Is interview feedback genuine?

PrinceMax

I've been unemployed now for 11 months. In the area that I'm really looking for employment in, I've been for three interviews. I got refused all three jobs, but two of the employers sent feedback. Both said I gave an excellent interview, that I demonstrated enthusiasm. If I'm so damn good at interviews why can't I get a job then? The only job offers I have been able to get are for scam sales companies and night time call centre work. One of the positions I went for that I got feedback from wasn't even a paid position.
Question, should I be hopeful about the feedback or is it just nonsense they send to everyone to make them feel better about being refused?

saol alainn

After, like yourself, countless interview feedbacks with things like 'impressive' and 'cannot see any problem', I have also come to that same conclusion. In three cases, after leaving the interview very confident in my chances, I didn't even get a by-yer-leave. Not even a 'we regret..'. Very, very demoralising. So even though positive feedback is not something to be relied on, it's better than nothing. At least they took the time to write.

PrinceMax

saol alainn wrote: »

After, like yourself, countless interview feedbacks with things like 'impressive' and 'cannot see any problem', I have also come to that same conclusion. In three cases, after leaving the interview very confident in my chances, I didn't even get a by-yer-leave. Not even a 'we regret..'. Very, very demoralising. So even though positive feedback is not something to be relied on, it's better than nothing. At least they took the time to write.

Well actually, I had to write to one of them to find out if the position had been filled. Within 10 minutes I got back a reply saying how great my interview was etc... The thing is I can't imagine that the administrative assistant went to ask the people that interviewed me what they thought. The only other way she could have known is if the interviewers had discussed it with her, which seems unlikely. Fed up with applying for jobs.

Cavehill Red

I interviewed some people for a position the other week.
I just finished sending off interview feedback to them all. After all, they were good enough to groom themselves, travel to my office, and undergo an interview at a time of my choosing. I think the least I can do is respond with a little more than yay or nay.
Inevitably, only one person got the one job. That doesn't mean the other candidates weren't impressive. It means that I only had the one job on offer, and the most impressive candidate claimed it.
I've no interest in lying to people who came for interview. If I say I'll keep their info on file in case something else comes up, then I will. If I say they were a strong candidate they were. If I say I think the position isn't best suited for their skills, that's what I mean.
Obviously, I'm not going to tell people 'You didn't get the job, plus, you looked crap, couldn't answer my questions, are underqualified, and turned up late.'
I don't see a reason to be cruel to anyone like that, especially someone who's doing the right thing by trying to find work and not be a burden on society.
But I'm not going to tell such a candidate that they were strong, or impressive.
I imagine most employers are the same in this regard. There is no upside to being dishonest with interview candidates, just as there is no upside for candidates to be dishonest with me.

drunkmonkey

No it's not genuine, if they liked you and thought you fitted the business they would have hired you.
I wouldn't be afraid to ask at the end of an interview for their opinion before they wrap up, let them tell you their concerns about you and see can you alleviate them. Throw it up to them "Do you think from our interview I fit the position?"

It worked for me in one interview where, they said straight out they had reservations and gave the reasons when I asked, I made them feel confident they were making the right decision. Got the Job.

jameshayes

From being an interviewer - yes, feedback that I gave was always genuine - to be honest, there is nothing worse than a bad interviewee and i always done as much as possible.

Dont forget, you may be very impressive, and you may be a great fit for the job but there may be someone slightly better

Cute Hoor

Would agree with Cavehill & JamesHayes here. If somebody goes to the trouble of giving you interview feedback (which they should imo) then you should accept it for what it is, only one person can get the job after all. Most interviewers won't want to hurt your feelings either, so they might be giving you negative feedback in as positive a way as possible, which you need to pay particular attention to.

Good luck to all in your efforts and keep looking for the feedback and learn from it.

flash harry

The problem here can be trying to be too nice - "you were really really good but someone else got it(who was better)" may lead to no change in the persons interview technique, and is of no benefit to them as a learning tool.

Too honest can be borderline hurtful but I think it can be relayed in a positive manner - "you need to convey your management experience in a more specific way" as opposed to "you dont have management experience".

Another problem, time to shoot the recruiter, is that most candidates THINK they are good/suitable for a given job, and may have even got to interview stage on the back of how they portrayyed a skill on their CV, so when you give feedback along the lines of "your xyz skills are not quite as strong as we'd like" you can get a "I have 10 yrs xyz experience, I'm brilliant at it" type attitude, making it easier for the person giving feedback to say - you were great, we just happened to find someone even more suitable.....

IMHO

FH

miec

Hi Op

I do think the feedback is largely genuine from recruiters/ employers. Like you though I haven't bagged a job yet, one job I went for I know I gave a good interview and I believed the HR person that I was enthusiastic but basically the candidate who got the job had much more experience than me so that may be the case with you. You probably give brilliant interviews but if some else fits the bill perfectly, they are going to go for them. I think the whole job seeking situation can be as random as the lottery in ways. I have put my heart and soul into some applications and not heard a word and in other job applications I haven't put as much effort and I get an interview, which I find very weird. Don't get me wrong when I get an interview I research the company like hell. The only question I ask myself when I am going for an interview is 'how can I reassure the employer that I am the right candidate for the job' then go through the job description and key skills and systematically answer each question and give a detailed account of how you can do that, condense it and use it in the interview (I did this for my last two interviews - I'll know the outcome at the end of this week, so if it works I'll let you know). I would take it that you come across well in interviews, just build on it but know that it is incredibly tough and they may be selecting candidates on stuff you don't know about.