HACKER Q&A
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Challenging a Rejection in a Recruitment Process


Has anyone tried, or seen, an applicant try to challenge the feedback in a rejection note trying to turn it around?

In this particular case, the position is not technical, so it's based on judgment of character and mutual understanding.

After three months of a recruitment process, I got a rejection from the CEO and I don't fully agree with half od the feedback - I believe I've been misjudged. (This impression is not only emotional, as I've taken rejections before and didn't mind them)

Has anyone tried this? Any stories?

  👤 jstx1 Accepted Answer ✓
Don't - you won't change anybody's mind and you'll look unprofessional. Zero upside, some potential downside. Just don't.

I think I did this once in my first ever job search after university when I sent an email with feedback on their feedback; it's still kind of embarassing to think about.

👤 daviddever23box
Don’t bother. You may have dodged a bullet.
👤 gdfgjhs
If CEO changes their mind, then they will look weak and indecisive. So they are unlikely to change their mind.

But I have recruiters in my circle and know stories where people challenged rejections and succeeded. All of them were lower level applicants. The hiring managers were overridden by HR or higher level managers. And this whole thing is so rare that whenever it happens I hear about it from my friends.

👤 brudgers
View from a few steps back:

The CEO has made a decision.

You want to argue it.

That's not a good reason for the CEO to hire you.

Because the CEO did not ask for your opinion.

Hence, it is not a good fit.

At this time.

Maybe later.

Maybe not.

But why burn a bridge?

Good luck.