“If I could impose so much as to ask a favor, I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to offer some criticism on the way I have presented myself: résumé, cover letter, interview, etc. Perhaps, for instance, there are weaknesses I am presenting without addressing or I am laying poisonous Easter eggs without knowing it. Please understand that I’m asking for help here, not trying to rationalize or pick a fight.” –Allison Green

I  am in the middle of helping college students apply for spring internships and summer employment. Which, has led to me hearing a lot of “Hi, I got a rejection letter and I really don’t know what went wrong? Do you think it’s a  good  idea to ask for some feedback?” My  first thought is to share this hilarious post . Though the professor in me tells them YES, it’s okay I even found  the following article 5 Reasons You Should Swallow Your Pride and Ask for Feedback After Getting Rejected stuck in the pages of my career journal and find it worth sharing with them and you :

1. You’ll Get Added Insight Into How to Improve Your Job Search : Let’s start with the most obvious benefit. Asking for feedback from people who didn’t want to hire you will give you some great information about the specific things you can improve and polish for your next interview

2. You Might Learn Something New About Yourself I remember one time in particular when I requested feedback after not getting a position that I was excited about. The interviewer was surprisingly helpful and thorough in her response. So much so that she told me I had an unpleasant habit of completing other people’s sentences. Needless to say, asking for advice and opinions following a job rejection might just point out something that you weren’t even aware of. .

3. You’ll Prove That You’re Willing to Learn and Grow—Even When It’s Uncomfortable Anyone can say that he or she handles constructive criticism well. But, reaching out and proactively asking for feedback proves that you’re always looking for ways that you can develop, learn, and grow. And, that’s a surefire way to impress any interviewer.

4. You Open the Door for Future Opportunities Although it may feel like it at the time, the job you lost out on isn’t the only job that will ever exist. So, let’s imagine that this company you interviewed with eventually has another related position open up. Who do you think will come to mind when the recruiting team’s brainstorming candidates to interview? More than likely, the person who reached out with a gracious “thanks” and request for feedback will quickly find himself or herself at the top of the interview list for this new position.

5. You Can Move on Knowing That You Gave it Your All There are some companies that have a strict “no feedback” policy to save them from any potential lawsuits. So, you might never hear anything back when you request insight into why you didn’t get the job.