Job Interview Feedback

Whether you consider yourself thick skinned or otherwise may not really matter when it comes down to learning how to improve performance in job interviews. What counts here is just how much you want a job offer. If you want the offer, then you are probably eager to improve your job interviewing skills.

What's essential to improving performance is honest, constructive feedback following interviews. A Wall Street Journal article once profiled a successful executive who values this feedback so much he refuses to cooperate with head hunters unless they provide him with an assessment of how well he performed during the interview. He credits his improved interview skills with helping land his last several positions, all of which have been steps up the career ladder.

Yet, lacking time, recruiters and hiring managers don't usually feel obligated to deliver news about poor interview performance. But knowing how that feedback will make their lives easier may spur them to cooperate with you. Your ability to overcome interview shortcomings and elicit a job offer is definitely in the recruiter's interests. Also, there might be other things you could do to make the head hunter's job easier. Do you have contacts at companies the recruiter would like to pursue? Do you know talented people who might fill other jobs on the recruiter's radar?

By helping the recruiter, you may get the all-valuable inch or two of insight that will cue you in on areas for improvement. To take the sting out of such discussions, keep your questions neutral. Ask what made you less competitive, or ask about the attributes of the successful candidate.

For those who do their own independent job hunts, sans recruiters, you too can identify your job interview weaknesses. Mock interviews with a qualified career coach will provide you with valuable information. Be ready and open to receive the feedback. Remember, you asked for it because, like our successful executive, you want to know how to do your best!

Return to the Interviews home page.