Think of the situation: you just gave an interview, and exiting the room, you are thinking about how it went. Will you be able to make it? What does the panel think of me? I should not have mentioned reading as my hobby; I hardly read books, etc.
Interview feedback is the only solution to such questions revolving around your mind. Getting feedback is one of the complex tasks as the majority of companies refrain from sharing feedback. There are multiple reasons for the same, like maintaining the organization’s integrity and saving time & effort.
Since you want to perform better & improve your interview skills irrespective of getting the job, interview feedback is crucial. So let’s get started with the steps to understand how to get feedback for an interview.
Ask for Feedback During the Interview
It is always better to ask for feedback during the interview itself. Do not procrastinate and wait for the interview panel to provide feedback. As we assume that companies or interview panels often refrain from sharing the interview feedback, you can still get feedback from their facial expressions, body language, a little reflection & introspection on your answers during the interview & what, how & several questions asked.
Generally, if the interviewer is willing to spend more time with you during the interview, it is a better sign as you might know the company’s needs and industry trends. It will be icing on the cake if the interviewer introduces you to other team members.
On the contrary, if you notice any frowns or yawns while you speak during the interview, it clearly states you have lost their attention. Such expressions also act as feedback; notice them. Still, if such actions don’t bear fruit, you should ask for feedback before the interview ends.
Self-Evaluation
Remember to evaluate yourself after the interview. Sometimes, you can get the interview feedback from your reflection on your interview answers. Try to replay the whole interview in your mind and think about how you responded to the questions asked by the panel.
It would be best to make notes of the interview about what questions you could handle, which questions were difficult for you to answer, or whether you felt confident.
It is beneficial to reflect upon your interview as it allows you to address and rectify some of your mistakes or omissions. For instance, if you forget to mention an accomplishment, you can bring it to the panel’s attention in the thank-you note.
Check with Hiring Manager or Recruiter
We all expect that after the interview, we will receive favourable feedback like a job offer or at least an invitation for a follow-up interview.
Even if you are not picked for the vacant position, you can gain feedback that can assist you in landing an offer after your next interview.
Most hiring supervisors will not provide feedback voluntarily. It’s always challenging to break the bad news to someone, and most busy professionals need more time for difficult conversations with all of the applicants. Some are also concerned that they will say anything that would cause disagreement, offense, or even legal risk for the firm.
So, it does not hurt or causes harm as long as you ask politely. When any company representative breaks the bad news, asking for constructive interview feedback will make it easier for them to deliver the news.
Take careful notes as you listen to their comments. You ask for an honest critique, so don’t be defensive or argumentative. Instead, take everything you’ve been told seriously and make the most of it.
Get the Assistance of a Career Coach
If you have difficulty gaining honest interview feedback and evaluationsfrom interviewers, you should speak with a career coach or counsellor.
If you’ve had numerous interviews and have yet to receive any offers, you’re making frequent interview mistakes and need to be aware of them. A career coach can assist you in identifying problems and improving your interview techniques.
Most career coaches and counsellors have been educated to assist clients with interview best practices. They can provide you with honest, helpful comments during mock interviews and help you perform better during the interviews. They can also provide you with advice on how to improve. Mock interviews also provide you the opportunity to practice answering a variety of questions.
Career coach like Mahesh M. Thakur is an expert in providing interview training. Mahesh has relevant experience in recruiting for the IT industry and can help you with amazon interview training.
How To Get a Follow-Up Using Email?
Email is one of the most seamless and easy modes of communication as it allows the transfer of information without any constraints. Whatever your concern is, Email seems to be the most formal way of communication. Similarly, you can get a follow-up for your Interview after Layoff using the following steps-
- Create a strong subject line for the follow-up email
- Greet the recipient by their first name
- Write an effective body of the Email
- Explain the reason why you wrote the mail
- Be specific with the details like job profile, job title, date of interview, or any other essential information
- State your interest in the job position
- Ask about the update or next step of the process (if required)
- Finish with a thank you note and sign off with your first & last name
- Keep the mail short and precise
- Spell-check before hitting the send button
- Don’t forget to maintain a polite conversation and avoid showing any signs of frustration
That final point is crucial. Even if you’re preparing to send a second or third interview follow-up email in two weeks, sending a harsh message or displaying frustration will not speed up the employer’s decision-making process and may even cost you the job.
