You’ve just gotten through the final interview stage for the dream job you want and you look outside the window to see the Irish Summer has finally arrived…. life is looking good. Then either that day or a few days later you receive the dreaded phone call informing you
“You have been unsuccessful for this position”
With those few words your whole world falls apart. What do you do? You saw yourself starting in the job, prayed for it even and now nothing, you’re back to square one. However, you need to take something positive from the experience and I believe the one positive thing can come in the form of Constructive Feedback. All interviewee’s are entitled to feedback from any interview they attend, so it is in your best interest to go and get it!
1. Seek it out
Whether you applied through a recruitment agency or directly to an employer, follow up and ask for feedback from your interview. If you sent your CV directly to the company then the employer will certainly have points of constructive feedback for you. Similarly, a recruitment consultant will contact the employer and should be able to get an understanding as to why you have not been successful.
2. Be open to what is said…
Nobody likes hearing negative comments about themselves, but whatever is said will benefit you in future interviews. It is worth listening to them and taking everything on board. Remember, don’t take the comments too personally, it is strictly professional.
Example:
There was one time I was working with a professional who, unfortunately, had not been successful in an interview. I gave them the feedback but they didn’t take it very well. Instead they decided to go over my head, rang the hiring manager and became quite negative towards them on the phone. After that experience the hiring manager said they would never deal with that person again. This is not what you want to happen so remember to keep it professional.
3. Learn from it
Receiving feedback is only worthwhile if it is used going forward. Whether the feedback is that you are lacking confidence in selling your experience or alternatively, that you are overly cocky about your experience, prepare for your next interview with these comments in mind. If you embrace the constructive feedback each time you receive it, you are bound to improve your interview skills!
I have dealt with a number of people who took on board the constructive feedback after an interview and learned from it. 9 out of 10 times these people got the job at the very next interview.
4. Don’t Shoot the Messenger!
Whether it is a recruitment consultant or the employers HR Manager, be grateful to them for taking the time to relay the feedback to you. And remember, never argue with the messenger – the decision has already been made and becoming argumentative will not help your situation whatsoever.
All you have got to do is Listen, Embrace and Utilise the feedback!
Have you ever had any issues receiving constructive feedback??
