Asking for feedback after an interview is a valuable step many job seekers overlook. Whether you got the job or not, understanding how you performed can help you improve in future interviews. It also shows professionalism, a willingness to grow, and an interest in the employer’s perspective. The key is to ask the right way, at the right time. Here is how to ask for feedback after interview.

Before you request feedback, make sure the interview process is officially over. If the company has told you that you were not selected or they’ve made their final hiring decision, then it’s the appropriate time to ask. Don’t rush the process. Give them space to conclude their selection.

If you haven’t heard back after the interview, follow up politely first about the status of your application. Once you get a response, especially if it’s a rejection, that’s your opportunity to ask for feedback.

Email is the most common and professional way to ask for feedback. If you were communicating with the interviewer or a recruiter through email, continue using that same platform. Keep your message short, clear, and courteous.

A phone call is only appropriate if the company had already been using calls to communicate with you. In most cases, email is preferred because it allows the recipient time to think about and write a thoughtful response.