Responding to interview feedback from an employer
Ken Pelczarski | TLT Career Coach January 2020
Responding effectively can clear up misunderstandings and get you back on track as a candidate.
There are many kinds of feedback you may receive from an employer after an in-person, virtual or telephone interview. Much of this feedback could include reasons that the employer is unlikely to pursue you further for the open position.
Listed below are:
1) The most common post-interview feedback comments you may receive from an employer.
2) Response strategies that could enhance your status as a candidate.
• Employer thinks you do not have enough experience.
Your response: You may want to first clarify the number of years of experience the employer desires. Assuming you have significantly less experience than the employer wants, you need to convince them that you have the skill set and capabilities to perform well in the job in the short term.
If you have functioned in a similar role in the past, stress that you have not only performed the job well, but that you have also been highly successful. Otherwise, convey that your foundation of knowledge and education will enable you to be up to speed quickly. Finally, emphasize your motivation to be in this kind of role.
• Employer believes you are overqualified.
Your response: The good news here is that if the employer thinks you are overqualified, they already believe you can do the job. The employer is likely questioning whether you will be bored, unchallenged and/or quickly dissatisfied.
Perhaps you have had direct reports in the past and no longer want the headaches associated with managing people. Maybe you have traveled heavily and now want to settle down in a no-travel role. Perhaps you have had much more responsibility in the past but now simply want to help an employer in a meaningful role with purpose. Whatever the case, you need to convince the employer that the position at hand fits well with your career goals.
• Employer thinks you are short on leadership background.
Your response: The employer likely will prefer a solid leadership background in the same type of position. If you have not managed direct reports in a similar role, stress your leadership experience in other types of positions, including in volunteer roles.
Describe your leadership style as well as how you would expect to manage the team in the role at hand. Stress that the position fits well with your hands-on leadership philosophy. In addition, emphasize if you have unofficially managed people in a similar role and then give examples of the success that you have had.
• Employer says you do not have much experience in the product line.
Your response: If you are interviewing for a sales position, stress how quickly you have learned new products in the past. Also, if you have sold different products to the same markets, emphasize the many relationships that you have built with the employer’s potential customers.
If you are being interviewed for a laboratory position, stress the similarity in chemistry between the two product lines and that you thrive on new learning. Explain how you have an innate ability to learn new technology quickly.
• Employer says you do not have much experience in the company’s markets.
Your response: If you are interviewed for a sales or marketing management position, you will likely need to convince the employer of success you have had in the short term in similar situations with past employers.
Give examples of your history of building close relationships quickly as well as how they have turned into business opportunities.
• Employer states that they want to hire somebody who is more accomplished.
Your response: Tell the employer that you have not had the opportunity in the interview yet to give details of your many career achievements. Offer to provide documentation that includes quantification of your successes.
Stress that you have always exceeded company goals, quotas and expectations. Describe ways in which you have positively affected the company bottom line. Summarize the promotions you have received throughout your career. Forward to the employer a list of any publications, presentations, patents and high achievement awards to your credit if you have not already done so.
• Employer believes your experience is not direct to the job requirements.
Your response: You will need to promote that your experience is even more related than the employer realizes. Provide examples of similar tasks you have tackled with previous employers and the steps that you took to achieve success.
• Employer wants to hire somebody with direct sales experience.
Your response: If you are being interviewed for a sales position and you have not managed a territory in the past, you need to convince the employer of both your motivation and your capabilities.
First, explain that you are focused on working in a direct sales role and the reasons why. State that you have a good idea of what you would be doing day-to-day in a sales role, and it is absolutely what you want. Second, convey the ways you have been gearing up for this type of position, whether it is through sales seminars or through the experience you have had in customer-facing roles.
• Employer says you do not meet the education requirements.
Your response: This could be a tough obstacle to overcome if the employer has a strict policy to hire individuals with a minimum four-year degree and you do not possess one. However, if the employer simply prefers a specific level of education that you do not have, you may be able to alleviate their concern.
You will need to prove to the employer that you are as capable and accomplished as anybody in your field who possesses greater education. Invite the employer to stack up your successes against other individuals with the desired education. Summarize and describe the value of your professional certifications and continuing education seminars. Finally, commit to the employer that you are willing to further your education to what they desire.
• Employer thinks you have had too many jobs.
Your response: This should not be a difficult obstacle to overcome if you have good reasons for changing jobs recently. If your work record is solid over the past 10-15 years, stress your recent job stability.
If you have recently changed jobs every year or two, you will need to be very specific regarding the reasons for leaving each company. In the end, the employer will need to feel comfortable that you will be with them for more than a year or two. It is important to have references handy who will back up your story.
• Employer is worried that you were released from your last job.
Your response: Leaving a job voluntarily is one thing. Being released involuntarily is entirely different. You will first need to learn the reason on record for you being released so you know what you are up against. Be sure to mention if you were not the only employee that was released.
A prospective employer will be concerned if you were let go because of performance, work ethic, integrity or being an unreliable employee. If your performance was deemed to be sub-par, explain if there were unrealistic goals or other extenuating circumstances. If reasons were more personal, be sure to have as many references handy as possible to vouch for you and your character.
• Employer is concerned that you did not get along with your last boss.
Your response: Employers shy away from hiring people who do not get along with others. Stress to the employer that this was an isolated case. Without being overly critical, describe specific situations in which you had difficulty reasoning with your boss. Stay factual and avoid applying a negative label to your past boss.
• Employer has heard questionable things about your industry reputation.
Your response: This is likely a scenario in which a past boss or colleague has an axe to grind. Perhaps someone is bitter about losing to you in a competitive situation, or someone is angry about you leaving their company.
It may be difficult and awkward to learn from the prospective employer who is the person that is speaking negatively about you. Try to at least learn what is being said about you. Tell the employer that you are known for gaining respect and increasing morale among co-workers and subordinates. Again, have references handy to vouch for your character and attempt to prove that this is an isolated case.
• Employer says that your reference did not speak highly of you.
Your response: Like the previously listed point, someone may have an axe to grind with you. It can be especially concerning if an approved reference of yours speaks negatively about you.
It may be difficult to ascertain but attempt to learn who is speaking negatively about you as well as what they are saying. Encourage the employer to look at the consensus of what references are saying, and not put much too much stake into what one individual is saying.
• Employer is concerned that you have not worked in their industry for a few years.
Your response: In this case, you will need to convince the employer that you are not rusty, and that you will be a productive employee in the short term.
Describe all the ways in which you have become ready to re-join the industry. Perhaps you have attended industry seminars and presentations, furthered your formal education or maintained relationships in the industry.
• Employer is wondering why you have been unemployed for a long time.
Your response: The employer may especially be worried about your motivation if you have been unemployed for more than six months. It is a legitimate concern that you need to address.
The employer will be much less concerned, though, if they learn that you have stayed busy and productive during your time of unemployment. Account for your time off work by explaining in some detail what you have been doing. Perhaps you went back to school full-time, did caregiving for family members, helped a friend with a large project, dealt with a temporary health issue or relocated to a new city. Emphasize that you are more motivated than ever to get back to work in your field.
• Employer is worried that you have been consulting for quite a few years and may not adapt to working for somebody again.
Your response: In this case, the employer is probably questioning how you will adapt to working in a team environment and to reporting to a direct boss. Most likely, the longer you have been in a consulting role, the bigger adjustment it will be for you to work for an employer again.
You may feel that you need to work for an employer again because of new developments such as 1.) you lost your biggest client, 2.) you now desire a comprehensive benefit package or 3.) you are tired of the ups and downs of consulting. Whatever the situation, you will need to convince the employer that you remember what it is like to work for an employer and that it will be a short adjustment period.
• Employer has not seen strong signs of interest or enthusiasm from you.
Your response: This could be a tough obstacle to overcome because you ideally would have been displaying interest and enthusiasm from the start of the interview process.
My best recommendation here is to stress to the employer that your interest has grown exponentially since early in the interview process. Explain why your enthusiasm for the opportunity is greater than ever and give specific reasons for your interest. Convey that you have a tremendous passion for the type of work involved in this position. Finally, emphasize that you have taken a close look at the job market, and you do not anticipate finding a better opportunity for the next step in your career.
• Employer is concerned that you have not asked many questions.
Your response: Most employers love questions from a job candidate and believe it is a sign of the person’s interest in the position. You cannot easily argue this point.
You may want to tell the employer that they have answered many of your questions without you even asking. If you did not ask many questions early in the interview process, you certainly want to start right away. Employers almost universally expect you to ask good questions as part of your due diligence.
• Employer thinks you will not be happy in the position and may leave in the short term.
Your response: Employers are frequently wrong about this assumption. They may believe you will be unhappy in the short term because you have not emphasized enough about your anticipated day-to-day satisfaction in the role.
Convey to the employer that you can envision yourself in this position being happy and challenged. In addition, talk about how this opportunity meshes well with your long-term goals and offers the kind of personal growth you desire.
• Employer is concerned that you may retire in the next few years.
Your response: Employers may be worried about you retiring soon because they know your approximate age. First, attempt to learn how many years of employment at a minimum is desired by the employer. You can then alleviate their concern in several ways
You certainly want to express that you do not intend to retire for many years. State the reasons that you want to keep working as well as the reasons you feel you need to work. You may want to state that it is more likely you will still be with the employer five to 10 years from now versus somebody much younger. Finally, emphasize how much you expect to accomplish during your tenure with them as well as your ability to put the company in an excellent position to replace you when the time comes.
• Employer gets the impression that you have a low energy level.
Your response: It may not be easy for an employer to gauge your energy level in an interview setting. You will need to provide the employer with examples of how your high energy level has helped you accomplish a great deal in recent years.
Emphasize examples of high energy such as 1.) working over 40 hours per week, 2.) starting the workday well before 8:00 a.m., 3.) visiting clients under short notice and 4.) traveling extensively overnight.
• Employer is worried about your medical condition and/or physical ability to do the job.
Your response: If you have experienced a recent medical leave, you may need to have a doctor sign off on your ability to function in your regular job. If the employer believes you may not be physically fit enough to do the job, an employment physical should prove your good health.
In some cases, the employer may be concerned about your physical condition because of your age. This is an assumption that may not be based on anything concrete. Give examples of strenuous tasks you have tackled successfully. In addition, you may want to provide references who can vouch for your physical ability.
• Employer believes you are not a good cultural fit.
Your response: The employer’s concern may turn out to be valid, but you may not agree with their initial assessment. You will need to explore more thoroughly how they define their company culture and why they question you fitting in.
If you truly believe that you are a good cultural fit, you may want to give examples of past similar company cultures where you have worked and describe how you thrive in this type of work environment.
• Employer tells you they are going in a different direction.
Your response: This is a common statement from employers when they do not want to provide the true reason they are not interested in pursuing you further. Obviously, you need to try to talk with somebody involved in the interview process who will give you concrete feedback to which you can respond.
If you remain in the dark despite your best attempts to learn more, you will need to think about possible employer concerns. Continue to follow up primarily with the hiring manager to emphasize both your qualifications and your interest in the opportunity.
• Employer says that your salary requirements are too high.
Your response: First, obtain clarification from the employer about their salary range including the ideal maximum. If these figures are in your ballpark, continue to pursue the opportunity and discuss compensation further with the employer.
In the end, the employer will need to feel comfortable with the fact that you will be satisfied long-term with the level of compensation. Express to the employer that you are flexible on salary desired and that their ideal range is in the ballpark of what you would consider. Stress that you will be looking at the overall compensation package, not just salary, and that you want to continue focusing for now on whether 1.) this is a great career step for you, 2.) this is a likely long-term fit, 3.) you can achieve the objectives in the role and 4.) you will be satisfied and challenged day to day.
• Employer states that you are one of two finalists for the position.
Your response: When you hear this positive feedback, you will want to maintain strong communication with the employer and keep the process moving. This will help ensure that no additional candidates enter the picture.
Attempt to learn from the hiring manager the specifics of any concerns they may have about you as well as how they view your strengths and how their hiring decision will be based. You will then be prepared to reinforce your strengths, minimize any concerns or weaknesses and focus on areas that will most influence their hiring decision. Inquire about any additional information you can provide that will help them make their final decision.
• Employer states that you are a strong candidate, but they would like to interview more people.
Your response: In this scenario, either the employer is not 100% convinced of your qualifications and interest, or they need to be sure that they will not find a stronger candidate than you. The problem with this thinking is that they will never know for sure if there is a stronger candidate out there waiting in the wings.
Ideally, you can first learn from the employer if there is any reason they would not hire you. If the employer answers that they are 100% convinced of your abilities and the overall fit, you need to try to stimulate them to take hiring action soon. Express to the employer that if they already have a good feel for the candidate market, but just have not interviewed many candidates, they are playing the percentages by hiring somebody like you without waiting to do more interviewing. If the employer waits, there is always the chance that you will not be available later.
• Employer does not want to wait for the one to two months that you need before starting employment.
Your response: You may have stated to the employer that there would be a delay in your start date, perhaps because you are relocating, or you are waiting to receive an end-of-year bonus. These are reasons that the employer should understand. However, they still may want their new hire to be on board quicker.
You should have a good argument to still be their top candidate if the employer does not have an equally strong candidate who they know can start employment much quicker than you can. Your best argument, though, is to convince the employer that you are worth the wait because it will be difficult for them to find a candidate with your overall qualifications and motivation.
• Employer prefers to find a local candidate.
Your response: Express to the employer that under normal circumstances you would completely understand their preference. You can then state how these are not normal circumstances.
Ideally, you will be able to say that they can treat you almost like a local candidate. Be sure to convey if any of the following apply to your situation: 1.) your move would be inexpensive, 2.) you do not need to sell a home, 3.) your entire family is on board with the move, 4.) the position is in a great location for you to settle long-term and 5.) the transition will be quick and smooth.
• Employer is concerned about your non-compete agreement.
Your response: State to the employer that you understand it is important for both parties to take on minimal risk if they hire you. Emphasize that you have determined the risk to be minimal for you personally, and that you have had an attorney review the non-compete agreement. There may not be much to worry about if there will not be a blatant violation of your agreement, and if your current employer has no history of filing lawsuits in this type of situation.
Encourage the employer to first evaluate whether you are their best candidate, and then look at ways to minimize risk by working around the non-compete agreement. Perhaps you could work in a non-competing role until the agreement is no longer in force. You may also be willing to talk openly with your current employer about what you can and cannot do if you leave the company.
• Employer has a policy prohibiting visa sponsorship.
Your response: Many employers have a strict policy against hiring individuals who require visa sponsorship. It would then be difficult to convince the company to make an exception and hire you.
First, make sure you understand why the employer has this policy. They may be worried about the time, money or paperwork that would be involved in sponsoring you. Next, make your best argument about why you are more qualified than most other candidates, and why you are motivated to work hard and be successful in the position.
• Employer has not given you any feedback and you are feeling ghosted.
Your response: This is a difficult situation in which you are being left totally in the dark. The first thing to do is to connect with anybody you can reach at the hiring company, whether it is somebody involved in the interview process or not. Before you can most effectively follow up with the employer, you need to learn updates about the position status including 1.) is the position still open, 2.) is the position on hold, 3.) is the company actively pursuing other candidates and 4.) are you still a candidate.
Once you learn more about the position status and where you stand as a candidate, you can aggressively pursue the opportunity further. If you are not able to learn more but still have a strong interest in the position, it is best to communicate with the hiring manager by email or telephone every few weeks and promote your continued interest.
When you have continued interest in a career opportunity after a job interview, stay in regular contact with the employer to keep the process moving along. The timeliness of your response to the employer after their feedback will be an indicator of your interest.
Interview feedback from employers is often based upon assumptions or misinformation, so be sure to respond with clarifications and/or explanations to clear up questions about your career goals, motivation, qualifications or cultural fit.
Ken Pelczarski is owner and founder of Pelichem Associates, a Chicago-based search firm established in 1985 and specializing in the lubricants industry. You can reach Ken at (630) 960-1940 or at pelichem@aol.com.