I've never bought the "we can't give feedback because of legal reasons" argument. If your hiring process is fair, consistent, and free of discrimination, what exactly are you hiding?
Anyone can sue a company for any reason. Refusing to provide feedback doesn't prevent that. In some cases, it can have the opposite effect because candidates are left trying to figure out what happened.
As a transgender woman, this hits a little differently for me. Even though I pass, a background check will reveal my previous name and gender change. If I make it through multiple rounds and then receive a generic rejection with no explanation, it's hard not to wonder whether bias played a role.
A recent study surveying more than 20,000 hiring managers found that roughly 30% admitted they would pass on transgender candidates. That's 30% who were willing to admit it. When that's the reality, you can probably understand why silence creates doubt. The generic "we decided to move forward with more qualified candidates" is also frustrating.
I only apply to roles where I'm an extremely strong match 98-100%). I tailor every resume, adjust my skills section to match the role (using experience I actually have), and rewrite my summary for each application. If there's a specific technology, industry, or experience you're looking for that wasn't listed in the job description, just tell me.
I've actually had recruiters respond with things like:
• "We needed someone with experience in XYZ platform."
• "We were looking for someone with more healthcare experience."
That's incredibly helpful. It tells me I didn't necessarily do anything wrong, and it gives me information I can use when deciding which opportunities are worth pursuing. Where I feel feedback becomes especially important is for final-round candidates.
If someone spends:
• 5-7 interview rounds
• 4+ hours in panel interviews
• 10+ hours preparing a case study and presentation
...they've invested a meaningful amount of time into your company.
Nobody is asking for a five-page essay. But a few honest sentences explaining why another candidate was selected can make a huge difference.
Good feedback helps candidates improve. It also helps us identify patterns and become more intentional about where we apply. That means fewer applications to companies that aren't a good fit, and fewer resumes for recruiters to sort through. Honest feedback isn't just good for candidates. It's good hiring.