If the stack of rejection letters is growing larger, it's possible that something about
your interviewing style is causing you to be screened out of the process. If you feel
as though you are spinning your wheels with your job-hunt, you have little to lose
by trying to find out from one or more of your interviewers if you are doing something
wrong. Choose an interviewer with whom you felt you had particularly good
rapport in the interview. The interviewer is certainly under no obligation to
respond to your request for feedback, but if he or she really is someone with
whom you had good chemistry, the interviewer may take compassion on you
and help you out. Be aware, too, that you may get better results if you phone
to ask what you did wrong. The interview will be more disarmed and put on
the spot to respond to you. It's even possible that you are being rejected based
on a misunderstanding - some sort of mistaken perception that you don't meet the
qualifications for the job. If that's the case, you could get back into the running
simply by reconnecting and asking what you did wrong.
Here's a sample what-did-I-do-wrong letter:
7 Apple Court
Eugene, OR 97401
503-555-0303
Mr. Scott Lucas
Director of Account Services
The Quaker Oats Company
Chicago, IL 60606
Dear Mr. Lucas:
Thank you for this week's letter informing me that you
have offered the budget analyst position to someone else.
Naturally, I was disappointed, but I do thank you for
interviewing me and considering me for the position.
Ms. Nesbitt, I felt a very strong connection with you
in our interview and wondered if I might ask you a big
favor. Since my qualifications align perfectly with the
requirements of this position as stated in the job
description, I am concerned that I do not interview well.
Could I trouble you to critique my interview performance
and tell me what I could have done better to achieve this
job offer?
Again, I appreciated the time you took to interview me,
and I would be most grateful if you could provide feedback
on my interview.
Cordially,
John Oakley
Have you taken advantage of all of our sample letters?
