently the successful candidate was a better "fit" (or that was how they were perceived).

MATTeL · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:39

Always ask for feedback from an interview that might have been unsuccessful.

My fiancee got turned down for a job at the second interview and was crushed. I got her to ask for feedback from it and she was told she was well liked in the interview bt they went with someone with a personal recommendation adn with slightly more experiance.

Three weeks later they asked her to come in for a chat and offered her the job after they had sacked the girl they originally hired.

One of the reasons they claimed to have helped call her back was the fact she asked for feedback!

gambitt · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:45

It has been known for employers to have certain quotas for the types of people they employ, so they don't end up hiring all men or all white people for example. Political correctness in the workplace.

FunkyT · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:45

MATTeL said:
Always ask for feedback from an interview that might have been unsuccessful.

My fiancee got turned down for a job at the second interview and was crushed. I got her to ask for feedback from it and she was told she was well liked in the interview bt they went with someone with a personal recommendation adn with slightly more experiance.

Three weeks later they asked her to come in for a chat and offered her the job after they had sacked the girl they originally hired.

One of the reasons they claimed to have helped call her back was the fact she asked for feedback!

Thanks for the helpful, constructive reply.

I can see the logic in that but wouldn't you always be thinking "I'm 2nd choice"?

FunkyT · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:48

gambitt said:
It has been known for employers to have certain quotas for the types of people they employ, so they don't end up hiring all men or all white people for example. Political correctness in the workplace.

Surely they'd know the sex/ethnicity of a person at or before the 1st interview?

I was a little cheesed off to be called back for an "informal chat" only to be grilled by three interviewers

Beren · 17 Jul 2006 at 13:56

Got to say I feel for you, a panel interview and an informal chat are just a touch different!

Would always ask for feedback, if there is anything you can improve from you need to learn what they are. If you went through an agency they should be getting it for you, if you went yourself I would call and ask if for your development if there was anything you could improve upon... Just be careful not to be aggresive with it.

"Fit" is normally about how transferable your skills and personality are to the company. It could be that the three people just got on better for whatever reason with the other person so could see themselves working with them. Not a lot you can do about that sometimes.

kitten_caboodle · 17 Jul 2006 at 14:57

FunkyT said:
Thanks for the helpful, constructive reply.

I can see the logic in that but wouldn't you always be thinking "I'm 2nd choice"?

not at all. You say 'they made a mistake the first time'

And you prove it.

Sometimes it's not how you get the opportunities that matter, it's what you do with them when you get them. So what if they chose someone else first? They've now realised their mistake.

The fact is that if people don't always appreciate you straight away, it does't mean you're not good enough. It just means they didn't see it immediately, that's all.

And 'better fit' means a better fit for the company. Nothing more sinister than that.

FunkyT · 17 Jul 2006 at 15:46

Thanks dude. I'm just waiting for the geezer to ring me back - no doubt he thinks I'm a right ****.

triggerthat · 17 Jul 2006 at 15:58

Just go up to them and say, did my bum look too big in this?

FunkyT · 17 Jul 2006 at 15:58

triggerthat said:
Just go up to them and say, did my bum look too big in this?

Mister_Pister · 17 Jul 2006 at 16:51

always ask for feedback! Its how I got my job

Originally 3/4 interviewers said yes to me and then after I had asked for the feedback they realised how great I actually was and gave me it

FunkyT · 17 Jul 2006 at 16:53

Mister_Pister said:
always ask for feedback! Its how I got my job Originally 3/4 interviewers said yes to me and then after I had asked for the feedback they realised how great I actually was and gave me it

I don't understand you dude :confused: