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NB: The question of asking for feedback when none has been given has been posed. My question is about getting written feedback when oral feedback already has been given.

I was recently rejected after having gone through every interview round (of which there were 7). The firm was insistent that they deliver the rejection orally (in my case via Skype), along with feedback from the process. They were so insistent, that they actually tried to contact me on a Friday, but left me hanging until the end of Monday to deliver the news and feedback.

Problematically, my memory for their feedback points is understandably hazy. I emailed them asking if they wouldn't mind sending me their feedback notes, to which they replied that they couldn't.

Why would this be? They were willing and insistent on having this discussion with me, why would they be so unwilling to give me the bullet points that guided it?

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jonathan3692bf
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  • I'm sincerely interested in their feedback, but can't really remember the specifics. – jonathan3692bf Jun 10 '15 at 11:33
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    They gave you the feedback. You weren't paying attention. Your problem. Nobody owes you anything. ESPECIALLY a fishing expedition into their notes. They didn't have to give you feedback in the first place. If you want to ask about something specific that you're hazy about, make a request SPECIFICALLY for that information. Right now, every minute they spend interacting with you is a minute that they could and should spend on something else. Like taking care of their workflow. – Vietnhi Phuvan Jun 10 '15 at 11:35
  • I respect the utility argument you're making, but it seems somewhat at odds with the company's behaviour. If they wanted me to have feedback, why would they be opposed to sending me along the verbatim copy of their bullet points? – jonathan3692bf Jun 10 '15 at 11:37
  • Were you or weren't you asking for their notes? – Vietnhi Phuvan Jun 10 '15 at 11:38
  • "verbatim copy of their bullet points" would imply I am asking for their notes, I suppose. – jonathan3692bf Jun 10 '15 at 11:39
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    Whatever they give you in writing is much easier to use in an anti-discrimination lawsuit against them. – neo Jun 10 '15 at 12:00
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    @VietnhiPhuvan, it's not a simple matter of "not paying attention", it's a difference in how some people absorb & process information. Some people are better able to process written information than spoken. – alroc Jun 10 '15 at 12:45
  • @Alros, then he should have taken notes. Really close to 100% of all companies would not be allowed to give you written feedback on an interview. That leaves them open to lawsuits. It would be stupid and cause for firing if a hiring offical did that. – HLGEM Jun 10 '15 at 13:07
  • @neo evidently yours is the answer. Make it so, and i will select it. – jonathan3692bf Jun 10 '15 at 14:11
  • Why do you assume they have any written notes in the first place. Maybe all their "bullet points" are in their head. You can certainly jot down notes during the feedback or right after – Brandin Jun 10 '15 at 21:24
  • @alroc When someone talks to me, I make sure that I absorb the information they give me. I ask for clarifications and I make them repeat what they said if need be. – Vietnhi Phuvan Jun 11 '15 at 00:10
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    @VietnhiPhuvan Not everyone's brain works the exact same way yours does. Some people (myself included) process & internalize information very differently when it comes via speech than visually (written text). It's not as simple as you seem to think it is. It's a difference in how our brains are wired and it's not easy (or sometimes, not even possible) to consciously override that after 30-plus years. – alroc Jun 11 '15 at 11:17
  • @alroc I agree with everything that you said, but it is also true that life doesn't always give you what you want, you have to make do with what you get. It is rather unusual that the company even bothered giving feedback in the first place (most companies that I know of treat interview candidates as "use and throw" commodities), it would be absurd to ask them, "could you please send me pictures of what you said, because my brain is wired that way?". – Masked Man Jun 12 '15 at 17:16

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Why would this be? They were willing and insistent on having this discussion with me, why would they be so unwilling to give me the bullet points that guided it?

The short answer is that they put themselves at risk to be sued for discrimination. Anything in writing is a smoking gun for these types of things. You are lucky you got feedback at all.

Since you asked for something written and they said no, I would not contact them again. Any potential for you to get a job there in the future will be diminished.

Use this as a lesson for next time you get bad news, focus on what they are saying. Don't focus on the rejection (I'm assuming this was why things are hazy) until later.

Brian Dishaw
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  • While this is good advice, it does not actually address the question. – jonathan3692bf Jun 10 '15 at 14:13
  • @MurphyDanger thank you, you are correct. I've updated my answer. – Brian Dishaw Jun 10 '15 at 14:17
  • I also prefer written feedback to remind myself. So, after the meeting if any feedback is given, I make myself a note for future reference – Brandin Jun 10 '15 at 21:22
  • In many states, by giving this information verbally over a phone call, you cannot record the audio of the call without violating wiretapping laws (assuming you do not first disclose you will be recording), making such 'evidence' inadmissible in a potential future discrimination lawsuit. This is frankly a good policy - listen closely to what they say and don't sue people providing helpful feedback to you. – Panky Oct 18 '23 at 21:42