What's the proper way to ask why you weren't considered for a job? I applied for a position I think I was a pretty darn good fit for and spent days crafting and polishing the best cover letter I've ever written. I know two of the members of the hiring committee, both of whom have heaped praise of me for the work I've done. With all that I figured I had to be a top candidate. However, I was totally dumbfounded yesterday when I got an email that they offered the position to someone else and I didn't even get an interview.
Certainly I want to find out why I wasn't considered for this job but I've applied for so many jobs over the last couple years I thought I would be great for and can't even get an interview it makes me wonder if there's something out there that's scares people off. I've googled my name and all that comes up is obituaries of relatives and stuff my college baseball career. I've gotten 2 speeding tickets, both over 10 years ago, but no criminal record. After being a stay at home parent for 6 years there's a big gap in my work history which I could see as being a detriment. But I filled that time volunteering with a few different organizations and taking leadership roles with them and include that on my resume.
So basically, how can I approach the people I know on the committee without sounding angry or bitter about it (even though I am, by the way)?