Reply to: Asking directly for feedback!

[Robinho]

If you feel the interview went well then i wouldn't bother with the feedback.

If you try and please everyone, you'll end up pleasing no-one.

[northernladuk]

As a hiring manager, the most feedback I'd give to a candidate would be something along the lines that we gave the contract to someone better is some way - better skilled, more experienced, thicker brown envelope stuffed full of fivers...

You don't seem to be getting the right level of candidate in if it only has fivers in it!!

[NotAllThere]

As a hiring manager, the most feedback I'd give to a candidate would be something along the lines that we gave the contract to someone better is some way - better skilled, more experienced, thicker brown envelope stuffed full of fivers...

[SueEllen]

Totally disagree. This is the reason you are less likely to get feedback. If everyone did contact them the chance of feedback would be most certainly 0 because they are sick of the 6-8 guys they see everytime ringing them up afterwards. If you are a busy manager on a contract heavy project imagine the time that would take.

Asking for feedback is different from thanking the client for their time and stating you are interested if you had a good interview.

The first one means the client has to do some work.

The second one means that if the agency tries any tricks the client can easily find out what the agency is up to.

If you know people involved in hiring people they will often tell you a tale of how an agency, with names, has screwed them around.

[northernladuk]

Everyone should contact the client directly if they don't get the contract because you can't trust these bast*** agents.

One agent sent me for an interview but also sent another candidate at much lower rate.
Obviously client rejected me on that basis. I came to know about this when I contacted the client.
Now the agent is in trouble with the client. good result i say.

Totally disagree. This is the reason you are less likely to get feedback. If everyone did contact them the chance of feedback would be most certainly 0 because they are sick of the 6-8 guys they see everytime ringing them up afterwards. If you are a busy manager on a contract heavy project imagine the time that would take.

I would hope people used some common sense and some self critique before picking up the phone and pestering the client. I went for a role with the Environment Agency. My first public role interview. Went suited and booted with cufflinks. Not looking like a Merchant Banker, just smart. The two guys that arrived to interview me had cardigans on and one had corduroy trousers on. I kid you not. I had a slight idea I might fail this one and the reason the agent gave was 'team fit'. Go figure. We all think we are a dead cert so have to be very hard and honest with ourselves to further improve sometimes.

I know of one contractor who had a brilliant interview and was offered the contract. The agent tried to push down his rate, and it got quite heated, until the agent backed down. Then the agent called saying that the offer had been withdrawn by the client, as they'd found some who could do the work internally.

The contractor wrote a nice letter to the interviewing manager, expressing his regrets at not getting the contract, but fully understanding that the client's position. And hoping that they'd consider him for any future opportunities.

A few days after sending the letter, he got a call from the agent, saying the contract was now available, at the higher rate.

Funnily enough, the agency in question were gradually let go by the client.

LOL. Funny thing is exactly the same happened to me when dealing with estate agents buying the last two houses I lived in. Must something synonymous with the word 'agent'

[Andy2]

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.

Everyone should contact the client directly if they don't get the contract because you can't trust these bast*** agents.

One agent sent me for an interview with the promise of a high rate but also sent another candidate at much lower rate.
Obviously client rejected me on that basis. I contacted the client and explained that agent said client will pay higher rate. Now the agent is in trouble with the client.
good result i say.

[Hawkeye]

Thanks for all the advice.

I think for me all I want to know is if I made some glaring error that was obvious to them but not to me so I do not make it again. Indeed what is in it for him to help me? Nothing so I do not expect a response at all but am now definitely thinking it was worth a shot asking.

I would use it to improve me and my performance but I can understand how some might argue back and the hiring manager in the future refuses to give such feedback. Even if I disagreed I would probably respond saying thank you for his time and leave it at that.

[jmo21]

I know of one contractor who had a brilliant interview and was offered the contract. The agent tried to push down his rate, and it got quite heated, until the agent backed down. Then the agent called saying that the offer had been withdrawn by the client, as they'd found some who could do the work internally.

The contractor wrote a nice letter to the interviewing manager, expressing his regrets at not getting the contract, but fully understanding that the client's position. And hoping that they'd consider him for any future opportunities.

A few days after sending the letter, he got a call from the agent, saying the contract was now available, at the higher rate.

Funnily enough, the agency in question were gradually let go by the client.

Nice!

I think I may adopt this approach should I ever face a similar situation.

[NotAllThere]

I know of one contractor who had a brilliant interview and was offered the contract. The agent tried to push down his rate, and it got quite heated, until the agent backed down. Then the agent called saying that the offer had been withdrawn by the client, as they'd found some who could do the work internally.

The contractor wrote a nice letter to the interviewing manager, expressing his regrets at not getting the contract, but fully understanding that the client's position. And hoping that they'd consider him for any future opportunities.

A few days after sending the letter, he got a call from the agent, saying the contract was now available, at the higher rate.

Funnily enough, the agency in question were gradually let go by the client.

[krytonsheep]

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

You could leave one of those restaurant feedback cards/online form, with a 1 in 3 chance of winning an ipad, so there's a bit of incentive for the manager to fill it out :-)

I am in shock that I did not bag the role.

One of the first rules of contracting is to only assume you've got a contract when your first time sheet has been signed. From that point onwards you should assume the contract will be terminated at any minute.

[escapeUK]

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.

[craig1]

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.

[Freamon]

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.

[Support Monkey]

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

[Wanderer]

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.