Recently I saw a piece of dangerous career advice.
“Interview over? Rejected? Ask the company for feedback so you can learn from your mistakes.”
Why is this advice dangerous?
(a) Companies conscious of their brands, will be “constructive. ” They can’t afford to be critical and direct. They have to be careful to avoid getting sued.
(b) Companies often have hidden agendas in hiring decisions and may not know why you were rejected (or may not be able to reveal the real reason).
(c) You can come across as needy or insecure if you ask for feedback – ironically a special danger if you came across initially as calm and confident!
(d) The HR person may not know why the hiring manager turned you down, or vice versa. Their feedback may be inconsistent.
(e) A small company just doesn’t have time to deliver constructive feedback to each applicant.
After I commented, the columnist who wrote the original advice responded. He pointed out that people may not have enough money to hire a career coach or consultant.
That’s an interesting perspective. But if you think of almost any area of your life where advice matters, would you opt for “free” because you can’t afford “paid?” Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s good.
Additionally, you may end up re-applying for another job with that company. Sometimes they will take the initiative. It’s not unusual for companies to go through their past resumes on file to fill new searches. You’ll want to create an impression of strength and confidence, not neediness.
What do you think – is asking for advice going to set you on the wrong path?
Get help from objective sources, such as coaches and counselors.