Asking directly for feedback!

**jmo21** · 22 February 2011, 16:20

Originally posted by Hawkeye View Post

Has anyone here ever asked a manager for feedback directly? I emailed the manager that interviewed me last week for feedback. The two interviews went amazingly well and I am in shock that I did not bag the role.

I want to know why and the agency fobbed me off saying I was a strong candidate and that the client really liked me but could not give me a reason for the rejection.

Just frustrating and want to know what I could do better next time.

I haven't myself, but can't see any huge issue with doing so.

Chances are however, you will not get a reply, the manager won't be arsed, and/or probably won't be allowed to by HR.

**Hawkeye** · 22 February 2011, 16:22

Ah didn't think of the HR thing.

I keep thinking that it is not a big deal to ask but wonder if it would get his back up at all.

**dang65** · 22 February 2011, 17:31

I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago. Could not understand why they'd turned me down when the interview had gone so well and I had all the required skills. I sent a polite email to the interviewer, saying that I was sad to hear that I hadn't be selected and would he mind giving me any feedback "which might help me to improve my chances in future".

I got a friendly enough reply, but it didn't really explain what had gone wrong and I think it was just a case of them not thinking I would fit in, which one has to accept sometimes. Having been on the other side of the table a couple of times since then, I know that someone can do a perfectly good technical interview and have a pleasant enough personality, but as soon as they've gone you look at the other interviewer and both go, "Nah", and that's that. You both know that they just wouldn't fit in. Go to the next interview and they'll snap you up immediately. It's just the way human beans work.

**northernladuk** · 22 February 2011, 18:11

I don't bother with this and even if I did wouldn't trust the feedback anyway so think it is a pointless exercise. Believe me I wish it wasn't but gave up trying quite a few years ago.

Reasons (all negative of course!)

The client doesn't give a stuff. Just wants a contractor in to use and abuse. It is likely he is far too busy to give feedback to all 8 or 9 applicants he has seen and has probably forgotten anyway if you didn't cut it.

People are chicken and good solid constructive feedback seems to be a thing of the past. Not many managers know how to do it anymore. They just say something nice about you and pamper which is good to man nor beast. Because so many people don't know how or are not willing to do this you cannot be sure which one will be actually telling you the truth anyway.

Also what works for one manager may not work for another. If you go in to an interview and bang your hand on the table and say 'I will bloody well fix the project if it kills me' might get you the job with someone and end your interview with another one there and then.

Talking to my colleague here I would give feedback because I would like to treat people as I would like to be treated, my colleagues response was 'Would I f**k, got better things to do'. Problem is though if I gave a guy feedback and he pestered me again he would most definately get black marked for wasting my time. Sometime you try help people and it bites you in the ass so you don't bother again.

**Wanderer** · 22 February 2011, 22:41

Originally posted by Hawkeye View Post

I want to know why and the agency fobbed me off saying I was a strong candidate and that the client really liked me but could not give me a reason for the rejection

Could be a load of things. Give the client a call and see what happened if it really bothers you.

**Support Monkey** · 22 February 2011, 22:46

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

The client doesn't give a stuff. Just wants a contractor in to use and abuse.

Exactly!!! and it works both ways, i go to interviews and say no cos i did not like the look of the place, people, car park, toilets and no one ever rings me up and asks for feedback

**Freamon** · 22 February 2011, 22:52

Ring him up, be friendly and polite, say you were disappointed not to get the job and was wondering if he had 10 mins (either now or later) to give you some feedback.

**craig1** · 23 February 2011, 07:01

It's often agencies trying to "protect" their clients by shielding them from awkward questions. I have known agencies to say "there has been no feedback" when I know that the client has given a commentary on where it all went wrong, I've been on that client side and had interviewees come back to me wondering why I didn't give feedback as promised.

**escapeUK** · 23 February 2011, 07:31

Just an idea, what if they really wanted you, but the agent could make a lot more on a second candidate they also liked (just not as much as you). So the agent tells them you are no longer available, the rest of the story you already know.

Asking directly for feedback!