I applied for an Accountant position for which I was more than qualified, but I was rejected. The rejection email from John stood out because it was personalized rather than a generic response. At the time, I was applying to hundreds of jobs without much success. Since John’s email felt genuine and not automated, I decided to ask for feedback. I reached out to John, asking if there was anything wrong with my resume, experience, or qualifications and if he had any suggestions to improve my job search. He responded quickly, reassuring me that my resume was strong, my experience was solid, and I was more than qualified. However, his client specifically required a certified candidate, which I was not. John told me he would keep my resume on file and reach out when a role that didn’t require a CPA became available. Because I took the initiative to ask for feedback—a step many job seekers overlook—I left a lasting impression. A few weeks later, John contacted me about an opportunity that ended up being my dream job. I’m still with the organization he helped me connect with, and I plan to retire here. That one decision to seek advice changed the course of my career, and I’ll always be grateful to John for that life-changing opportunity.