I applied for and didn’t get a job in December.

24 Comments

1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 15,2023 at 7:00PM UTC

   Still waiting for feedback from a position you applied for in December?

   I would definitely let this go.

   I'm not sure why candidates think that feedback is so helpful or important. It's so completely subjective. One hiring manager may say they're not interested in moving you forward because of X. That X could be exactly why another hiring manager would want to move you forward.

   If you're looking for feedback, I would recommend you find someone to do mock interviews with.

   One thing I recommend to candidates is to tape themselves asking themselves questions and then answering them. I promise you, that answer will sound a whole lot better the 20th time you say it than the first.

   This will allow you to edit your answers to precisely get across what you want. Doing this can help improve your confidence if you get nervous or help you stay on point if you sometimes ramble.

2. AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 8:27PM UTC

   Perhaps it's just me with the perspective that she doesn't really want to comment. What does carpet replacement have to do with feedback? None.

   For feedback, maybe you could ask a friend or even better someone you know peripherally to provide feedback on your interviewing. There are a couple of hours a month where one can practive this at a local library or at job seeker centers, too.

3. AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 8:31PM UTC

   Since December -- I agree: let this one go and move on to other opportunities.

   After the interview and the thank you note I send, I usually assume I didn't get the job. Not because I'm negative, but because I have to look out for myself and keep my options open. If they do call me, GREAT! But if not, their loss.

   I'm not waiting two- three days (unless I see no equivalent opportunities) much less 5 months!

4. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 12:38AM UTC

   Move on. It was either a ghost job or it's way too late to make anything happen. Look forward, not back. You cannot change the past, but it can impact your future if you don't let it go.

5. G MicheleMay 16,2023 at 2:17AM UTC

   I'd close the chapter on this!

6. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 3:59AM UTC

   Geez...this makes you sound like a pest and makes you an unattractive candidate. Its old school and uncommon to ask for feedback regarding an interview. Couldn't you tell you were being brushed off with the "we're installing carpet" response? That was their way of telling you they weren't interested in giving you feedback. Here's a helpful tip: on your next interviews when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions say "Is there anything about my candidacy that gives you hesitation about hiring me." Most interviewees don't ask and the response will allow you to clarify or remediate issues.

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 16,2023 at 4:45AM UTC

   Here's a helpful tip regarding a recent LinkedIn discussion of that question you mentioned:

   The author polled polled about 2300 hiring managers in various industries, locations and various levels of management - though all corporate. 93% indicated it was a low value question for both sides. 18% said they actively disliked it. 4% indicated they are neutral and 2% said they found it valuable.

   https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7052694472320548864/

8. AnonymousJune 20,2023 at 9:15AM UTC

   Here are the reasons why the question is not a good one to ask, pulled directly from the link Joan shared:

   Here are the reasons this question is risky (video in comments if you prefer that medium)

   1. You put the interviewer on the spot and make them uncomfortable. They just met you, they need to absorb and synthesize.

   2. It’s shows lack of self-awareness. I know a manager who routinely responds with: “my concern is that you take job search advice from a TikTok- is there a different question you want to ask?”

   3. You are asking the interviewer to focus on your negatives as the last element of the interview.

   4. It’s intellectually lazy. This is your time to really dig in and understand the company and what they do and what the team is doing- and instead you want to continue to talk about you?

   5. If they have reservations, you are not going to be able to fix that on the spot. Ie if I was interviewing for an HRBP spot and admitted I have never used a performance management tool, that’s a big reservation. I’m not going to soothe that concern with a 1 min response about how I will take a class on performance management

   6. Hiring isn’t done in a vacuum- there’s usually a committee that needs to discuss together.

   7. It didn’t “work for you” unless you are the hiring manager, you don’t know what worked for you. And are you saying you didn’t get your job with your skills, experience or talent?

   8. “Ok but in sales…” No! Sales leaders also don’t like this question, do you really think that’s the only way to demonstrate your proficiency with closing?

   9. If you want to talk about how things are going- do it in the MIDDLE and say something more like “before we continue is there anything I can clarify or focus on? I want to ensure im giving you the right level of detail and specifics, so please let me know if you'd like more/less of something as we continue"

   This question is high risk/low reward. Nobody has gotten a job asking it, but I can assure you managers have dinged candidates for asking it.

9. Susan Heidi WolmanMay 16,2023 at 12:54PM UTC

   The job is gone. You won’t get feedback. The best you can do is write a thank you and ask if there are any openings that are coming up and would it be ok to count in her help?

10. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 1:37PM UTC

    I suggest that you move on. Feedback from interviews aside from an offer letter is virtually non-existent in all sectors.

11. AnonymousMay 16,2023 at 1:41PM UTC

    Move on- you are getting blown off. Your follow-up had enough gaps in time to not make you a pest, and/or seem desperate. The terseness of the 2nd e-mail was a "You're trying my/our patience get lost!" response. Kudos to you for the follow-up, but you need to apply your efforts to a firm where they're not being jerks. Good luck and keep the follow-up going.

12. Looking for a changeMay 17,2023 at 10:01AM UTC

    I agree with the other comments- it”s now May I’m surprised she didn’t just tell you the position has been filled. A follow up email after a day or 2 of an interview is fine to thank them for their time. After that move on. I disagree about asking if there’s any hesitancy in hiring you it makes the person think of all the negatives in your resume and puts them on the spot.

13. Brenda AlvaradoMay 17,2023 at 1:31PM UTC

    It is well past time to move on. Always remember, it is their loss. The next interview is the ONE!

14. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

    Seems to be the way of things - I was seriously ghosted by both JP Morgan Chase AND the New York Times back in January. I have another job at this point, but I was left mid process by both companies. I'm baffled.

15. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 17,2023 at 10:18PM UTC

    It could be because the recruiters were laid off.

16. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 3:34PM UTC

    I know the NYT recruiter is still there (I have a friend who works there, and she told me that this person is notorious for that behavior).

    Chase I was surprised about, honestly - I applied to one position and the recruiter put me in for three others, so she liked my resume enough to do that. I did my follow up post third interview, and that was it. I was hoping she'd at least respond, because the person interviewing me on the third interview was truly terrible, and I definitely wanted to let her know that.

    Ah well.

17. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 5:17PM UTC

    Move on. It's over. It's done. The majority of companies will not provide that kind of feedback because they can be accused of "things" that hold them legally liable. At this point, you're not showing your interest in the organization. You're coming off like a nuisance.

18. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 5:32PM UTC

    Let it go. Most companies will not give you feedback because they don't want to be sued. If you really just want it then reach out to the hiring manager directly. Let them know that you want feedback to learn from it if they can share where you fell short. Sometimes and especially in this market there is a glut of qualified candidates and the clock just stops at a point in time and they really cannot give you specifics as to why they chose that one person and no you. Move on to other things...5 months is a long time to still be worried about this.

19. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 7:48AM UTC

    After one week and no response I would have moved on, let alone 5 months. The time its taking you to hold onto this, you could be getting other jobs. Noone is obligated to give feedback for interviews. Too many candidates to have the time for this. You really have to move on.

20. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 1:06PM UTC

    Move on.

21. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 1:23PM UTC

    I feel like you have already made a negative impression. I would not contact them again and not expect to be considered for any other possible opportunities at this company.

22. surfnwriteMay 18,2023 at 3:16PM UTC

    I would leave that recruiter and use someone else. She seems very unprofessional.

23. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 4:10PM UTC

    You should’ve dropped it in January at the latest. While it would be nice to give, they don’t owe you feedback and 6 mo later probably don’t even remember you. Any memory of you now is negative from the constant outreach. Move on. Good luck.

24. Christi MillerMay 18,2023 at 5:18PM UTC

    I would drop it. I follow up once after the notice and then I move on. Good luck in your next posting.