Reach out! How to ask for feedback after an interview

Interviewing can be an exhausting process. Thinking about getting feedback afterward is probably the last thing you want to do, especially if the interview did not go well. However, receiving feedback is a very important part of the process because if you don’t get feedback, then you’ll never know how to get better. 

If you did well on an interview, then it is likely you will know because you got the job! On the flip side, if you didn’t do so well, then you may or may not hear back. It is always a good idea to get feedback, if possible, even if you didn’t get the job. Your interviewer(s) can give you a different perspective on your interview performance. Knowing what stood out to others (the good and the bad) can be very beneficial to you for future interviews.

In general, when requesting feedback after an interview, you should always be very polite and start out by thanking your interviewer. Explain the reason for your email or letter, and close by asking for specific feedback. You should send your letter within one business day of the notice of rejection.

In this article we’ll discuss the benefits of requesting feedback, how to ask for it, give you some tips, and provide some example emails to help you write your own.

• Why ask for feedback after an interview?

• How to ask for feedback.

• Tips on asking for feedback.

• Example emails.

Why should you request feedback after an interview?

No one wants to hear about how they failed an interview. It’s a humbling experience and can feel very negative. However, you should look at the feedback as constructive and an opportunity to improve yourself. Be positive about the learning experience and welcome their feedback. Receiving feedback directly from the people that interviewed you can provide valuable insights, both for your career and your interviewing skills. 

This feedback can help you to:

• Compare yourself to other candidates. You may have been asked about what sets you apart from others in the interview. While it’s a standard type of question, you may not have any idea what the other candidates are like. One advantage of after-interview feedback is that the interviewer may give you some insight into other candidates. This can be very helpful in future interviews for similar jobs.

• Boost future interview performance. Any insight you can gain from an interviewer will give you ideas on things to improve. It could be hard or soft skills, but the more you know about, the better.

• Gain insight into what the employer is looking for. Learning about what the hiring manager or hiring team wanted from a candidate is valuable information. It will aid you in filling the gaps in job descriptions to give you a better idea of where and how to apply for positions in the future.

• Expand your network. Sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know. Even if they don’t have any jobs for you, they might be able to point you in the right direction.

How to request feedback after an interview:

Most business communication is handled by email. So, it is completely acceptable to send your request via email. Let’s go through the standard things you need to include in your email.

• Thank the interviewer. Start off by thanking them for the opportunity, their time, and consideration. Being professional, polite, and courteous is always the best way to go. It sets a positive tone for the message.

• Express disappointment. It is okay to state you are disappointed with not getting the job. Be gracious and don’t dwell on it (no whining or defensiveness). One statement about this is all you need. Nothing more.

• Explain the reason for your message. A post-rejection follow-up is normal, but asking for feedback is not. Let them know you are seeking more opportunities and want to improve your chances. A clear rationale will make the recipient more likely to give you a substantive answer.

• Close by asking for feedback. Mention you’re looking for anything specific that they can tell you about your performance in the interview or the responses. Always keep your tone polite and not pushy.

• And thank them again. If you felt that you had good rapport with the interviewer, then you might want to mention a positive moment from your conversation. Make them feel like an expert whose opinion you value, and they’ll be more happy to help.

Tips on how to ask for feedback after an interview:

Getting feedback from a bad interview can be hit-or-miss. Don’t be discouraged if the interviewer does not respond. Below, we’ll give you some things that will help increase the chances of getting that valuable feedback.

• Email is the way to go (versus a phone call) because it’s on their schedule, and they can respond when they have time.

• Send your note within one day of the rejection. Don’t send it immediately when you get your rejection letter, this can make you look desperate or freaked out. And don’t write your email in a hurry, this can lead to mistakes in your tone or word choice. But don’t wait more than a day because it lowers your chances of getting a response.

• Don’t dispute or argue their decision. Be polite. Your objective is only to get feedback. They don’t owe you feedback, so be gracious about it.

• Be brief. You already know you didn’t get the job. Keep your message short and to the point. Don’t drag it out. It should be about half a page, at most.

• Write carefully and thoughtfully. Proofread. Your email must be professional and polished, and make sure your email is error-free. Consider having someone else check it over for you to make sure you have the right tone.

• If you don’t get a response within a week (five business days), then it is okay to follow-up. Email again. Your changes of getting a response are much lower at this point, but give it one more shot. After that, let it go.

Two email examples of asking for feedback after an interview:

Key takeaways 

1. Getting feedback allows you to improve your interview performance and address new opportunities.

2. Send your request for feedback within one business day after an interview.

3. Keep your message short, to the point, and professional.