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Katlynn Batcher

11/10/20 at 4:01AM UTC

Career

Interview Feedback

I have been looking for a job for 3 years now and have been struggling to get interviews (I’ve had 2 in the last 3 years). My friend ended up recommending me for a job about 6 weeks ago. The interview went well, the recruiter told me ‘your interview was almost perfect.’ The hiring manager also told me that I would move to the final step of the interview process unless the next interview (with a potential peer) ‘gave a dramatically different impression of me’ After the interview with the peer, which I felt went well, 3 weeks went by and I got an automated email on a Saturday at 3am saying I didn’t get the job. I requested feedback because I was very confused that I was not moved forward in the process. It has been over a week since I sent this email and I haven’t heard anything. How long should I wait before requesting feedback again? Any advice on how to get more interviews without a personal recommendation from a current employee?

31 Comments

Anonymous

11/10/20 at 4:09AM UTC

I would try to reach out via linked in to folks that work in the companies/roles you are targeting, even if you don't know them personally. As for feedback, companies won't give you any because they are afraid of being sued, they are covering their a$$e$.

1 Reply

Katlynn Batcher

11/11/20 at 4PM UTC

I have reached out a bit to the companies I am targeting, but I will definitely do more of this.

Anonymous

11/10/20 at 9:26PM UTC

I think that, unfortunately, if they have decided to not share feedback about your interview by this point, they aren't going to. What a letdown to be referred and go through the process without much to go off! Sorry that happened to you. I would give my resume to 3-4 friends who I trust and know my work, and ask if it showcases my talent and accomplishments. Recruiting agencies are another option--signing up with one that can do some of the job hunting for you. Making sure your LinkedIn is very built out, then reaching out to individuals with similar interests and skills is great advice, too.

Ariella Goldman

Magic is just statistics I don't yet understand

11/10/20 at 10:46PM UTC

I find it's extremely common to not get feedback from companies after interviews. At best, in my experience, companies might say "it's not a match".

1 Reply

Caroline Platt

303

11/12/20 at 5:47PM UTC

Or we moved in another direction!

Anonymous

11/10/20 at 11:15PM UTC

Since you are struggling to get interviews, it may be time to revisit your strategy and fundamental documents (resume, LinkedIn, cover letters, marketing plan, thank you notes) with a career coach.

sandmanstone

125

11/11/20 at 1:35AM UTC

A practical thought - what did your friend say? They might be able to uncover some insight from their connections inside the company. A second insight for you - I checked out your LI profile. If you are considering refreshing it, I'd remove jobs prior to 2011, consider restructuring your text to either be full sentences or bullets consistently, shorten your 'About' section, and add results to your most recent position. While you have the MBA (Great!) your profile still reads 'recent grad'. You can make some adjustments and it will be more effective. Last practical advice - when you get your next interview, consider practicing your answers to questions out loud (and possibly even with a mentor) and see if your the mentor hear anything you want to refine. (I do this every time, and at times I hear something I say that is really strong and I jot it down so I remember, and other times I hear something that sounds negative or not strong, and I can adjust before the real interview. ) Keep going, pulling for you!

1 Reply

Katlynn Batcher

11/11/20 at 4:13PM UTC

My friend is just as confused as I am. She has not been able to find out much information, but it continuing to do some investigation. Thank you for checking out my profile. I appreciate the feedback and will make those changes. Hopefully they will make a difference in my search!

1 Reply

Keisha Jones

127

11/16/20 at 12:32AM UTC

It seems to me that the company does not want to keep your friend in the loop for a reason. Also, your friend may not be on the company's "need to know" listwithin the company.

Natalia

370

Motivating You Forward

11/11/20 at 7:15AM UTC

Hi Katlynn, Regarding getting more interviews, I would say it's 2 things: 1. Revising the resume & customizing it to the job you're applying for. You may have heard this but it truly does make a difference. 2. Making sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date, showcases all your experience & optimizing it. As someone who has been applying to jobs recently I'll tell you from experience recruiters & hiring managers from the jobs I applied to looked at my LinkedIn profile. One of them ended up contacting me for an interview, and the other I'm hoping contacts me soon. If you would like help in this area, I do offer career services as well. You can see more at www.visionary-catalyst.com or feel free to email me at [email protected]

1 Reply

Caroline Platt

303

11/12/20 at 5:55PM UTC

I have tried customizing my resume for nearly 100 jobs and spent hours writing a killer cover letter explaining what I can offer the company (generally linked to the job description exactly) and then another hour filling in a maze of questions that have nothing to do with the job. And often I don’t get so much as a peep. Even when I do land and interview, with 2nd & 3rd rounds, thank you notes, follow up, calls from hR to let them know if I get another offer, etc things go radio silent. In one case they eliminated the position. That’s an easy follow up email or call to make. I get that it’s really hard to call or email that someone else was selected, but I’ve always done that, too. It is not fun, but I believe it’s humane.

1 Reply

Natalia

370

Motivating You Forward

11/13/20 at 11PM UTC

Hi Caroline, It definitely can be frustrating when not hearing back or when they say "you're no longer being considered". Based on what you shared I'd say it could be a few things 1. being more strategic and selective with your job search 2. put more time and effort into the resume and researching the company vs cover letters unless required. And of course is it a right fit for both YOU and the company. Definitely, does help if they do provide feedback after the interviews, however I think body language and what they say in an interview to you, you can at times see why they went with another candidate. If you want to discuss any of this further I'm available for sessions, feel free to take a look at https://www.visionary-catalyst.com/ or email me at [email protected]

User edited comment on 11/13/20 at 11:01PM UTC

Soyoung Choi

Seasoned career woman with CS, IT and Stat

11/11/20 at 1:27PM UTC

It would be many things. IF they do not give you a feedback, there are very little thing for you to do. I would ask your linked friend to reach out to find out what was not really clicked. Truthfully, it would be you are overqualified and did not meet the team's need. I would ask your friends and peers to review your resume and answers you made to see if any of them might have sounded a little more than the job required. Good luck!

Anonymous

11/11/20 at 1:30PM UTC

Hi there! Agree with all of the above---what I'll offer is that if you have a list of questions that you were asked you may want to have a friend "mock" interview you and video record you while you answer. Do you share complete thoughts in a compelling way? What is your posturing? Eye contact? Not sure how many roles you're applying to ---consider the number and realize there are so many resumes sent for a single role. The advice shared from others above will help you.

User edited comment on 11/11/20 at 1:32PM UTC

Hilary McKeon

People Experience Manager in Cleveland

11/11/20 at 2:18PM UTC

Similar to what Natalia said, customizing your resume and cover letter make a huge difference. Make your cover letter about the company and why you're a good fit for not just the position, but also why you're a great addition the company. Mention the company purpose and why it resonated with you. Mention how you embody the company's core values. You can explain why you're a great fit for the position, but don't review your experience - they will see that in your resume. As far as feedback, I don't think it's too soon to follow-up. If you don't hear anything again, it might be worth reaching out to the people you interviewed with via LinkedIn or even email. It could say something along the lines of "Thanks for your time. Even though I'm not a fit for you open position, I really enjoyed getting to know you and the company, and would love to stay in touch. If you have any feedback for me from our interview, I'd love to hear it so I can improve for future interviews. Thanks again, and best of luck." Good luck to you in your search!

2 Replies

Natalia

370

Motivating You Forward

11/13/20 at 11:04PM UTC

Yes, and love what you said about feedback and how to approach it!

Nancy Valaske

11/16/20 at 3:26AM UTC

I think it's fine to reach out via LinkedIn, however some companies have policies about not providing feedback to candidates who were not hired. I have worked for such companies in the past and it is unfortunate that fear of law suits keeps people from being able to be constructive. I would just suggest to keep at it. I have been in situations where we have had to choose between more than one excellent candidate. In those cases the reason for the choice can be very insignificant, especially if more than one decision maker is involved.

Joann S. Lublin

I am a journalist and book author.

11/11/20 at 5:26PM UTC

I agree with prior commentators' suggestions. But in reaching out again for feedback, you might want to initially target the recruiter involved. And take a positive approach by saying you want to learn from this experience so you can present yourself better with another potential employer. As part of your latest feedback request, you might also inquire about a temporary consulting gig with this employer as a tryout for permanent work. In terms of getting your foot in the door elsewhere where you don't know a current employee, use LinkedIn to find recently departed staffers who you know -- and left on good enough terms that their recommendation would get you noticed. Best of luck!

Joanne Rosen

141

Resume Writer Extraordinaire!

11/13/20 at 10:52PM UTC

Because a simple slip of the tongue can be the cause of a lawsuit these days, very few people will give feedback. To get it, you need to ask specific questions. What could I do to improvee for next time? Can you tell me if there are other positions there that might be a better fit? Those are the types of questions they can answer. Cheers Joanne

Taylor Adams

T & D Manager, EQ Fanatic and Wellness Advocate

11/15/20 at 3:07PM UTC

The job search process can be so frustrating. While I completely understand your desire for feedback so that you can improve, honest feedback is hard to come by because HR departments can be heavy handed about what to say and what not to say. I’d suggest a couple of things to try: 1) Register with as many staffing agencies as possible. Each of them have their own contracts and client connections. Plus, they usually offer guidance on resumes and the interviewing process. 2) If you have friends in your desired industry, lean into them and see if they have possible connections for open opportunities. I know it can be frustrating to feel like you’re going to get a position and then not get it. Try to see it as though it happened for a reason, the reason may just not be clear yet. Wish you the best of luck!

Elyse Shermer

113

11/15/20 at 3:41PM UTC

Katlynn- first I understand and feel your frustration, as I am in a similar boat. Unemployed for a while , getting close to maybe getting hired and then nothing. I have learned that you can :1. Email them asking that you want to learn and state something like" you may have decided to go another way but wanted to know what I can do differently moving forward in my search". IFyou get a reply then maybe it's something to keep in mind moving forward. Unfortunately there are many a times it has nothing to do with you and either the company decided to " go a different direction" and not hire for that position right now. I interviewed with a company , met all the proper people everything was going well they only thing left was being offered the position, then radio silence. I have reached out to my contact there asking how things are going and found out they decided at the time to hire entry level help ( I am more senior) and shelve the position for now. ( all pre pandemic). My recommendation is unfortunately move on. Maybe email asking your questions but accept that you may not get an answer , especially now. Remember it may not ne you bit the company itself. Good luck!

Rebecca Lee V

2.11k

Credentialing Specialist

11/15/20 at 3:50PM UTC

If they haven't responded I would move on. I know it is frustrating. I'm not sure why you aren't getting interviews. Is your resume and linkedIn profile mirroring each other? have you spoken to a career coach? What field are you looking at is how competitive is that market?

Kimberly Olmo

117

11/15/20 at 4PM UTC

I once was told to take a whole day off for interviews with a company. Two people in, HR met with me, told me to go home and they weren’t interested. They said they would provide feedback and never did. I had gone through two prior phone psychological exams - which some companies do. I was frustrated to not have answers. I only tell this to show it’s common and frustrating. In your case, you have a friend inside so you may be able to get more information eventually. The other contributors gave great advice re: linked in, resume, and interview practice. I am rooting for you! Good luck!

Amy Randall Beltz

Customer Experience Evangelist

11/15/20 at 4:05PM UTC

What a frustrating situation! Regarding your question about getting more interviews: It can be really tough to feel like a personal connection is the only way “in” these days. With so many applicants for each role, those internal recommendations go a long way. If you haven’t yet done so, I’d recommend aggressively networking with people already in your network - old colleagues, friends from school, etc to say hello and see how they’re faring this year...and working into the conversation that you’re on the hunt. Being top of mind for people may turn up some opportunities with a personal connection as they have conversations with their colleagues or with family members and others in their networks. As you were a top candidate for the position you mentioned - you’re close to finding the right thing. Best of luck!

Elianet Oliva

241

Make things happen!

11/15/20 at 5:08PM UTC

Hi Katlynn, Not sure what exactly is your field, but have you looked at returnships? There are a few companies out there offering this kind of program for people with more than 2 years off of work. It is a great program, I looked into it when I was going through my search recently, but unfortunately didnt qualify. Off the top of my head two companies that do this are Tmobile and Wells Fargo. Look into those opportunities. Good Luck and keep believing in yourself, it will all come around.

Keisha Jones

127

11/16/20 at 12:13AM UTC

Hi Katlynn , If I were you , I would keep it moving, it seems like the company may have already had someone in mind that they wanted hire for that position But in order to be fair the company had to list the job. Also, your friend heard about the job opening and thought that you were a good fit for the job not realizing that a decision had already been made behind closed doors.

April

11/16/20 at 2:53AM UTC

This is a very difficult realization to come to when your search has been so dedicated, then you land an interview but not the job. As a member of FGB, I recommend this- do not call back for feedback.the more messages you leave, the more negative the memory of your interview. Recruiters jobs are not to give feedback but they are expected to fill job vacancies . They may not even know truthfully why you were not selected. Own your search. Don’t place the responsibility on the recruiter . I know it’s hard. I’ve had interviews where after seeing 6 people I was declined the next day. I know it’s hard. Trust that you need to get unstuck on getting feedback from the company. They will not return your calls - the risk of a discrimination claim is too high. Look for any of us who can mock interview with you, check your interview responses ... let’s get you unstuck.

User edited comment on 11/16/20 at 2:55AM UTC

Deborah Waddell

11/16/20 at 3:05PM UTC

It sounds like you aren't getting enough looks from employers. Remember it is like a sales persons funnel. Resumes sent>Views on Linked in>Contacts from views>Interviews>job offers. You want to have lots of good resumes going out to feed your pipeling. I was 61 the last time I looked for a job. I live in a rural area and was earning 6 figures as a multi unit Human Resources Manager at a fortune 50 company. This is not an ideal job seeking situation. I took a class on how to use Linked In. There are a lot of them out there and I am sure there are many good ones. The one I happened to use was at https://linkedintojobs.com/ Within a few months I found my dream job. The top HR spot at a smaller, but growing company. My income is now what it was and I am well matched for that company and can make a contribution to them that will continue after I retire. I now do most of my work remotely and that is perfect for me.

1 Reply

Katlynn Batcher

11/17/20 at 3:46AM UTC

This is great advise! I have been putting out a lot of resumes, but will definitely look into learning more about how to use LInkedIn to my advantage!

Emily Morgan

101

Accounting Specialist with a Consulting Degree

11/17/20 at 2:43PM UTC

This must have been so frustrating for you. Over the summer I was referred to a job by a friend. I did their 3 minute video about myself, was called in to interview just two days later, they walked me through what I would be doing in that position, had me listen in on some calls, do a computer competency...my friend and I thought it was in the bag! They emailed me only 3 HOURS later to tell me they had gone with someone else. It definitely made me think they had only interviewed me to appease my friend and that they already had someone else (probably an internal hire) for that role. I wish they would have just denied me the interview rather than bring me in for all that!

Anonymous

11/18/20 at 6:25PM UTC

When I read your story my biggest concern was the lack of contacts you have received in general. I would recommend you first do a review of your resume and ensure it is providing the following: - A clear outline of your strengths and accomplishments -Points supported by data, i.e. do not say, strong project management skills...Say- Lead a project on X to completion 2 weeks ahead of schedule with 10% cost savings - Should not be longer than 2 pages -Have someone review and ask them to provide 5 recommendations to improve- this lets them know you want honest feedback. - Lastly, ask a friend in your field if they have a peer who would do a mock interview with you and provide you feedback on how you come across, body language, and demeanor. I would not spend my energy on a role that has not been offered and given the litigious society we live in, its not likely to provide much valuable feedback anyways,.