You got rejected. It happens to everyone, including people who are very good at their jobs.
The default response is to move on quickly. Apply somewhere else. Do not dwell. This is understandable, but it is leaving one of the most useful data points in your job search on the table.
Send your feedback request within 48 hours of receiving the rejection. Recruiters have short memories. After a week, the details blur. Do not wait.
The messages that get responses are short, specific, and professional. They do not guilt-trip or express disappointment.
This works:
"Thank you for letting me know. I really enjoyed learning about the role and the team. If you are able to share any brief feedback on how I could have performed better, I would be genuinely grateful — I am always looking to improve."
Using Loopback, this message is sent automatically on your behalf with a 60-second structured form attached.
When feedback comes back, resist the urge to be defensive. Read it as data, not judgement.
Look for patterns. One recruiter saying your communication was unclear might be their opinion. Four recruiters saying it across different companies is something to address.
One piece of feedback is useful. Ten pieces over six months tells you something important about yourself as a professional.
Patterns emerge. You start to understand not just whether you are getting rejected, but why — and where your genuine competitive advantages lie. That knowledge compounds.
The job search is a data problem. Feedback is the data. Start collecting it.