Coffee w/ hiring manager after rejection - tips?
Hey, everyone! This is my first time in this subreddit, but I have a timely question and would love some feedback. TYIA!
Backstory… I had an interview for a communications position at a local university, and I love the institution itself. My wife attended and I have lots of friends on campus myself. I made it through the HR screen, the Zoom interview with the hiring manager, and then a 3-hour interview in-person with a panel and 4 other VPs and AVPs in the specific department I was applying for. I believe the decision was between me and one other candidate.
Other than a few hiccups, I thought it went extremely well. Until I followed up a few days after the deadline I was told, only to find out that they extended the offer to the other candidate the day prior to me following up. I was devastated. This was becoming a “dream job” for me, especially with the time I dedicated to preparing for interviews.
The hiring manager is amazing, and he offered to meet with me to discuss the future, their decision with this position, or even to be a reference on future job applications. It was recommended to me by a friend that I ask to meet up with the hiring manager for coffee, in order to meet 1-1. He agreed, and we‘re meeting this upcoming Friday morning.
There are no posted positions in this department at the moment, but I want to be considered for the university at some point. What sorts of questions should I be asking him, other than feedback on the interview and tips he has for me?