All you have to do is ask: The importance of evaluation and feedback
How did your last job interview go? Even if you ended up getting the job, I’m sure there was room for improvement. In my previous blogpost ‘The best job you never had’ I discovered the importance of resilience and a growth mindset to overcome challenges and learn from bad experiences. But even with the right mindset, what tools could be used to actually gather the information needed? How to put theory into practice?
When it comes to the recruitment process, there are 2 sources of information. First, there is the company; the recruiter you have communicated with or the team member who interviewed you. On the other side, there is you. Both can provide very valuable information.
Self-evaluation
A lot can be learned from self-evaluation. According to the International Baccalaureate student programme, aimed at helping students develop resilience through education, reflection is a key factor in learning. Looking back at an experience while reflecting on your performance, can help you identify both strengths and areas of improvement. To get started with self-evaluation after a job application or an interview, several questions can be helpful. Honesty is the best policy, and for this to work, you need to be brutally honest with yourself.
1: “Did you meet the requirements”?
In my search for a new position, I came across a very interesting vacancy. Strong communication skills? Check. Team player? Double-Check! 3+ years of experience? Oh okay. Maybe not quite. I really liked the vacancy, so I decided to give it a shot anyway. But, I didn’t get the interview. We’ve all been there or at least tempted to risk it. While there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious or aiming high, focusing energy on positions where your skills and experience match the requirements can greatly increase the chances of success.
2: “Did you prepare?”
This question applies to any stage of the application process, whether it is writing a CV or having an interview coming up. If your friend tells you they are running a marathon tomorrow without any practice, you wouldn’t expect them to get very far, right? The same applies to the application process: preparation is key. In order to understand what to focus on in your CV and motivation letter, it is important to do research on the company and its values. In order to convince someone you are the best person for the job, you need to be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.
3: “Would you have hired yourself?”
To answer this question, it is important to evaluate the entire process you went through and to reflect on how you presented yourself to the company. In applying for a job, you take part in a recruitment process: a process means every aspect of how you present yourself matters — from the first application to the email conversations to scheduling a meeting for the interview. Did you write polite emails or were they rushed, filled with typos, and sent while you were standing on the subway? Were you punctual? During the interview, were you able to share your thoughts succinctly or did you ramble, freeze, or even both? If at any point the honest voice in the back of your head tells you ‘maybe I wouldn’t have hired you’ — it could be right and you will know what to develop for next time.
Asking for feedback
It is always good to gather information from different sources. There is a lot you could learn from the company you applied to. Asking for feedback can be difficult, so it helps to go into it with a plan. In order to get the best feedback, there are a few things to keep in mind.
1: Timing is key
If you want to receive feedback on your application, do not wait too long to ask for it, especially when it comes to an interview. Memory is a funny thing. Do you remember what you ate for lunch last Wednesday? Probably not, but you might remember what you ate yesterday. If your goal is to find out what you did well and what to improve on, you don’t even have to wait for the decision on your application. You can request your feedback as early as your interview ends by sending an email shortly after.
2: Be goal-oriented
It is important to be goal-oriented when asking for feedback. Going back through your self-evaluation conclusions is a great way to decide what to focus on. Your goal could be to better understand what you did well and what you need to improve upon. Maybe you want to know how your personality came across or if you gave the correct answers to technical questions. Maybe you want to make sure you properly understood the profile they were looking for. Having a goal in mind can help you ask the right questions — and it’s asking the right questions that shows you the way towards improvement.
3: Be specific
When you are requesting feedback, be specific. Now, please don’t ask for an evaluation of every single answer you gave. Rather, think again about your self-reflection and keep your goal in mind. For example, if you concluded that you potentially lacked technical knowledge, instead of requesting feedback in general, ask about those aspects of the interview. Specifically asking what competencies you were missing for the role, can help you better understand the profile the recruiters are looking for. That, in turn, can help you better prepare for the next opportunity.
By comparing your own evaluation and that of the recruiter, you can gain a deeper understanding of where you shine and what you need to work on. Having that specific insight can help you grow and progress faster in your journey to finding your dream-job. Didn’t meet the requirements? Try searching for more suitable roles. Didn’t get the invite to the interview? Boost your CV, keep it short, relevant, and showcase your skills. Didn’t get through the interview? Prepare and practise!
Looking for a job can be challenging and it’s a stressful experience for everyone. Going into it with the right mindset and the right tools can definitely help! It’s important to remember that sometimes, things don’t work out right away, and that might be for the better. While doing all the preparation, remember to take care of yourself and enjoy the learning process. Even if you didn’t get the job this time, there are many opportunities out there and your chance will come!
