Work one - giving feedback to unsuccessful job candidate

[FleabagTeabag]

Morning

Looking for help with wording some feedback. I've recently recruited for a role, 2 people got through to second stage interviews. Both candidates were very strong, equal on pretty much everything but I gave the job to the person I felt I clicked with a bit more, as I will be working closely with them.

No negatives on the other person at all really, he would have been good in the role too but in the end i could only pick one person!

The unsuccessful candidate has now asked for feedback, which is obviously fine and normally I'm perfectly capable of doing this - as usually it's easy for me to identify one or two shortcomings (for want of a better word) they could work on. But i haven't really been in this situation before, where i can't think of anything to tell them!

Any advice to help me think of what to say?

Thanks

Focus on why you clicked with the other person - was there something about the way they presented themselves? Responded to questions? That might give you something concrete to say why you chose them.

If it literally was a coin toss between the two of them, then I would just say it was a really difficult decision, his application was very strong and it just came down to the other person had a slightly different mix of skills and experience that was more relevant to the role (be vague).

I always include some good points and give a 'poo sandwich' I think its called. Positive-negative- end on a positive.

Was there anything the other candidate had which WAS better? Experience, researched your company more, more rounded answers, less prompting?

I think the only thing i could say was the other candidate did loads more research into the company. But that's it!

Well that's fine! "The other candidate was better prepared for the interview, having carried out extensive background research on the company and our strategies. This meant that in the interview the responses were more appropriate and targeted" etc etc