Article: If your friend has just been rejected, she may not want to hear the things she could improve on in order to improve her odds next time. While there may be things that she’s said or done that contributed to the rejection, or her even if her job loss or her relationship with the boyfriend wasn't ideal, unsolicited advice may be difficult for your friend to benefit from at this time.  For example, this isn’t the time to remind her that she spent a lot of time complaining about the job she just lost, or the man who just broke up with her. Rejection can hurt regardless of the circumstance, so being a good listener is an effective way to help a friend cope with this initial sting. If your friend says that she doesn’t know what she’s doing wrong, and asks you for help figuring it out, then you might offer a gentle suggestion. You don’t want to be too quick to talk about the “opportunity for growth” inherent in a rejection, but at the same time you might help your friend find ways to benefit from the experience. There are always positive aspects to any situation. Sometimes it takes a friend to help you find them.  For example, if she didn’t get the job she wanted, now she’ll be able to attend the family vacation she’d been looking forward to. Being single means having more freedom. Having a story rejected for publication means being able to submit it somewhere else. One way of supporting your friend is to help him navigate his pain. Ask him how he’s feeling, and affirm that his feelings are okay. If he knows that he can share painful things with you as a friend, without being rejected, this may help him feel better. Saying things like, “It sounds like you’re pretty broken up about things,” can help him feel supported. If your friend was deeply wounded by the rejection, she may not have words to articulate how she feels. She might just want to sit quietly with you. Being present and showing that you’re ready to listen when she’s ready to talk will be enough.  You can always offer a hug, or a gentle supportive touch. Talking about something other than the rejection, or doing an activity together are other ways you can offer support for a friend who’s not ready to talk about her feelings yet. For example, try going on a hike, or playing video games together.

What is a summary?
Don’t offer feedback if your friend hasn't asked for it. Help your friend reframe the rejection. Reflect your friend’s emotions. Be willing to sit in silence.