The ability to be coachable isn’t just the most important skill in getting a job: it’s also the most important ability for growing as a professional in whatever role or field you’re in.

To say someone is coachable means that they ask for feedback, listen carefully and without push-back, and then make adjustments in their approach. That doesn’t mean that coachable people just do whatever anyone says. They seek feedback from people who know more about a subject than they do, people with a different perspective than their own, and people with more years of experience. Coachable people aren’t defensive when people provide fair, professional feedback on their work. In fact, they are excited by the chance to grow and gain a new perspective.

When you’re looking for a job, it’s likely you’re going to experience some rejection. When you do, it’s important that you understand why you were rejected, what (if anything) you could have done differently, and what you can improve on in the future. To the extent that companies you apply to are open to it, you should usually ask for feedback following (or even at the end of) an interview, and always when you are rejected. Unless you are very familiar with the hiring manager, the best way to ask for feedback is by sending a polite email.

Coachable job seekers always do their best, but they do so believing that there is always more to learn. They are flexible: if an approach isn’t working, they adapt. If you are sending the same resume to several jobs and not hearing back, consider sending optimized resumes that are specific to each role. If a job asks you to add a certain skill to your resume, or to prepare for certain questions during the interview, be open to making changes.

Even if you’re not hearing back from companies or they are unwilling to give feedback, be open to being coached by peers, colleagues, and family members. Seek the advice of people you feel are successful in their career. If they tell you that they “just got lucky”, ask more questions! Ask them their advice on your job search, their feedback on your resume, or to help you prepare for an interview.

While being coachable means being open to trying new ways of doing things, you should never violate your personal morality. If you are given advice, feedback, or suggestions to do something that you understand to be illegal, or that feels immoral, wrong, or inappropriate to you, stand your ground. In your career, you should always strive to act with integrity, even when things get difficult or frustrating.