We’ve talked about job search groups and job search partners in the past; but one of the most important aspects of making any collaborative job search effort effective is being able to give and receive constructive feedback. Let’s take a look at some tips that might be helpful:

1. First, understand what constructive feedback really means.  True constructive feedback is information-specific, issue-focused, and based on observations. In other words, saying someone’s resume is unprofessional is a lot different than saying “your resume is too short and has several spelling errors.”  If you want your collaborative job search effort to be effective and even enjoyable, stay away from general criticisms and stick with specific feedback.
2. Constructive feedback is not always negative, it can be positive.  But even positive feedback should be specific, issue focused and based on real observations.  For example, “Saying your cover letter format is correct and addressed all of the employer’s questions” is a lot better than simply saying “Great cover letter!” Well, you can say “great cover letter” just don’t forget to tell your job search partner why it’s so great, because of course we all love compliments.
3. When giving constructive feedback, remember to be direct, sincere and honest.  Don’t say you like the way your job search partner did something, when in fact you think what they did was incorrect and could harm their search.  If you do that, you aren’t being fair. Both you and your job search partner deserve honest feedback that can help improve the job search process.
4. Avoid, telling your job search partner something in a manner or in a situation that could embarrass them.  In other words, no yelling, snide tones or nasty looks and don’t try to humiliate them in the presence of others, especially potential employers.
5. If you are the one receiving feedback, be open, listen and thank your job search partner for their feedback whether it was negative or positive and even if you did not agree with what they said.