Ask the Expert Dr. Kathleen Wells is a professional career coach and Director of Coaches That Care. She has coached thousands of clients through the stages of successful career development. Requesting Feedback on Application Q: I just finished a web certificate program at a local college and applied for a job at another university. My resume fit the requirements except for work experience. I did not even get an interview. Should I contact the person in charge of the hiring and ask them for feedback on my application and where it fell short? Could I ask what made their choice stand out? What would be the appropriate way to contact this person? - Eve A: This is an excellent idea! Not all hiring managers can or will give you feedback but it is worth a try. In the meantime use a functional resume that focuses on your training and specific skills instead of actual experience. Help the hiring manager form an impression of you as a professional person with skills that match those in the job description. Then in the interview you can let them know what actual work experience you have. If this is all new to you volunteer anywhere that will allow you to use these new skills so you can build your resume. Do not show the experience as volunteer, let the hiring manager ask. You have to be face to face in an interview for that. Also be prepared to let them know how good you are at these new skills and use the newness of your certificate to your advantage by showing how up to date your knowledge is.