Ask HN: Why isn't there any feedback for job finders?

I've considered this an issue for a long time. What's even more annoying is when you apply and don't even get the courtesy of an acknowledgement. I've thought for a while that some enterprising job application software startup could add a 'be polite' function which would automatically reply back to someone after X days if the employer decided not to follow up.<p>But as someone else mentioned, we're (in the US) such a 'lawsuit happy' place that many companies are likely fearful of committing anything in writing which would come back to haunt them. Even truthful, as in "based on your application, you're not qualified to work here", might offend someone.<p>Personally, I think that excuse is a bit overblown, and I suspect it's more a factor of people being lazy or overworked when they don't reply.<p>What does a company get out of spending time replying to applicants they've turned down? A reputation of being professional, perhaps even 'outstanding'. When getting totally ignored becomes the norm, even getting a polite 'no thanks' acknowledgement might be something to make you think twice about that company and how you refer to them in the future.<p>Also, many companies could do well to post on a blog the types of candidates they're looking for, explain the process, and perhaps even give genericized examples of things to avoid in an application, based on the previous applicants. This would help get them a better prepared applicant, making the process a bit easier for them.

In the end, you're most likely going to get rejected for a bunch of common reasons:<p>1 - Someone else appeared to be clearly better than you (see 2,3,4,5)<p>2 - You didn't have good enough communications skills<p>3 - You didn't have enough 'perceived experience' or the right set of skills<p>4 - You don't appear to be a good fit, personality-wise<p>5 - You priced yourself over what they thought you were worth<p>#2 and #3 are what most candidates need to work on. Communicating that whatever skills they have are more than satisfactory, preventing #1. On the other hand, if your personality rubs the interviewer the wrong way (#4), there's usually possibility to recover.<p>In the end, most people don't need explicit feedback. They just need to pay attention to the verbal and non-verbal cues given off by the interviewer. Unless the interviewer is negotiating compensation, there's usually no need for him/her to have a poker face. 9 times out of 10, you'll get clues as to what the interviewer isn't liking about you.

From HR's perspective, why spend time writing about why you didn't hire somebody? There is nothing positive that can come out of it, it takes time and effort, and it's possible that it will create a whole prolonged dialogue about something that is done and done.<p>However, there's no downside for you politely asking for a reason why. On one occasion when I thought the interview went great but wasn't hired, I sent a polite and well-phrased e-mail to the HR department. It stated that I understand they didn't feel I was suited for the job, and that I was perfectly OK with that, but if they could provide me with a reason why it would aide me a lot in my job search. I got an excellent response back citing reasons why they didn't think I was a good fit, and it was actually quite helpful.<p>So, try asking in a respectful manner that shows you are not resentful and are truly seeking to better your future prospects, and see what happens.

"Why are companies reluctant to give feedbacks for interviewees?"<p>What's in it for the company other than a potential lawsuit if they say something inappropriate?

If you guys can give a general advice to start for a fresh bachelor graduate who doesn't have enough experiences but really want to join a startup in as an entry-level position or as an intern, what would it be?<p>I need to get a job in a period at most two months :(.

There is no harm in asking. I have been conducting interviews for developers in the past couple of days, and I have given honest feedback to everyone who came by. Although HR is not my full time job or specialization..