During the application process, feedback to job seekers can be minimal to non-existent. As a job seeker it can feel like you are throwing your resume into a black hole. The unlimited submittals to unmanned computer systems that chew up your resume and spit out that awful automated rejection email can start become too much to contemplate. I feel your pain.
For your own sanity, you must accept that these automated “rejections” are sent by algorithms looking for answers to yes and no questions. If you do reach a real person, the feedback from the interview cycle might be more straightforward, but can still lack the depth necessary for growth if you aren’t actively seeking it and evaluating yourself.
Your response to feedback from a company is important. It is crucial to consider every interview and professional interaction as a potential future opportunity. Leave a bad taste in the mouth of that hiring manager and a year from now when she gets a position at your current company the situation could be tense.
Here is some guidance on how to seek feedback, what to expect and how to respond when you receive the feedback you deserve.
1. Submit an application only after reviewing the job description and ensuring you meet the minimum qualifications for a position. If you receive the automated “we are looking into other candidates” email, this is valuable feedback! Look at the job description. Look at your resume. Do the two match up on the most basic levels? If not, change the type of jobs you apply for or adjust your resume (honestly!) to showcase your success in similar positions.
2. Connect with individuals in the market(s) you want to work in through local networking events, non-profit organizations that you are passionate about or social media outlets. Networking is a long-term part of the career strategy and should continue to be a part of your professional process after receiving an offer letter.
3. During interviews of any type, be aware of your physical presence, your defensiveness toward certain type of questions and when you talk too much or too little. Also pay attention to the interviewer. Do they look bored? Are they engaged in a conversation with you or just checking off the questions on their list? This is feedback! Use it to improve your presence in future opportunities. Even do mock interviews once in a while for someone else’s feedback. Ask your mock interviewer to tell you not only about how you answered the questions but also how you presented yourself overall.
4. Ask for feedback directly. At the end of the interview, when you are asked if you have any questions, say “yes!” Ask the interviewer what type of person succeeds in their workplace and what kind of qualities the company values. This shows your interest in the organization and its people, and gives you feedback about how you may or may not fit within the organization.
5. Follow up with the company and the interviewer specifically (if possible). Snail mail thank you cards can seem outdated in our fast-paced world, but an email thank you is still appropriate. It’s also a great way to deliver additional references, a link to your video resume or an invitation to connect through social media.
If you are approaching your career search with a clear strategy, you should already have specific goals and check in points in place for your search. Include feedback from mentors, colleagues and even family and friends as part of this process. Your frustration about the job search process may be more apparent than you realize.
The last and most important suggestion I can make is this: be prepared for honest feedback. You may not hear all positives, and if you do, someone is going easy on you. When someone points out a place for improvement, ask for suggestions and the reasons for these thoughts. For the most honest feedback, call a career coach. A coach can help with a number of things, including honest and constructive industry and hiring-based feedback throughout the entire process.
Remember, it can potentially be a long road to find the perfect career move, so prepare for the marathon not the sprint.