Why Companies Keep Candidate Feedback So General

Many candidates wonder why employers rarely explain the real reason for rejection.
In reality, this is not a matter of politeness – it is a matter of law, compliance, and risk management. Around the world, especially in Europe and the United States, strict regulations such as GDPR and EEOC define how companies can communicate feedback.

In Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) treats any comment related to a candidate’s personality, communication style, or motivation as personal data. This information can be shared or stored only with explicit consent and a clear legal purpose. To stay compliant, recruiters are advised to provide neutral and minimal feedback.

In the United States, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects candidates from discrimination based on factors such as age, gender, race, disability, or religion. Even one poorly worded sentence may be interpreted as bias, which can expose a company to legal action.

For that reason, many organizations use neutral phrases such as: “We decided to move forward with a candidate whose experience more closely matches our current needs.” While this may sound impersonal to candidates, it reflects a company’s responsibility to ensure fairness, confidentiality, and legal safety.

How candidates can still receive valuable insights

The best approach is to shift the question from “Why was I rejected?” to “What could I improve for similar opportunities in the future?”
This small change helps recruiters share constructive and development-focused feedback without crossing legal or ethical boundaries.

In today’s global recruitment landscape, clear communication must also be compliant.
What seems like a lack of openness is often a sign of professional integrity and respect for data privacy.

PRO-Global Search – executive search and talent advisory across Europe, the Middle East, and the CIS.
We combine precision, compliance, and transparency to create a positive experience for both clients and candidates.