Failed job interview etiquette

[cosynight]

I have had a job interview last week. Managed to go through to the 2nd stage, which was an interview with CEO (large international company).
The interview was arranged through a recruitment agent who also provided the feedback.
I have been advised the job was offered to someone else. They said I've made a very good impression, but the other person had more relevant experience.

I would want to let them know I appreciate the opportunity to speak to them (two senior staff and CEO) and express my interest in any future opportunities where my experience could be a good fit.

Haven't been at interviews for years.
It's a fab company with good reputation and it would be a great place to work. I'm gutted I didn't get it but want to make a good closure.
What would you do? Would you just forget it and move on? Would a short email to all of them be appropriate?

Yes forget and move on. If another job comes up apply for it. Concentrate on the next job.

Don’t email them. They will have forgotten about you already and be focused on the person they hired. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh but there’s nothing more you can do.

I disagree with pps - I’ve just done a round of hiring and interviews and a few of the candidates have emailed me subsequently to thank me. The only one I didn’t like was an overly obsequious one, but the others alternately thanked me for putting them at ease or told me what had excited them about the role and how keen they would be to be considered for another role. I spent an hour with each of them, of course I remember them 😄 so I think do it, but don’t be overly gushy, if it makes you feel better - it certainly won’t harm anything.

It won't harm but it probably won't help either.
Do it if it makes you feel better but don't expect anything to come of it. Often the 'you just lost out to someone else' line is a way for them to let you down gently it may be true it may not.

I disagree with this, they don't need to tell you it was close of it wasn't. Email if it makes you feel better and you want to, no harm in it. But agree with PP they've probably all moved on.

Honestly don’t bother, especially as it was through an agency , the company won’t contact you.

Maybe it's just me - I had the 'you only just missed out it was so close' feedback once, the first choice then pulled out and it was through agency so they could easily have gone back to offer me (agency did check) but by then I 'wasn't quite right for the role'

I have heard of that happening to other people too. It's easier to say 'just missed out' than tell someone why they aren't right for a role.

Doesn't mean it's true in the OPs case. Just that it could be.

I personally have emailed companies in the process of hiring, even if they rejected me. Then ask for some feedback, on what was wrong, and whether it was the lack of experience, or something like that. And the proper HR people will text you back

There’s no harm and it can be helpful.

in my sector it’s good networking to do this especially if you were interviewed at CEO level - people talk and share recommendations.

I also don’t think there is any harm. You can email thanking
for the opportunity / feedback and and how you enjoyed speaking with the team. Please keep me in mind for any exciting opportunities that may come up. I’m sure it’ll be well received and they may put you in pipeline for anything in the future / if the preferred candidate drops out last minute. It’s just a bit of networking at the end of the day.

The email you suggest would be absolutely fine.

I appreciate it when candidates email and thank me for my time/feedback etc. It’s the polite thing to do and it means I’m more likely to keep them in mind if the person who was offered the position pulls out. Congratulations on getting so close.

I would do it. You've passed the first round and made it to the final round so you obviously were good in their eyes, just unfortunate somebody better came along.

No harm emailing expressing thanks and yes, let them know you'd like to be considered for future opportunities.