When any preferred person applies for appointment or employment under this chapter, the officer, board, or person whose duty it is or may be to appoint or employ a person to fill the position or place shall, before appointing or employing a person to fill the position or place, make an investigation as to the qualifications of the applicant for the place or position, and if the applicant is of good moral character and can perform the duties of the position applied for, the officer, board, or person shall appoint the applicant to the position, place, or employment. The appointing officer, board, or person shall set forth in writing and file for public inspection the specific grounds upon which it appointed or refused to appoint the person. At the time of application or at an interview for the position, an applicant may request notification of refusal only or notification of refusal and the specific grounds for refusal. The notification shall be sent within ten days after the successful applicant is selected and shall include information on the right of an unsuccessful applicant to maintain an action for mandamus under section 35C.4, or file an appeal and the time to file an appeal under section 35C.5.