Question about job searching...

[elfs]

I sent a thank-you note to one group with which I interviewed, and they sent back a note saying sorry, they've filled the position they wanted with someone else. Which was very disappointing, as that was the startup I really wanted to work with.

I sent back a response thanking the HR person for telling me, and added, "Could you tell me what, if anything, led you away from me as a candidate?"

Is that appropriate? Have I burned a bridge?

Comments

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

I don't think it is inappropriate to ask for feedback, no. AFter all, businesses do it with their customers to the point of badgering.

[skittenwench.livejournal.com]

I agree- but don't expect to get any feedback- I've asked before & never ghotten any- I'm not sue why but I think it' much harder to tell pl *why* they didn't fit instead of hiring them *lol*

[maellenkleth]

It's certainly appropriate to ask for feedback; they are unlikely to give it, though, since the normal characteristic of HR people is to be intensely risk-averse to anything that might get them sued. (Even if the odds are astronomically low).

[solarbird]

No, not at all - not included with the thanks, at least. As long as it's "what can I do to improve myself" and not accusatory or otherwise crazy, then you're good.

[stephaniesmom.livejournal.com]

I know in the "Big Box" corporate world, we're not allowed to respond to those questions. In the private sector, I have no idea how it's done. I've had a number of people I've really wanted to hire, but they just didn't meet the one little thing we needed, whatever it was at the time, or else someone else met it just that tiny bit better. or, the Head Mangler had a Bug up her Arse, and hired her favorite, with no regard for ability, then had no proper justification.

[codeamazon.livejournal.com]

If you expressed it in terms of "I liked what I saw of your organization and was wondering whether there was some specific area that I was not considered a good match, or whether there was simply a more qualified candidate. I am interested in applying for future positions if the latter."

[codeamazon.livejournal.com]

er.."if you ... then I think that's fine."

If you just ask for feedback, you're putting (potentially unpleasant) work on someone's plate without any clear purpose on their side.

[elfs.livejournal.com]

They did actually get back to me. Apparently the sticking point was that, although they wanted a Javascript developer mostly, they apparently decided to go with someone with more Rails than Django, as their guru is a Rails guy. That was it.

[maellenkleth]

Ah, fair answer, that.

Elane
(who just got let down gently by a hoped-for employer)

[lovingboth]

No, I'd say it was fine to ask, but don't expect anything useful back from most places. They tend to be too scared you'll sue them if they tell the truth. Sometimes they're right to be.

The smaller it is, the more chance you have of getting something sensible, I expect.

[sirfox.livejournal.com]

I'd also echo the "it's a good idea, even if you don't expect much back" comments.

Additionally, in case their #1 pick falls through (it happens) it may cast you in a positive light of being open to criticism and willing to work towards improvement which could put you in their "next best pick" slot.

[elgatocurioso.livejournal.com]

Absolutely not- it's very good. I've done it before and received great feedback.

Also, if the feedback is generally positive, and it was because they just happened to find someone with a better fit for the exact position, you can follow up with their HR person every month or two to let them know you're still interested in them. If you do so, hopefully when a position with a better fit comes alone they will immediately think of you!

[lynx212.livejournal.com]

I wish I had some advice from experience to give on this one. I have considered asking that after a rejection letter myself but have hesitated to do so for fear of crossing that line.

As a person who formerly had some say so on who got hired/fired I would not have been offended by such a statement/request...sorry I couldn't be more helpful *hugs you*

Re: Question About Job Searching

[andreloire.livejournal.com]

I know of two good reasons for asking politely for feedback if you receive a "we didn't select you."

First, like you experienced -- you find out what the difference that made a difference to them was and you can consider whether it warrants attention to close a gap in your background (or accentuate it...).

Second, whether they respond or not, you find out something more about their nature as a possible future employer.

Best wishes on your continuing search. When I had a similar experience it seemed daunting and ended up fantastically. I wish you the same opportuinty to grow and end up in a better place.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_candide_/]

I actually jumped through one company's application-process-hoops in a failed attempt at getting an answer to a simple question: What areas of expertise should I build to better fit their needs?

I never did get an answer.

96 Great Inverview Questions

[(Anonymous)]

A book worth reading when you're hunting for work is "96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire" (Second Edition) by Paul Falcone. Chances are that you're interviewer has already read it and it's a great security blanket to have when you feel you now have the other side's play book.

Then you'll know what to say when asked: "Tell me about yourself?"

--DB_Story

One Other Thing

[(Anonymous)]

One other thing that can definitely hurt you, if you apply for work professionally under the same name that you write under here (EMS) your online life can definitely come back to haunt you. Expect any employer, in addition to the background check and drug scan, to do at least a minimum Google on your name. Since your writing name is unique they'll hit all of this real quick and while you'd think such wonderful (and it is wonderful) creativity should be a huge positive in the programming arena, actually it scares the straights.

The thank you note is always a good idea, and you were fortunate to get a reply that might have even been true. Had it been me, I might have taken a different tact in it because you can really only fire this arrow once and have asked what skills you could brush up on in hopes of future employment possibilities with this employer that you liked so much. That might have given you more useful information, but I wouldn't suggest going back to bug them about that now. You pretty much get one question, and you've used yours.

--DB_Story