Bombed a technical screen, asked for feedback anyway, and it was the most useful hour of my search

Completely fell apart on a screen last month. Blanked on a problem I'd definitely solved before. Instead of just spiraling I emailed the recruiter and asked, as politely as I could, whether the interviewer would share any specifics.

Most places ghost that request. This one didn't. The feedback was blunt and a little painful (I explain my approach too late, I go quiet when I'm stuck) but it was stuff no amount of solo grinding would've surfaced. Ask for the feedback. Worst case they say no.