Q: I recently interviewed for a job and was invited to an initial meeting where candidates were given a group interview. I didn’t get selected for a followup interview. What do you suggest I do to improve so I can possibly get considered in the future?
A: I had a similar thing happen to me early in my career. I interviewed for an advanced internship in food and beverage, and it came down to me and another candidate who had the foods experience. They thanked me for my time, and I asked them if I could sit down with them to develop an action plan for what I could do to possibly be considered in the future.
The interviewer didn’t directly meet with me, but instead referred me to the head manager of my department. He suggested that I pursue any experience at all for that summer in food and beverage, and to continue the dialogue with the company for the following summer. I did exactly that; I landed a job working part-time at a front-desk and part-time in a restaurant, and was able to get the experience desired. The next year, I was a shoe-in for the role.
So do what you can to ask the company you just interviewed with for feedback, and once you get that, do what you can to act on it and try again once you get some more experience or training.