How to Ask for Feedback After a Job Rejection

“There are no further steps for you.” That statement is often the last thing many candidates hear during the interview process. But actually, there is one more step for you: Knowing how to ask for feedback after a job rejection—and understanding why it's important to do so.

The first nugget of advice for getting that coveted feedback? Don’t start at the end of the process, says Gary Bender, Founder & CEO of The CFO Solution, a peer-to-peer networking and best practices repository for private company finance leaders. Bender says that laying the groundwork for powerful guidance begins with your behavior from the start. 

“Good cover letters, good resumes, and proper follow-up will lead to better behavior by the employer,” he promises. “Especially if you can establish expectations early in the interview process.” Not sure how to prompt a potential employer to give you valuable feedback? We have all the answers you need.

Is it a good idea to follow-up after a job rejection?

Yes, it's perfectly fine to ask for feedback after being turned down for a job. However, it's crucial to do so at the appropriate time and through the same communication channels the hiring manager used to reach out to you. 

• If you're rejected over the phone: you can ask for feedback right away

• If they left a voicemail: return the call within 24 hours during business hours

• If they sent you an email: respond within 24 hours.

While most recruiters won't mind providing some input, you should know that not every company has a culture of following up. In some situations, it may be explicitly stated in the job description or email communication that candidates shouldn't respond if rejected. In these rare instances, it's best not to ask for feedback.

5 tips on how to ask for feedback after a job rejection

During your interviews, you should always ask for the company’s next steps, their decision and their communications process. “When you promptly follow up with each interviewer, confirm your interest—or if there are open issues, bring them up,” Bender advises. (Here's the right way to follow up after an interview.)

Impeccable behavior and follow-up lay the groundwork, but you'll still have to actually request feedback if you expect to get it. Kyle Boze, a former recruiter turned teacher, suggests that you frame your inquiry as a quest for mentorship or guidance from the hiring manager. 

1. Show your appreciation 

Keep a professional and positive tone. Start by expressing your gratitude for them reaching out to you to inform their decision. (Unfortunately, recruiter ghosting is real, and you could've been left hanging, waiting for a response that was never going come.) A simple “Thank you for letting me know about your decision” goes a long way.

2. Briefly express your disappointment

It's OK to show your disappointment for not being hired—just make sure not to get overly emotional or turn your email into a rant. Briefly mention the feeling, then smoothly transition to expressing how you enjoyed the opportunity to get to know them and the company better.

3. Directly ask for feedback

Right after your kind introduction, go straight to the point—remember recruiters are busy people with dozens of emails to read everyday. When asking for feedback after a job rejection, ask straightforward questions, such as: 

• Would you be willing to offer some feedback on what I should improve moving forward?

• Could you suggest a few ways I could improve my performance in interviews?

• Is there something lacking in my experience or skills?

Just try not to ask too many questions. Pick one or two based on the rejection message or what you believe would be most helpful. For instance, if they went with a more experienced candidate, asking about your skills and experience could shed some light on what to work on next.

4. Emphasize your interest in learning and growing 

To support your questions, demonstrate your enthusiasm for professional development. This indicates that you're not challenging their decision but rather value their professional opinion and view this experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

5. Thank them for their time

To wrap up with the same positive tone you started with, finish by thanking them for their time and the opportunity. If you want, it's also OK to express your interest and availability for future open positions at the company.

How to ask for feedback after a rejection: Email example

If you've decided to address the matter via email—which is advisable if you've been communicating this way—here's an example of an email asking for feedback after rejection:

Dear Mariah

I want to thank you for taking the time to interview me and for informing me about your decision. While I'm disappointed not to be joining Company XYZ, I appreciated the opportunity to get to know more about your business.

Would you be willing to share any feedback on what I can improve moving forward? Is there something lacking in my skills? I would like to take this opportunity to grow as a professional and would appreciate any input you could provide.

Thank you again for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Clarice Douglas

Asking for feedback after rejection: Email template

Boze’s template, below, starts with gratitude, and follows up with respect, flattery, and shared empathy. Fill in the gaps as needed and adjust it for a more personalized message.

Dear [Recruiter's Name]

First, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to interview me for [title] position. While it's disappointing not to get the job, I appreciated the opportunity to get to know the company, and after hearing about the role, I believe it's one of the best out there.

I respect your decision to go in another direction and wish you the best in your search. If possible, would you mind sharing with me any feedback (good and bad) about [areas you want input].  

I would love feedback from an industry veteran like yourself and believe your guidance would be beneficial to me landing a position like this with another company.

Thank you again for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

[Your name]

How to ask for feedback after a job rejection over the phone?

If you're following up with a phone call, your request for feedback should start with the same key elements: a thank you for the follow-up, a brief expression of disappointment and your specific questions. The only difference is that you'll be speaking instead of writing. Here's an example:

Thank you for letting me know your decision, I completely understand and respect it. Would you mind giving me some feedback on what areas I could improve?

After hearing the recruiter's response, do a follow-up question if you need to clarify anything, but don't abuse their time. When they finish, end the call expressing your gratitude for their input and time. You can say something along the lines of:

This feedback was very helpful. Thank you again for taking the time to have this conversation with me, I really appreciate it. Please keep me in mind for future opportunities you think I'd be a good fit for.

What feedback can you expect from an interviewer?

“Feedback can be a positive catalyst for a debunked candidate and can be relatively risk-free for companies, if it focuses on things the person can change, such as resume typos, personal presentation, and experiential gaps,” says Hollis Gonerka Bart, principal of her eponymous law firm, and who has advised, counseled and represented international brands, family offices and private companies on best practices for identifying and hiring employees for 30 years. “These are all legitimate business reasons for deciding to take a pass on a candidate.”

What to do if they don't respond?

If the company is unwilling to provide feedback, it is important to remember that businesses do not have to justify a “no” decision. That said, there is an incentive for organizations to provide meaningful assistance: Bottom-line results.

“By treating candidates well, our reputation was stellar, which saves money on recruiting, improves the quality of hires, and increases retention,” Bender says. 

At the end of the day, it comes down to common courtesy—which says a lot about the hiring manager and company they work for. “I have a very simple mantra,” Boze says.  “If you took the time to research and apply to me, I should have the courtesy to acknowledge and reply. Email response takes less than one minute.”

Remember it's not personal

Whatever they tell you, it’s important to remember it's just one person's opinion! Take this feedback as constructive criticism, correct what you can, and consider paying it forward when it’s your turn.