Hiring manager accidentally sends job candidate feedback on their interview, revealing their true thoughts, candidate considers using it for the next interview: ‘They said I lacked enthusiasm’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Aug 16, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

Everyone gets at least one call in their life telling them that they didn't get the job they were after. They also heard the hiring manager come up with a lousy excuse as to why they didn't hire them, something awfully general that lacks anything that might help them in the future.

Oh, what we would have done for just a little bit of honesty and actual constructive criticism.

Luckily for the job candidate in the story below, they were actually given that criticism, but not on purpose. After their Zoom interview, the interviewer accidentally sent them the feedback they were meant to send to the rest of the hiring team. Suddenly, this job candidate had all the information they needed and knew exactly what they needed to improve for the next step in the hiring process.

Is that a blessing in disguise? Or do you think it would have been better to not know what interviewers think of you, without any filters? Keep scrolling to read the discussion below and let us know what you think in the comments!

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10541404416
    via sturti

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    I was accidentally sent the interviewers’ feedback of me after I logged off our Zoom call!

    After logging off Zoom in what I thought had been a good interview, I receive an email from Fathom with a full rundown of the interview.
    via Attorneyatlau
  • 03
    The interviewer's thoughts on me, and their to-do list for the week! They said I lacked enthusiasm and energy as opposed to other candidates.
    via Attorneyatlau
  • 04
    And that my communication style was "more subdued" compared to others they'd talked to. I suppose it's not the worst feedback but it ks to hear. S
    via Attorneyatlau
  • 05
    I don't have this "energy" they're looking for. I'm always super calm in interviews and generally laid back, so I wonder if I just need to kick it up a notch?!
    via Attorneyatlau
  • 06
    In any case, I just received an email inviting me to an in- person meeting later this week. Do I just pretend I didn't see the recap and change up my personality?
    via Attorneyatlau
  • 07
    For this next meeting?! Has anyone else accidentally received feedback after an interview?
    via Attorneyatlau
  • 08
    Outside a Job Interview Room
    via sitthiphong

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 09
    An1mal-Styl3 This is actually great for you. Interviewing is tough and getting honest feedback on interviews is even tougher. This will help you improve moving
    via An1mal-Styl3
  • 10
    forward. Don't make it awkward. But I would reply and let them know they accidentally sent it to you, and that even though it was accidental, you'll take the feedback and improve
    via An1mal-Styl3
  • 11
    in the next interview. Showing that you can take constructive criticism and grow is a huge plus.
    via An1mal-Styl3
  • 12
    AwkwardInspection818 I wouldn't say anything. You have an in person meeting so I would use this feedback and have more enthusiasm and energy.
    via AwkwardInspection818
  • 13
    Organic-Second2138 This is valuable intel. I would NOT mention it. I would tweak things just a tiny bit. "I want to really be clear that I'm
    via Organic-Second2138
  • 14
    super interested in the position" as an affirmative statement rather than just "AcTinG ExCiTed." I might internally process this is a Yellow Flag as well.
    via Organic-Second2138
  • 15
    ctrldwrdns And yet if you were enthusiastic they'd see that as a red flag too, can't win
    via ctrldwrdns
  • 16
    No-North1748 I've been thereabout 9-10 years ago, I used to walk into interviews trying to "act" the way I thought the company wanted me to. Over time, I
    via No-North1748
  • 17
    realized it's far better to show up as myself. If they don't like me for who I am, then it's simply not the right fit. Never change your personality. for anyone. If you naturally
    via No-North1748
  • 18
    have a calmer energy and they weren't into that, then it's not the place for you. Keep pushing forward your door will open! ^^^
    via No-North1748
  • 19
    ShipComprehensive543 I would not say anything but leverage the info. Also, the person who sent it likely realizes and hopes that for whatever reason, you will forget about it. This is great intel to have.
    via ShipComprehensive543
  • 20
    Internal_Set_6564 I would likely send a " Thank you for the insight. It was kind of you to let me know, and I try to take feedback and make adjustments."
    via Internal_Set_6564
  • 21
    Basically making it seem like you think they intended to send it to you. While it may be safer to not say anything, I tend to go for the
    via Internal_Set_6564
  • 22
    "thanks for the help" route due to some insight by Dr. Franklin. Someone who thinks they have done you a favor will tend to keep doing you favors.
    via Internal_Set_6564

  • While it's hard to read such hard criticism, it's definitely helpful to have the tools one might need to secure a job. Hopefully, they will get the job, and this will all be a funny story they can leave behind them…

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