If you want to be seen as a business or leader that people want to work for, it’s time to normalise giving constructive feedback to unsuccessful candidates. It's no secret that giving feedback can be tricky. But when it comes to job interviews, it's especially important to deliver critiques that are both honest and helpful. After all, you want to leave the applicant with a good impression – even if they're not right for the job. An unhappy customer will share their experience with at least 10 other people as research shows. In this post, we'll outline a few basic tips for providing constructive feedback after a job interview. We'll also share a few specific examples of what not to say. Keep reading to learn more! Why is it important to provide feedback to job applicants? After a job interview, it's important to provide feedback to the applicant. Not only is it the polite thing to do, but it can also be helpful in strengthening your relationship with the candidate. By providing feedback, you're helping the applicant to understand what they did well in the interview and what they could improve on. This information can be valuable as the applicant prepares for future interviews. Feedback can also help the applicant determine their next steps, whether that's continuing to pursue the job or moving on to other opportunities. They will also remember the person who gave them that valid piece of feedback that changed their career for the better as they then nail their next job interview. What is constructive feedback? Constructive feedback is feedback that is designed to help someone improve a specific skill or behavior. It is different from destructive feedback, which is feedback that is designed to hurt someone's feelings or make them feel ashamed.
Providing constructive feedback after a job interview is a way to help the applicant improve their chances of getting a job offer. It can also help them learn what they need to work on so they can be more successful in future job interviews.
How to give constructive feedback The way you deliver feedback can make or break an applicant's future career prospects. It's important to be clear, concise and direct when providing feedback. If you're worried that your feedback might come across as harsh, try to cushion it in terms of what the applicant could work on for future interviews. For example, "I noticed that you didn't quite answer the question about your experience with managing a team, but I think you have potential if you can improve on that. I suggest spending some time reviewing common interview questions and preparing for them." This type of feedback is helpful and gets the point across without damaging the applicant's ego or self-confidence. What not to say when giving interview feedback When it comes to providing feedback, be sure to avoid saying anything that could be construed as negative or unsupportive. For example, phrases such as "we decided to go in a different direction" or "you just weren't the right fit" can be demoralizing for the applicant. Instead, try to focus on the positives and offer suggestions for how the applicant could improve their candidacy in the future. Try not to be too critical or nitpicky—all feedback should be constructive and helpful. And always remember to be polite and respectful! How to end the feedback conversation After you've given your feedback, it's important to end the conversation on a positive note. Thank the applicant for their time, and let them know that you'll keep their resume on file. If they have any questions, be sure to answer them honestly and completely.
You may also want to provide them with some resources that will help them improve their interviewing skills. Whatever you do, make sure you stay positive and professional until the very end.
Conclusion: Giving feedback to job applicants is an important part of the hiring process. It can help them improve their skills and help them understand what they need to do to be a successful candidate in the future. However, it's important to remember that the feedback should be constructive, not negative. Make sure to give feedback in a positive way, and be sure to end the conversation on a positive note.
Giving feedback is also instrumental in to protecting your brand and reputation in the market place. I have seen countless companies tarnish their reputation but just ghosting unsuccessful applicants. Let’s not let that happen to you.
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