The Value of Getting Feedback During a Job Interview and How to Ask for It
Ever leave a job interview second guessing your answer to a question, remembering something you neglected to mention, or wondering whether something you said may have been misinterpreted?
Once the interview ends, you’ve lost the ability to have any significant impact on the interviewer’s evaluation. But what if minor changes in your approach to interviewing could minimize the risk of that happening?
The solution is to get feedback, and to do so before you leave the interview. Here are two ways to approach it.
1. During the Interview
When responding to an interviewer’s question, you can never know for sure how your response is being received. Perhaps you omitted an important detail or something you said was unintentionally misinterpreted. Once they move on to their next question, you’ve essentially lost the opportunity to set the record straight.
If you’re willing to be proactive, you can minimize the impact of that happening. The key is to ask for feedback as you answer each of the interviewer’s questions. Aside from increasing the odds of a positive evaluation, doing this can also lay the groundwork for a better flowing, two-way conversation and build rapport. Here’s how to handle it professionally:
When you reach the end of your response, ask:
“Did that fully address your question?”
“Is there anything you’d like me to say more about?”
If you get a response, thank them for the feedback, do your best to address whatever issue they raised, and respond accordingly.
Then consider one or more of these follow-up questions:
“Does that align with the way…
you do things here?”
you’d expect your team to handle a situation like that?”
“If hired, will I be facing any issues like that right away?”
2. At the End of the Interview
Your other opportunity for feedback is as the interview is wrapping up. If the flow of the conversation permits, it’s always helpful to gauge the interviewer’s overall reaction. It could be your last chance to influence their assessment of your fit for the role.
Here are a few ways to frame the question:
“Based on our conversation, how well do you think my experience aligns with what you’re looking for?”
“Is there anything I haven’t fully addressed that I can clarify or expand on?”
“Is there anything about my background that’s missing or could be an obstacle to success?”
“Would you be open to sharing your feedback on how this went?”
“Do you have any reservations about my ability to be successful in this role?” (Use this one carefully. It has a higher risk of making the interviewer feel like you’re putting them on the spot.)
How You’ll Benefit
You may not get a response, but that doesn’t mean the interview didn’t go well. For example, HR may discourage giving feedback or the interviewer may have another meeting to get to and doesn’t have time to continue the conversation. So, don’t regret trying. In fact, just making the effort to ask could be a plus. Here’s why:
It demonstrates you have a sincere desire to learn from others and care about your performance.
It shows a high level of self-confidence that could distinguish you from other candidates.
You might learn something that benefits you in future interviews.
You’ll get a more immediate read on how the interview went instead of waiting days or weeks for HR to get back to you.
You may find out they want to recommend you for the next round of interviews and signal a willingness to help you prepare for them. Maybe you’ll even be told you’re a finalist or are about to be offered the position!
Pro Tip: If the interviewer indicates they will recommend you for the next round of interviews, they may also be eager to help you succeed. If that happens, consider asking:
“Is there anything specific you think I should highlight in upcoming interviews that we haven’t discussed or isn’t in the job posting?”
Is there anything you think I should know about the other people I’ll be interviewing with?
If I have any additional questions, would you mind if I contact you?
There may be times when it won’t feel appropriate to ask these questions. If the conversation flowed well, the chemistry was positive, the interviewer seemed highly engaged, and you sense a positive vibe in the room, you should probably give it a shot. But, if the interviewer was overly formal or didn’t seem warm, personable, engaged, or confident, consider being more cautious.
What if the feedback is negative or vague?
Never get defensive, argue, or become combative. It is the employer's prerogative to decide whether you’re a fit for the role.
Always express appreciation, thank them for the information, and ask for clarification to make sure you fully understand how they arrived at their conclusions. This may give you one last opportunity to address any misunderstandings, omissions, or anything you may not have communicated clearly.
Lastly, don’t beat yourself up. You just received some valuable information! Think of it as a gift that gives you an opportunity to improve your interviewing skills.
Final Tips
Regardless of the outcome, always leave an interview on a positive note! Be sure to tell the interviewer how much you appreciated talking with them and for the opportunity to learn more about the position. Also, be sure to reaffirm your interest in the role and how excited you are about the opportunity to join their team.
If you find out you’re not right for the position but want to be considered for other roles, let them know and ask whether they’re aware of any current or future openings that might be a better fit.
Remember, job hunting is competitive. You need to stand out, and the strategies presented here, if handled professionally, have the potential to give you an edge over your competition. Take advantage of them! You might just find they make the difference between a job offer and a rejection letter.
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