How should I ask for application feedback?

Dear Oracle

How should I ask for feedback after an interview?

The Oracle replies

Most firms give feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at interview, but to get the most benefit, you should approach them in the right way. It is important to accept the employer’s decision rather than trying to convince recruiters that they have made a mistake.

Email the recruiter to ask for feedback – some provide it over the phone, others via email. When you get it, make sure you are polite and grateful for the person's time and that you take on board what they say. For example, if the recruiter said that they needed to see more evidence of commercial awareness, make sure you get to grips with the commercial aspects of the firms you are applying to – research their recent deals, read our Commercial Question section and keep up with legal and business news via LCN’s News section.

Firms receive thousands of applications, so many provide feedback only to those who make the interview stage. If you received a rejection at the application form stage, a great way to assess the quality of your application form is to take a copy of it to the careers service at your university of law school. This article explains how to get the most out of your careers service.

Receiving feedback is also not always about finding that you did something wrong. The competition for training contracts and pupillages is incredibly fierce, so in some cases you can be unsuccessful not because you were bad, but because another candidate was slightly more suited to that particular employer. If you performed strongly but still didn’t get the offer, try not to let it get to you and keep on applying, as you may just not have found the right employer yet.

For more advice, read this blog on dealing with application rejections.