Is it ok to ask an employer why you were not hired?

[tarheelpride]

A question I had for a long time. Recently, I began to ask employers (when they didn't give a reason or when one they gave was vague) why I was passed up for a position. I phrase it in a way saying that I want to learn from it and possibly see where else I'm weak at.

Is that a good idea? I haven't been getting responses back from any prospective employers on this.

[o803oVaDeR]

This is a good question. I have been thinking of doing the same thing. I have been unemployed for over a year now. I cant seem to get hired anywhere. I usually dont even get a response back when i apply. I have applied for hundreds of jobs over the last year and have maybe had 5 interviews. I just dont know what i am doing wrong.

[Darth Biscuit]

I don't think there's any harm in asking... But if you do get a response It's gonna be pretty generic.

They're not gonna say "because you look funny/smell/are an idiot/etc".

[dimbee]

Sure, you can ask. Just don't expect much of an answer due to possibilities of discrimination allegations should they tell the truth and it's because you were too young, too old, wrong race, whatever. :lol:

[Inimicus]

Ive just been through a 2 month long hiring search to fill a position. I was replacing a staff member who just wasn't working out so I had the luxury of time.

I interviewed about 30 people of the hundred plus resumes we got and in the end only a 2 or 3 of them didn't have the skills. Almost everyone I passed over was fine and probably could have handled the job but it was little things that tip the scales against them.

Some of the reasons I disqualified candidates:

A weak handshake.

Not knowing anything about who we are and what we do

Poorly fitting suit.

Smelled like an ashtray.

Couldn't name the last novel they had read.

Not a football fan.

Didn't play video games.

Those last three are big culture things among my team. Its what we talk about in our downtime.

Point being Id be wary of asking. Youll either get a lie, some canned response they tell everyone or something you really don't want to hear. Would you really want to know I disqualified you because you don't read novels?

[Kettle]

Ask at the conclusion of interviews what the interviewer thinks about you, and where you stand, whats the next step in the interview process, etc. I just got a job, and this was recommended to me by the recruiter. He called it closing the interview.

Also, you can't do enough homework. Research the company, come up with questions about it and its people, and always have an answer for the often asked question, "where do you see yourself in X years". It should only be about your career growth. Not personal life.

[Cat]

I was asked this once. I didn't tell the truth because I was worried of possible legal action. Didn't care for the question but it didn't hurt them to ask.

[Cat]

Can I come work for you?

[Miaoww]

Ive just been through a 2 month long hiring search to fill a position. I was replacing a staff member who just wasn't working out so I had the luxury of time.

I interviewed about 30 people of the hundred plus resumes we got and in the end only a 2 or 3 of them didn't have the skills. Almost everyone I passed over was fine and probably could have handled the job but it was little things that tip the scales against them.

Some of the reasons I disqualified candidates:

A weak handshake.

Not knowing anything about who we are and what we do

Poorly fitting suit.

Smelled like an ashtray.

Couldn't name the last novel they had read.

Not a football fan.

Didn't play video games.

Those last three are big culture things among my team. Its what we talk about in our downtime.

Point being Id be wary of asking. Youll either get a lie, some canned response they tell everyone or something you really don't want to hear. Would you really want to know I disqualified you because you don't read novels?

That's an incredible list. Not in a good way.

[Darth Biscuit]

Ive just been through a 2 month long hiring search to fill a position. I was replacing a staff member who just wasn't working out so I had the luxury of time.

I interviewed about 30 people of the hundred plus resumes we got and in the end only a 2 or 3 of them didn't have the skills. Almost everyone I passed over was fine and probably could have handled the job but it was little things that tip the scales against them.

Some of the reasons I disqualified candidates:

A weak handshake.

Not knowing anything about who we are and what we do

Poorly fitting suit.

Smelled like an ashtray.

Couldn't name the last novel they had read.

Not a football fan.

Didn't play video games.

Those last three are big culture things among my team. Its what we talk about in our downtime.

Point being Id be wary of asking. Youll either get a lie, some canned response they tell everyone or something you really don't want to hear. Would you really want to know I disqualified you because you don't read novels?

Nothing wrong with this approach imo... the person hiring (esp in a team setting) has to be comfortable with who they are hiring. Having someone around that doesn't fit in is a HUGE drag on everyone. I've interviewed probably 200+ people in my time as a manager over the last 10 years. Honestly you can kind of tell in the first few minutes if the person is right or not assuming they are actually qualified, and believe it or not that can be an issue... my old boss used to make me interview basically anyone that applied... that really sucks.

With only three people in this office, we've had that issue with new hires... sometimes someone seems right, and they just don't fit... of course, as we've all said, you can't really tell people "the reason I didn't hire is that you talk funny..." so just be prepared to get no response or something basic as we've all said.

[Tarheel31]

Prepare yourself to hear this every time you ask....

"We found someone with a LITTLE more qualifications than you"

:beatdeadhorse5:

[Hawk]

Ask at the conclusion of interviews what the interviewer thinks about you, and where you stand, whats the next step in the interview process, etc. I just got a job, and this was recommended to me by the recruiter. He called it closing the interview.

Also, you can't do enough homework. Research the company, come up with questions about it and its people, and always have an answer for the often asked question, "where do you see yourself in X years". It should only be about your career growth. Not personal life.

not sure I like this idea...I like the part about asking what the next steps are if successful and asking what their expected time line is etc...but I'm not going to answer you if you ask me where you stand...just my personal thought.

As for asking for follow up if not successful, I say 100% yes....do it and like you originally said, ask it in a means to improve sort of way...shows incentive, even if you're full of poo.

[thefuzz]

I always close interviews.

Well, the 5 times I have done one.

I ask if they think that I would be a good fit on their team, and when I can expect to hear from them.

[Kettle]

not sure I like this idea...I like the part about asking what the next steps are if successful and asking what their expected time line is etc...but I'm not going to answer you if you ask me where you stand...just my personal thought.

As for asking for follow up if not successful, I say 100% yes....do it and like you originally said, ask it in a means to improve sort of way...shows incentive, even if you're full of poo.

I did it on two phone interviews and two face to face interviews with the company that just hired me. I was told it lets the company know you are interested, and that good companies/interviewers have no problem giving honest answers.