How To Ask Why You Didn't Get The Job Email Template

We asked career experts to share some helpful tips and e-mail samples on how to ask for feedback on why you did not get the job.

Hither are their insights.

Table of Contents

"What was information technology about my feel and skillset that had yous decide to go with some other candidate?"
Sample email content
- Introductory example
- Content case
- Summary/sign off
Steps to professionally ask an employer why y'all didn't get the job
- ane. Think over how the interview went
- 2. Send a follow-upward email and inquire for feedback
- 3. Utilise the feedback and improve yourself
- 4. Request to proceed in touch for future opportunities
"If yous were me, what would you pay more than attention to for a position similar this i?"
"What more could I have done to make my interview ameliorate?"
"Would you listen giving me some details into why I wasn't the all-time fit?"
"Would you be willing to give me communication on how I tin ameliorate my interviewing skills?"
Why employers are hesitant to give negative job interview feedback
- Example email script of what to say
Prove that you value feedback
Always be polite when asking for honest feedback
"How can I improve in case another opportunity arises?"

"What was it about my feel and skillset that had you lot decide to go with another candidate?"

There comes a time in your job hunting when yous merely desire to know why yous were not selected for the position. Y'all believe you were the platonic candidate. In your opinion, the job description was a perfect match. All the same you are non the candidate that gets to hear the words, "You're hired!"

So how exercise yous find out? How exercise you inquire? What do you lot even say that can become an reply to your burning question?

Over my 30 years in business working at Fortune 500 companies equally well as small businesses, I accept found the fundamental reply to be clarity and a direct approach. As a hiring manager, I would appreciate it when someone would ask me what it was that had them not be selected.

Information technology revealed a chip more about their character. I also got to see if they were truly interested and did not accept applying to our position lightly. They were serious.

And so what is information technology that got my attention and desire to reveal the reason why? And what was it that got the hiring director to want to share with me why I did not go the function?

There are ii pieces:

the question
the timing when to ask

An ideal question should practise a few things:

For the hiring manager
- Let them know you are serious
- Position yous as the one that got abroad OR an ideal person to future considerations (fifty-fifty outside of the company)
- Get you the respond to "why not you?"
- Proceed the door open up and offset a human relationship for possible future opportunities to exist considered

Earlier I give you a question that has worked for me, allow me share the affect of why information technology is of import to find out why not you.

On a few occasions, I had been shortlisted for positions in pro sports. I had a couple of interviews with the hiring manager. I shared all I could that would differentiate me from others. Simply in the end, I was non selected. I was puzzled. I could non understand.

So I reached out and asked, "Why non me?"

The outcome is why I am sharing this piece because what happened side by side was the well-nigh important thing you can do in business: Build relationships.

Information technology is not what yous know, simply who you know that volition make the difference.

On 2 occasions, the hiring managers spoke to other people almost me. It led me to take them be my spokesperson. Why? Because they interviewed me, they did the homework, and now it was more about them showing their power to other people. Thinking a picayune guilty for not hiring me; they could be doing me a favor talking well-nigh me to others.

Practise you see the next level of importance of asking, "why non you?"

Now, equally I promised, here are a couple of questions that should help you:

"What was information technology most my experience and skillset that had y'all decide to become with some other candidate?"
"What are 2 or 3 things that I need to work on and amend that would have y'all consider me in the future?"

What is important is: Practise you lot truly want to know? Do you care enough to find out why you were not selected?

If y'all value yourself and the kind of piece of work you practise, then information technology would be in your best interest to inquire.

And if you ask, I discover it best to be upfront. The truth may be tough to hear, but if you can wait beyond the truth and think about building relationships, you will strengthen yourself in the eyes of the hiring manager for the futurity.

Remember, they may not e'er exist at that company. Only they will most likely be in a position to hire or at the least know someone.

I call up it is key to highlight the importance of timing, format, formality, and structure of your request as the recruiter doesn't feel as though they owe yous whatever feedback. As a upshot, you must appoint them with something they actually desire to read.

Firstly, the timing. You should reply swiftly to your rejection e-mail in order to grab the recruiter with their mind all the same on your awarding. Your email should so be polite with a level of formality but using a human being and friendly tone rather than speaking from a template.

Sample e-mail content

Past this indicate, you lot should know the recruiter'due south proper name or the person y'all interviewed with, so you can be personal, referring to specific occurrences inside your recruitment process.

Introductory example

"Dearest 10,

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to interview with you lot. I enjoyed the procedure, and I feel as though I learned a lot/gained a lot of experience.

I constitute your question/explanation/comment on Y interesting…"

The email's content:

In terms of the content of the request, I think in society to go a respond you take to mention that you lot will be on the sentinel for other opportunities within the company and enquire if they have any advice or guidance not as to how y'all might improve but what you lot did well.

Again, be specific and emphasize points from your interview. Then y'all should feel gratuitous to provide feedback on the interview process if information technology'southward positive, as over again, this provides value for the visitor that may want your stance to be promoted.

Content instance

"Having experienced this interview process and gaining some insight into the visitor civilization, I am fifty-fifty more than motivated to continue to try and attain a part within this company.

I would be grateful if you could point in the direction of any upcoming openings. Also, if I could receive any feedback on my awarding, that would be fantastic equally I could work on amending whatever flaws.

The interview section/question on Z was challenging, and I feel every bit though I could have produced a much meliorate reply. Having completed the interview, I at present empathise what I could improve on, but it would be great to get your stance."

Summary/sign off

Then all you have to do is sign off, thank them for their time (make it personal) and say what a pleasure it was to run across them, and they hope they volition be interviewing with the visitor in the time to come.

"I look forward to hearing dorsum from you lot."

It's all almost writing a polite, personal, and specific message to judge their attention.

There are times when we feel similar we did well on a job interview, but nosotros were still not able to become the job. Every bit a lot goes on in the conclusion-making process, we are oft curious why we weren't selected. Employers typically won't share feedback, but it volition not hurt to ask.

Steps to professionally ask an employer why you didn't get the job

Follow these steps to professionally ask an employer why you lot didn't get the job.

1. Recall over how the interview went

Information technology sucks to admit that you lot did not do well, only help yourself abound and figure out what aspects you lot tin improve. Ask yourself these questions:

Exercise you recollect you are qualified for the task, or yous did not encounter all of the requirements? Could you do something about it?
Were there any experiences or skills that y'all could've mentioned in the interview, merely you forgot to bring up?
Did you lot respond the interview questions to the best of your ability?

2. Ship a follow-up electronic mail and ask for feedback

It might be embarrassing to reach out to your interviewer, only swallowing your pride and asking him/her to requite honest feedback could aid you more than you think it would.

Use this every bit an opportunity to larn about your weaknesses and figure out a way to plow those weaknesses into strengths. Information technology might leave a positive impression that may open up a door with the company should there be a vacancy in the time to come.

Hither's an instance email:

"Dear Ms./ Mr. Last Proper noun,

Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the (insert job role). Although I was eager to have an opportunity for this position, I do appreciate you letting me know that I was not chosen for the position.

As I have great respect for your expertise and professionalism, I would appreciate the chance to become some feedback on why I wasn't able to land the job. I wanted to know how I can improve upon my candidacy for employment.

Thank y'all for your time and for the opportunity.

Regards,
Your Proper noun
Phone Number
Email Address"

iii. Apply the feedback and meliorate yourself

Fifty-fifty if y'all might disagree with some of the feedback given, information technology's important to take those things into consideration. Use this setback every bit an advantage, as this will exist beneficial to you in your future applications.

4. Asking to keep in touch for future opportunities

If you wish to work in the visitor and yous call up that you would fit for other opportunities, politely ask to keep in touch with the interviewer.

After months from your last interview, bank check-in with the interviewer for new positions available in the visitor. Tell him/her your qualifications and don't forget to include new skills y'all've gained.

By doing this, you are letting the interviewer know that you are really determined to work for the company.

"If you were me, what would yous pay more attention to for a position similar this one?"

E'er thank them for their time and willingness to help you larn. So choose something like this with the sole purpose of agreement what you could do differently in a chore search.

There is no mileage in having an argument about why you lot remember they fabricated a mistake – in fact, doing that will guarantee you never get another interview with that organization for any job. The higher and smarter road is to focus on learning from the experience.

Every interview is a learning opportunity and when you don't get a task – be grateful!

That ways it wasn't a good fit for you for whatever number of reasons, and you lot wouldn't have been happy there anyway. Count your lucky stars because it would exist a nightmare to be working where you were the last selection or just a warm trunk.

Far better to work where y'all are valued for all you bring to the tabular array, warts and all.

In the spirit of cocky-comeback, self-awareness, and self-management – the following questions can bound-start a bigger conversation. For instance, y'all may learn that you were overqualified for this job, just in six months, a better fit job will be opening up, and they hope y'all'll use for that 1.

It might be that they really had an internal promotion preference, and you were equally qualified to that person, so they hired inside. You just never know what will come, but you won't know anything unless you ask and so be open up to hear the respond or even the non-reply.

Both will tell you lot more than than you know right now. Never justify, argue virtually, or defend yourself in these conversations unless you want the door to shut hard behind yous.

"Learning matters to me, especially where I may take blind spots. I would appreciate knowing any blind spots yous noticed in me that influenced your determination."
"What do you believe I could and should exercise in the future to make me an platonic candidate for your organization?"
"What questions could I have asked yous to help me empathize better why I wasn't the best candidate for this position?"
"What questions should I exist asking you now to help me empathise better why I wasn't the best candidate for this position?"
"If you were me, what would you pay more attention to for a position similar this one?"
"Equally I focus on my own evolution, what communication can you share that might aid me focus in the right direction?"
"If this had been you applying for this position, what would you lot have done differently than I did?"

"What more could I accept done to brand my interview meliorate?"

I've lost my task a number of times, and in all the times I asked, I only got 1 straight answer. When I have asked (other times), HR Managers have cited visitor policy, only their reluctance centers around legal concerns.

An constructive manner to request feedback is via phone or in person — never voice-post or e-mail.

Position it this way:

"I actually capeesh the power to interview at the ABC Company. The position is such a neat opportunity, and I was disappointed when some other candidate was chosen.

For my personal growth, what more than could I have washed to make my interview better?"

Although it took ii weeks to become dorsum in touch with the pyramid head, she told me that although they were impressed with me and that I had a great series of interviews, that there was absolutely goose egg I could've done to become the position.

That'due south considering she said someone who had worked for her earlier and gone to a competitor, saw the position, applied for the position and got the chore.

She said to me, "Nosotros know all well-nigh this person and their potential because they worked for the states before. Nosotros actually don't know you lot, so making the hiring decision was easy for us and is no reflection on you."

I was however disappointed, merely relieved to know the answer.

Tess Eby

Managing Managing director, Avenica

"Would y'all mind giving me some details into why I wasn't the best fit?"

After finishing an interview with a visitor, you expect to hear from them on whether or non you got the task after a couple of days; however, that doesn't always happen. And so the first tip that I will give is to attain out to the company contact or the hiring manager you interviewed with.

The affair that we hear most inside the recruiting world is the extended periods of fourth dimension before candidates hear dorsum. Keep in mind that even though they are hiring for a function, that is not their only responsibility, and it is of import to approach the situation with grace.

Now that yous accept someone that you can talk to virtually your interview feedback, the adjacent question is, what do y'all say?

Listed beneath, you lot will notice usual responses to why you didn't get the task and some great professional ways to respond.

"We filled the role with a more qualified candidate."

"Thank you for making me aware the part has been filled. Do y'all or the hiring manager have whatsoever feedback on how I can improve my interview for further opportunities?"

Never fully close the door with a company. It is also okay to permit them know you still have an interest in the visitor and volition proceed to utilise for roles y'all call back you would be a slap-up fit.

"We didn't believe that y'all were the best fit for the role."

"Thank you for following upwards and letting me know you are looking for a different candidate to fill your role. Would yous mind giving me some details into why I wasn't the best fit? I'd like to continue to meliorate for other like roles I've been applying to."

"We really loved meeting with you, and your background is nifty. Information technology was a tough decision between you and another candidate, but nosotros ultimately decided to go with the other candidate."

"Cheers for taking the time to attain out and provide me with that data. I know that decision probably took a long time to country on. What was the deciding gene between u.s.?"

The biggest thing to take away from the examples above is kickoff to admit that they reached out to you lot to let you know. As mentioned above, a lot of companies don't take that fourth dimension and especially don't ever get in-depth as to why they selected another candidate for the part.

You never want to fully disqualify yourself from the company. Just because you weren't a fit for ane role with them doesn't mean you aren't a fit for the company or a different team!

Michael AnnMarie Sherlock

CEO, Shock Your Potential

"Would you be willing to give me advice on how I can ameliorate my interviewing skills?"

The best instance of someone requesting feedback from me came decades ago, in my first management position.

I was interviewing a candidate for an unpaid marketing internship. I interviewed about a dozen candidates — yet only i person, when given the news that she was not selected, asked for feedback. I will never forget it.

She called me directly but had been sent to my voicemail when I was on the other line. Although I do non call back verbatim, the following is how I recall it.

"Ms. Sherlock, this is Jane Smith.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview for the internship.

I appreciate that you lot called to tell me directly that I was not selected. After my initial disappointment, I realized I accept a learning opportunity here, and I don't want to waste information technology.

Would you exist willing to accept a call with me to give me advice on how I can improve my interviewing skills?"

She impressed me so much with this bulletin.

I did really consider a height candidate, but the one I chose was as well good to refuse. And then practiced, in fact, that the unpaid intern before long became an employee, whom I trained to take my position when I moved on.

Still, "Jane Smith" stood out. A few weeks after this incident, I was at a networking meeting, and someone said they were looking for an intro marketing person. I wholeheartedly recommended "Jane," who, instead of 6 months unpaid with my company, landed a full-time paying position weeks later.

What surprises me the nigh is that, from all the interviews I have conducted, I can only count on ane hand the number of candidates who did this kind of follow-up.

Some don't fifty-fifty reply when you plow them downwards. Yet nearly 30 years afterwards, "Jane Smith" nonetheless dominates my standard of excellence.

When information technology comes to task applications, you win some, and y'all lose some. The key is to keep moving forwards when you are rejected.

Once y'all receive the email or call that you were non called for a position, the ship has sailed for that opportunity of employment. Still, there is still value you can excerpt out of the situation.

Sure, you may not accept been chosen for the position, merely practise you know why they didn't choose you? If yous did know why, do yous think that information could be useful to y'all? I'd emphatically say yep!

On your quest to landing that dream job, you lot'll interview for countless positions. Don't exist discouraged if you are receiving rejection messages. This is part of the process.

With each awarding and interview, you will gain experience and hone your skills. You can amplify and expedite your learning past request each employer why you didn't go the job. Y'all would be surprised how willing people are to help others, particularly those that go the actress mile to improve.

Imagine that y'all interview with a company and receive an e-mail ane week afterward that you were non selected to move forward. The person who sent that email was one of the electric current employees you interviewed with.

Request why you didn't get the chore tin be simplified into three steps:

Kindly thank the interviewer for their consideration.
Request to know why y'all weren't called.
Explain why you want to know.

Here is an example:

"Hi [Name],

Thank y'all for your consideration for the position. Information technology was great to interview with you and your team.

May I please ask why I was not chosen or why someone else was called over me? This feedback will help me identify the areas I demand to improve on to go a meliorate professional.

Annihilation will exist profoundly appreciated. Thank yous.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]"

I like to add together the information in step iii because it allows you to show the employer that you are a go-getter that wants to improve.

This could be enough to grab their attention and consider you for a different position in the future. Or, the employee may be moved enough to put in a recommendation for you with a different visitor. You never know!

To summarize, you lot will surely exist rejected from a few job applications throughout your career. Observe value in those rejections by asking the employer why you didn't get the task. What they come dorsum with can be insightful to help you ameliorate.

Why employers are hesitant to give negative chore interview feedback

Many employers fear discrimination lawsuits. To avoid any possible hazard, their legal team and/or HR department create a policy of telling candidates, "Deplorable, we chose someone who was a slightly amend fit." Or something to that effect.

Nevertheless, in some cases, y'all tin still convince a hiring manager or recruiter to requite you a bit of helpful feedback if you ask in the right way, and non every company has a strict, no-feedback policy.

The best way to ask why yous were turned down for a job is to position your request in an effort to improve and become better in your job chase.

Employers are wary of job seekers trying to convince them to change their listen (which isn't going to happen if they've already fabricated a final decision and informed you of their decision).

So if you make it clear that y'all're not attempting to persuade them and that you lot're but trying to gather helpful information to improve your career, yous'll give yourself the best hazard of receiving a meaningful reply.

Instance e-mail script of what to say

"Thank you for informing me of your decision. While it's not what I was hoping to hear, I certainly sympathise.

I do have a quick question. I'yard always looking for ways to ameliorate my job search skills and also go on to build a skill gear up that's attractive to employers.

Was there a fundamental area where my experience, or the way I presented it in the interview, fell a bit brusque?

Anything you can share would be a big help as I wait to go on improving in my career.

Thanks for your time,
Your Name"

If y'all utilize the approach in a higher place and make a personal appeal that the hiring manager or recruiter can relate to (we've all been rejected for jobs and felt the hurting of non knowing why), you'll get more meaningful feedback after job rejections.

Susan Norton

Senior Director of Man Resources, LiveCareer

Show that you lot value feedback

Equally a hiring manager, I appreciate it when applicants are open to feedback and want to utilise it every bit an opportunity to learn. I'll always say "aye" to a candidate'southward asking for feedback when I run across that they're genuinely interested in things that they lacked to get a job offer.

The key in formulating such a question lies in focusing on your skills and experience rather than external factors. As an applicant, y'all demand to empathise that we won't be able to share with you why a dissimilar candidate got a job. Information technology's confidential information.

Yet, don't be agape to ask how you can improve and which skills you need to reapply for a similar position in the future. Such behavior shows us that yous care nigh your professional development and take the backbone to face constructive criticism.

Here is an example of an electronic mail you can write to a recruiter when asking why you didn't go the chore:

"Dear [Recruiter's name],

Cheers for your e-mail regarding the status of my awarding for the position of [job's position] at [visitor'due south name].

As I'thousand always looking for learning opportunities in my career, I'd honey to hear your feedback on my awarding and interview skills. Would you lot be so kind equally to share with me how I could improve?

Whatsoever suggestions you could share would help me to meliorate in my job search.

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
[Your name]"

Akram Assaf

Co-Founder & Chief Engineering Officer, Bayt.com

Always be polite when asking for honest feedback

The number i rule here is to always be polite. Start by reflecting on your interview, acknowledging your mistakes, and getting over them. Your next step should exist to write a follow-upwards message or an e-mail, asking for honest feedback nigh your interview.

Tell them how you felt, tell them you're fine with their decision, simply ask them for honest feedback.

When y'all get your answers, answer kindly to their feedback and give thanks them for their time. This is your take a chance to reflect on what they say and to use information technology to meliorate yourself. Go on in mind that you can use this opportunity to build somewhat of a connexion with the employer.

If everything goes well, you lot tin can endeavour applying for the task again in a few weeks, months, or even years. Everyone will call up how kind you lot are, and you volition be back stronger and smarter. It's a win-win.

Keep it simple and don't overcomplicate.

Another affair worth mentioning is simplicity. None of this should be or experience complicated. It is completely normal to ask why yous got declined, so don't stress too much about it.

This approach works for both sides, and information technology leaves an overall amend impression. Innovate yourself, explain the situation, ask for honest feedback, and say thanks. That's it.

Your goal with all of this is to get some feedback and ensure that you have another shot at this at some point in the future. Keep that in mind, and it volition come to your naturally.

Don't enquire "why," instead, inquire "how."

Asking hiring authorities why they didn't give y'all the position may come off also strong. Hiring authorities can experience apprehensive about answering this question, not wanting to be perceived equally biased and have a lawsuit in their easily.

"How can I improve in instance another opportunity arises?"

Instead, try posing the question as, "How can I meliorate in case another opportunity arises?"

That manner, it gives y'all valuable information on what areas to work on when considered for a future job opportunity (i.e., cleaning upward your resume, improving interviewing skills, etc.).

Don't burn down bridges; build them.

Non getting the task offer doesn't necessarily mean that a futurity opportunity won't exist a skillful fit for your skills and expertise.

Connect with the hiring potency or recruiter on LinkedIn and form a professional connexion with them. Fifty-fifty if you couldn't get the chore this time around, it's nonetheless possible for them to keep you in heed for a relevant opportunity in the future.

There only a few things in life that injure as much as getting a rejection from a promising employer.

But if you lot observe the force to enquire the company for feedback on why yous didn't get the task, you'll get an invaluable insight into your cadre strengths and, most chiefly, weaknesses.

That gained sensation in itself can propel your interviewing skills and potentially help yous land a job further downwards the line. To enquire why y'all didn't get the chore, y'all can follow a unproblematic formula:

Thank the interviewer for their fourth dimension while keeping your tone upbeat and polite.
Explain your motivation for getting in touch.
Ask for feedback on your interview operation.

Below is a existent-life instance of how to ask for feedback after a less-than-stellar interview:

"Dear [recruiter'southward get-go name],

Cheers so much for taking the time to interview me for the position of [position name] at [visitor name]. While I'm disappointed you won't move frontwards with my awarding, I wanted to inquire if you have a spare minute to share any feedback you may have based on my performance at the job interview.

I strongly believe your feedback will assist me pinpoint areas of improvement and generally provide some insight into my potential shortcomings as a candidate.

Thank you once again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
Max"

Consider the recruiter's perspective

It'southward crucial to acquit in listen that recruiters are often bound past company policies regulating how they should communicate and use their time.

Their talent sourcing processes might besides be organized in a way not allowing for annihilation more than than just a generic rejection email. If yous notice such clauses present in the job list, it may not exist worth asking for feedback.

You lot would likely simply receive a generic statement about better-suited candidates being found.

Share (positive) comments on the recruitment process

Reciprocity fosters more honest and insightful conversations. Complement your recruiter on speedy reply or well-crafted technical skills examination. They will become more likely to provide feedback after that.

Accommodate subjective feedback

Expectations towards candidates may significantly vary across companies. Even if you lot nailed every interview for a similar role, information technology doesn't guarantee that your skillset will be a perfect lucifer for the side by side function.

Recruiters may pass up you based on surprising criteria such as unsuitable personality or cognitive abilities test results, or even poor cultural fit. Don't undermine their authority, only rather look for effective feedback. Ask how you tin ameliorate your skills in that dimension.

Straight feedback conversation to areas of your involvement

If you are aware that computational tests are your weakness, ask how you lot performed against other candidates. Learning whether yous scored inside the superlative 5% or bottom 50% tin can steer your hereafter recruitment preparation in the right direction.

If your career history is not a typical one, yous may also ask what other roles the recruiter would find suitable for you. In plow, yous may get to participate in more suitable recruitment.