Would you ask a prospective employer why you didn't make it if you wern't chosen for the position?

Question

I applied for a position in county government 5 years ago.. I applied then for the experience and did not get the job. So last year I reapplied.. went to 2 interviews and was very pleased.. but I was told that I didn't get the position but that if the position reopens in the future to apply that I was an excellent candidate. So it opened a few weeks ago and I reapplied.. went to a brief interview..and was told that someone that already worked in that department was also up for the interview but that I was one of 6 interviewed. Yesterday I got a form letter stating that I didn't get it..

Would it be off base to ask the employer what my weakness is that made it so I didn't get the position? How would you word it?

Answer 1

It's totally okay to ask for feedback on why you did not get the position. Especially if you went through the application process that many times. I would just politley say that you are looking to improve your interviewing skills as well as build upon the strengths that you already have and that you were wondering if he or she could help you by providing feedback as to why another candidate was chosen for the position instead of you.

Answer 2

It is absolutely normal to ask any employer, as to why you cant make it, in cases where you feel that you were in advantage and could have made it. Most of the employers do give a good feedback if it is asked in proper sense so as not to hurt the feelings of the employer. I have personally asked this for two of my interviews where I couldn't make it and I did get a satisfactory answer. There cannot be any strict wordings of how to ask it, but it will all depend on the employers mood, the employers attitude and his dedication to his profession, what we can do is judge the situation and ask openly and frankly, be assertive and not aggressive. That may do the trick, maybe the employer will remember you and may give you an added advantage the next time you approach.

Answer 3

You could definitely ask. But the only answer that will keep them from bringing on any legal situation is "someone with more experience got the job". I would probably ask what they thought you should do to better qualify yourself for the position.......like more training, schooling, experience (in what area?), volunteering etc.... That makes it sound like you are willing to do whatever it takes to qualify yourself and doesnt put them on the spot. Local state and gov. positions are set up ( for the most part) to qualify someone by the use of points. The more years experience you have the more points you get..... the more schooling the more points you get.... and someone who currently works in a state or fed (or veteran) position gets more points.
Good luck

Answer 4

I would call and ask what made the other applicant a better candidate. Also, after every job interview, send a thank you letter to the interviewer thanking them and expressing that you want the job.

Answer 5

I would say "Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the position of .......... needless to say, I am disappointed that I was not chosen for the job. I am very interested in working in this field and I would appreciate advice from you as to what additional studies or development I need to qualify. Thank you. blah, blah"

I don't believe any company will inform you of any personal weakness that they might have seen in your during an interview because that could always come back to bite them--you or anyone else could potentially accuse them of being unfair but if you present yourself at a professional level, I believe it will impress them that you want to improve yourself!

Good luck!

Answer 6

Yeah, you should probably ask so that you can better prepare yourself for other positions. Your wording doesn't have to be too complicated. Simple would probably work best, "Excuse me sir, my name is ________. I was just curious about why i was not chosen for the previous position that i applied for. I don't want to take up to much of your time, but i would really appreaciate it if you could explain this to me so that i could better myself for other positions that i may consider in the future." Doing something like this would give you brownie points to employers because it makes them think that you have great drive and determination, both good things to have in employees.

Answer 7

Not at all. I always call them back and ask them why I didn't get the job and they usually tell me they found someone with more experiences which is BS most of the time its cuz someone form the same company wanted the job and they have first dips or that someone they know recommend them a person. they have to put out the job advertising because its the rules of the company but most of the time they already have someone they want to hire already.l

Answer 8

I believe the now finished time mom, I requested those q's yet frequently did not get solutions. I also requested the dates of employment, the position they eligible for rehire, earnings and starting up position call and ending call. If both positions are extremely distinct, I frequently requested what number circumstances they were promoted.

Answer 9

You should call them. It's not like you have anything to lose by calling them. They already did not hire you.

You will find out if it's something you did wrong and be able to correct it for any other interview you go on.
If it's not anything to do with you, then you will eliminate your self-consciousness and worry.
Sometimes they already know who they are going to hire before they post the position and employers just post it because it's policy.

Answer 10

It would be absolutely fair to ask the employer who made the decision. Wanting to find out what your deficiency's and wanting to correct them is actually a good idea. The employer should respect this and respond accordingly. Judge for yourself from the answer you are given if you even want to work for this employer. Perhaps they only hire people they know.