Here's the post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1989713
All too often in the past I've been rejected, and wrote an email or other letter to the company and hiring manager thanking them for their time and consideration, and asking them for feedback on what led them to my rejection, and how I could do better.
Not one has ever answered those questions, so I am left feeling frustrated on how I can improve myself for future interviews and job opportunities. The best I can do is reflect on the interview, think about what my own strengths and weaknesses were during it, and try to recall anything else that I might have said or done that reflected poorly on my candidacy. Then work to fix those for my next interview.
Eventually with perseverance, I've always managed to land a new position, but it would have been much easier with feedback. I couldn't even imagine getting offers for introduction to other openings, or even mentoring. If only such opportunities were made to candidates, what a difference could be made!
Many people don't take feedback well, some will attempt to argue or enumerate via a review site the details on why they believe the company made the wrong decision.
Any feedback has some risk of being construed as discrimination. The accusation alone can have huge negative impact on a company's reputation. Better just not to risk it.
Sometimes feedback can leak company info, IE we're looking for a candidate with more experience in X because .. left or we're starting work on Y product. This is also a risk esp. in the not unlikely event that the candidate ends up working for a competitor.
I don't care if I don't get the job. Applying for jobs is like dating. If they don't want you, you didn't want it anyway. There will be other jobs.
Unless you set your entire life on working at Google or whatever and then fail. Then, sure, go and roll into a ball in the corner and cry.
That's a completely self-imposed situation, though. Setting appropriate expectations is key to happiness in life.
