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Nobody likes criticism. It’s uncomfortable, sometimes brutal, and can make you want to crawl into a hole. But if you’re serious about improving your chances in the job market, you need to toughen up and learn how to use feedback to your advantage.
Not all criticism is created equal, but knowing how to handle it (without sulking or throwing your laptop out the window) can be the difference between staying stuck and levelling up. Here’s how to turn even the harshest critique into career gold.
1. Stop Taking It Personally
Feedback isn’t a personal attack (unless your interviewer says, “You smell weird”—then, well, maybe address that). The key is separating your self-worth from constructive criticism. Hiring managers, recruiters, and colleagues give feedback because they see potential. If they thought you were hopeless, they wouldn’t bother.
2. Ask the Right Questions
If you get rejected from a job or passed over for a promotion, don’t just sulk—ask for specific feedback. Questions like:
“What could I have done better?”
“Are there particular skills I should work on?”
“Would you consider me for future opportunities?”
By asking these, you show maturity, resilience, and a willingness to improve—all qualities that make you a stronger candidate.
Worst case? They ignore you. Best case? You get valuable insights that help you smash the next opportunity.
3. Learn to Spot Useful vs. Useless Feedback
Not all criticism is worth your time. If someone tells you, “You just weren’t the right fit,” that’s frustratingly vague. Push for specifics: “Was it my experience level? My interview responses?” The more detail you get, the more actionable the advice. If they say, “You need to work on explaining your achievements more clearly,” that’s actionable. Focus on feedback that gives you something to improve rather than vague brush-offs.
4. Put It Into Action
Hearing criticism is one thing; doing something about it is another. If a recruiter tells you that your CV is outdated, fix it. If an interviewer says you need more confidence, practice answering questions in the mirror or with a friend/family member. If you keep hearing that your answers lack depth, practice structuring them better. Feedback is useless if you don’t act on it.
5. How VANRATH Can Help
A good recruitment agency won’t just throw you into interviews unprepared—they’ll give you honest feedback on your CV, interview technique, and overall marketability. At VANRATH, we help candidates refine their approach, highlighting their strengths while tackling their weaknesses. Why go it alone when you can have expert guidance?
So, yes, criticism can sting. But learning how to handle it—and use it to your advantage—can be the difference between staying stuck and landing the job you want. Take the feedback, apply it, and keep pushing forward. Your future employer will thank you for it.