Just ask why

REJECTION: You thought the job interview went well, but you did not get offered the job. In your disappointment, all you want to do is hide. Yet asking the right questions can turn rejection into a learning experience that will help you to get a job somewhere else.

Author John Kador has written a book about job interviews. One chapter deals with handling rejection. Kador suggests writing a note to the recruiter or person who conducted the interview. He says the note could say something like: “Thank you for interviewing me. I understand your decision to go with another candidate and I accept your decision. I’d appreciate any feedback you can give me.”

According to the CareerBuilder job-search website, HR departments are sometimes reluctant to provide “straightforward” feedback, because they fear lawsuits. But if you tell them that you will not contact the company again for at least a year after receiving their comments, recruiters are more likely to be open with you.

Be polite, be honest — and be yourself.

In any case, you should always send a thank-you note, John Kador says in 301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview. This will make you stand out from other job candidates and makes a good impression on recruiters. They will be more likely to think of you the next time there is a job opening at their company.

In your thank-you note, you can provide extra information (for example, links to articles or websites) that might be useful to the recruiter or the company. You can even suggest another potential candidate for the job. But whatever you do, make sure you feel comfortable with your approach to the company. There is no point in offering more than you can give or in using language that is unfamiliar to you. Be polite, be honest — and be yourself.