You’ve interviewed with a company and things went well. The next step is the job offer. In most cases, it’s a simple process — they offer you the job; you accept. But sometimes there are circumstances surrounding the job offer that complicate the process. This is the first in a series of Q&A to explore strategies for how to handle the situation when a challenge arises.
Question:
What if I don’t get offered the job? How do I find out why I wasn’t selected?
Answer:
The easiest way to find out is to ask. You can send the hiring manager a thank you note that also requests feedback on your candidacy; however, you’re unlikely to get a response unless you follow that up with a phone call or email. And a phone call will probably yield your best chance to find out why, if you can get the hiring manager on the phone.
However, keep in mind that the reason given for most hiring rejections is that another candidate was “more qualified.” That doesn’t necessarily mean that the individual had technical qualifications that more closely matched the job’s requirements. Sometimes, it’s also a matter of “fit” — whether one candidate or another fits in better with the company culture.
Sometimes, if you can get feedback from a hiring manager, you can use the information to position yourself better for the next opportunity. For example, you may find that it’s desirable to have a specific credential or educational background for the type of position you’re seeking. But don’t get too hung up on why you didn’t receive a particular job offer. Instead, focus on what you can do differently in your next interview — recognizing that every “no” gets you closer to your ideal “yes.”
Finally, as several of the scenarios outlined above demonstrate, the hiring process does not always work out, so following up with the hiring manager to thank him or her may lead to a job offer, especially if the top candidate turns down the position, withdraws his or her candidacy, or cannot pass the background check.
If, however, you consistently find yourself getting job interviews — but not job offers — then you might consider what you need to change in your interviewing style, or the types of jobs you’re interviewing for — that will increase your chances of securing the job offer.
