You started off excited, anticipating the best year yet. You were looking for a new ministry option where you could fulfill your calling. Maybe it was for another reason. You wanted to change jobs, church, city, or even state. The reason is not essential for now. The best is yet to come, you told yourself. You hyped yourself up. You got ready. You updated your resume. You were confident in your interview. And then, you didn’t get the job<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may have received the news in one of three ways. An email was sent, or even a letter. It could have been a (very) short phone call or Zoom meeting. Or the worst possible way, you\u2019ve been \u201cghosted.\u201d The turndown is an unhappy and unpleasant feeling. The sting of rejection, feeling of failure, or not being enough are hard pills to swallow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So what happened? To figure out why you didn’t get the job, let’s consider a few very important factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First off, the employer, interviewer, or even the recruiting agency doesn\u2019t have to give you the detailed answer you want. I know, it\u2019s displeasing, if not troublesome. You can fill in with your preferred adjective here! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This part is frustrating, but it is important to remember that the employer knows exactly what candidate the company needs. Unfortunately, if you are not the one they\u2019re looking for, they have the right to choose someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do get an answer, it’s usually a reason like, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You get the gist. Yet, before you ask for reasons you haven\u2019t been chosen, consider taking another step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As painful as this measure can be, it is necessary to look back at the process and ask yourself some tough questions. And give yourself honest answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Was your resume or any other document written without any grammatical errors? If not, that is something you can correct easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you have all the requirements the organization coveted? Your Bachelor\u2019s degree may be outstanding, but perhaps they were looking for someone with a Master\u2019s. If you didn\u2019t have their fundamental essentials, you partly have your explanation there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Were you prepared for questions? Most of the time, the questions tend to be the same for each interview. You need to have an elevator pitch about yourself and your accomplishments. Were you ready to highlight your competencies and achievements with clarity and brevity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you connect with the people you met over the phone, online, or in person? Connection is an absolute necessity. That invisible bond is different from just being able to talk with the interviewer. It\u2019s about building rapport, and you would be aware if it was there or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can surf the organization\u2019s website to discover who they finally hired. This might sting a little bit, but you\u2019ll be able to uncover some of the reasons for not being chosen. Was there a gap in the education, skill set, and experience between you and the chosen candidate? There\u2019s part of the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read again the refusal note you received or recall the last conversations. The interviewer possibly let some information leak. Listen carefully to what they wrote or said; it will be important in your official ask for a reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last but not least, be okay, really okay, with their decision. This is a must for you if you want to keep searching for other opportunities. It is the employer\u2019s decision and not being chosen doesn\u2019t mean that you are incapable or incompetent. This rejection is a choice on their part and even if it hurts, it does not have to affect your sense of calling and self-worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next step is to reach out to your contact in the interview process. An email will suffice. Politely ask if it would be possible to get some feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key is the wording you use. Assemble your words so that you\u2019re asking for feedback for your personal growth. It\u2019s not about questioning their judgment; it\u2019s about using their knowledge for your betterment. You do have to understand that the employer does not owe you an answer, but many will give you some food for thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second part of asking is to formulate your question into something specific: Can you give me feedback on my interview?<\/em> won\u2019t cut it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What exactly do you want to know? Why weren\u2019t you hired? They have potentially told you in the form of \u201csearching in another direction\u201d or \u201cwe\u2019re looking for a candidate that suits better our requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are character traits you can decide to put forward when you don’t get the job. After all, your good character will always follow you wherever you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if you find out you haven’t been selected, choose gratefulness and positivity over bitterness and resentment. You do so by showing godly character in four aspects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below are a few examples you can use to ask why you didn\u2019t get the job:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo whom it may concern, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to meet you and know your organization better. It gave me a glimpse of the good work you accomplish at XYZ. As I continue my job search to find the best fit, could you tell me 1 or 2 things I can improve to be considered for such a role? I will certainly take to heart your feedback as I want to be the best (insert job title here) possible. Thank you for your time and guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDear [Name], thank you for keeping me in the loop of your hiring process. Though the result is not what I desired, I appreciate the opportunity I had to connect with you and the organization. In the spirit of growth, I would certainly make good use of any feedback you could give me on skills I can improve to become a better candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHello [Name], I wanted to share that your diligence in this hiring process has been impeccable. I\u2019m grateful you let me know of your decision. I had the privilege to discover a great ministry within (XYZ organization). If you could provide me feedback on what about my skills or experience made you go with other candidates, it would surely allow me to grow and passionately pursue my calling. Thank you for your time and consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no secret ingredient to discovering why you didn\u2019t get the job. Accept the fact you didn\u2019t, even with the accompanying pain, be grateful to the hiring manager, and smith your words in a way to get feedback. You may not have gotten the job but perhaps you can gain knowledge and feedback to ready yourself for your next interview and land your dream job!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some common questions Christian job seekers might ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s generally respectful to wait about a week after receiving a rejection before contacting the hiring manager for feedback. This shows professionalism and patience while allowing the employer to complete any final steps with the chosen candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, reapplying can be a good option, especially if you\u2019ve acquired new skills or experiences since the last application. Tailor your application to highlight these updates and show your dedication to the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider sending a polite LinkedIn connection request or email expressing your interest in future opportunities. Staying in touch professionally can keep you on their radar for future openings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Was this article helpful? You might also enjoy:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You started off excited, anticipating the best year yet. You were looking for a new ministry option where you could fulfill your calling. Maybe it was for another reason. You wanted to change jobs, church, city, or even state. The reason is not essential for now. The best is yet…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":156,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-interview-advice","category-job-search"],"yoast_head":"\nWhen You Ask, Be Gracious<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Examples of How To Ask Why You Didn’t Get the Job<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Example 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Example 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Example 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prepare For What’s Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. How long should I wait before reaching out for feedback?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Can I apply to the same organization again after being rejected?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. How should I maintain connections with interviewers after a rejection?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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