Please note that I'm asking for getting feedback after tech interview, which is different from other interview stages from my opinion.
I had tech interview in a form of a coding exercise for a startup (I applied for the second developer position).
A week after my coding exercise the HR person got back to me, and told me that my code wasn't up to the standard they are looking for. I asked if it's possible to get some feedback about my code because I felt, that I did my best. He told me, that the developer is very busy, but he will try to get feedback (I guess he just wanted to shake me off).
I think I have the right to get feedback for the following reasons:
- If they have a standard, it must be easy to provide well defined feedback on my code.
- It's not like I'm asking their opinion about my personality (which is harder to explain, and a more sensitive topic).
- They gave my a coding exercise, what I can publish online anytime (maybe to get feedback from others). I was handling the description confidentally, so that they can reuse it for other interviews. I know it's not a huge deal to come up with a new one, but if they already gave this to some applicants, it's easier to compare the them based on the same exercise.
- If I think about their hiring process it was just a waste of time for me, and I couldn't even learn from it.
So my question is: Should I contact the developer? (I can IM him or send an email). Does it count as blackmailing if I say I'll try to get feedback online about my code if he can't provide me any?