Many job seekers reach out to me confused as to why recruiters won’t provide feedback after rejecting them for a position. The frustration is understandable, especially if you spent considerable time applying for the role and navigating multiple rounds of interviews, only to be denied your dream job. In this article, I share when and how to ask for feedback after a job rejection, then dive into the top reasons recruiters don’t offer feedback.
When And How To Ask For Feedback After A Job Rejection: Email Example
For starters, if you haven’t specifically asked for feedback, consider doing so. While companies often won’t tell you why you weren’t selected for the role or the next stage in the interview process (keep reading to learn why), it can’t hurt to ask.
Your email requesting feedback about a job rejection can be as simple as:
Hi [Recruiter or Hiring Manager’s Name],
Thank you for your email. While I am disappointed by this news, I do appreciate you letting me know.
I would welcome any feedback you may have on my [application/interview].
May I also request that you please keep me in mind for other future job opportunities with [Company]?
Thank you again!
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Aim to send this email to the recruiter or hiring manager within 24 hours of receiving the rejection, as you want to keep the gate open for other opportunities that arise with the company. Additionally, don’t try to use this message to change their mind, as it won’t. If anything, trying to argue with their decision will keep you from being considered for future opportunities with the company.
If you happened to receive the rejection via a phone call, which is becoming less common these days, you can ask for feedback then. However, if this makes you nervous, which is the case for a lot of job seekers, you can compose and send an email after you get off the phone with the recruiter.
Finally, if you requested feedback, and the recruiter told you they are unable to provide it, please do not push them on this. Respect their ‘no.’
5 Reasons Recruiters Don’t Give Feedback After A Job Rejection
Now, let’s talk about why recruiters rarely give feedback after rejecting you for a job. While there are a multitude of reasons, here are five of the most common:
1. Full plates with limited capacity.
For starters, recruiters are often juggling dozens of open job requisitions at any time, which could mean they are speaking with at least five times that many candidates every week. When you do the math, talent acquisition professionals simply don’t have the time or bandwidth to provide feedback to every person they interview. Providing every candidate with feedback could easily turn into a second full-time job.
2. Legal risks to providing feedback.
Beyond the massive workloads often placed on recruiters and hiring managers, there are a plethora of legal implications surrounding the recruitment and hiring processes, and companies want to mitigate their risks where possible. Consequently, companies tend to tread lightly when providing applicants with feedback on their candidacy, as the potential benefits simply don’t outweigh the risk.
3. Few benefits to the company.
Speaking of which, profit-driven companies need to be thinking about their bottom line and considering which activities are revenue drivers and which are cost centers. While providing candidates with feedback could arguably bolster the candidate experience and make you more interested in reapplying to open roles in the future, it would be a costly endeavor and wouldn’t change the outcome of the immediate hiring process. Thus, few companies invest the substantial financial resources needed to provide candidates with appropriate feedback.
4. People struggle to receive feedback.
Along the same lines, many candidates struggle with receiving constructive feedback. While it can be difficult for anyone to hear criticism, it can be particularly jarring if you’re looking for a new job and trying to stay motivated. Because companies are also protective of their employer branding, which could quickly take a massive hit on social media if a disgruntled candidate didn’t like the feedback they received, companies often resort to automated emails to protect their reputation.
5. They don’t have feedback for you.
Finally, sometimes the recruiter simply doesn’t have feedback for you. Often this is due to the hiring manager not providing them with information about your application or interview. So if the recruiter shares that they don’t have any feedback, it won’t hurt you to take it at face value and move on to the next opportunity.
Final Thoughts
While few companies provide applicants with feedback when they’re rejected, a career coach can provide you with input, support, and guidance on your job search. And if you are struggling to convert your interviews into job offers, you may wish to partner with an interview coach to uncover the misalignment so you can land a job you love. You’ve got this!
