Jones Day PFO post-interview.
I thought the interview went really well too.
I do think firms should provide interview feedback. Telling us “it’s very competitive” and that “luck plays a huge part” is not particularly helpful or reassuring, even if it is true.
It’s only the beginning of the cycle, yet I already feel a bit hopeless. The application and interview process has given me a sort of anti-imposter syndrome.
Why not me?
Am I undesirable as a candidate?
Will I ever get a TC? Or, is this just a pipe dream.
Why is this year going to be any different to the previous years of constant rejection?
So many of us have pursued this career cycle after cycle, year after year. It’s genuinely heartbreaking to continually be told ‘no’.
Sorry for the low mood. But, I’m sure many of you reading this often feel the same way. We always hear about the success stories, but not much about how the rejections affect us. This is a bit of a nothing/pointless post, but I just want you all to know that, regardless of how you feel, you’re not alone.
Hey
@SoonToBeTrainee . First of all, I want to say that what you’re feeling is completely valid. The cycle of rejection is one of the hardest parts of pursuing a career in law. Like you said, we all hear about the success stories, but so rarely do we talk about the rejections, the self-doubt, and how it can sometimes feel like you’re just not enough.
But here’s the thing—rejection doesn’t mean you’re not enough. It means that the process is doing exactly what it’s designed to do: refine, challenge, and prepare you for the next step.
I know firsthand how demoralising it can be. During my first-year scheme applications, I was rejected from most of the firms I applied to. And, during my vacation scheme application cycle, Jones Day was actually the first firm to reject me after an interview. But what I realised, after allowing myself a little time to reflect, was that rejection was never the end. It was part of the process that would make me stronger, more informed, and more determined.
The most important thing I learned during that time is that motivation isn’t a straight line. Sometimes you’re at the top of your game, feeling like you can take on the world, and other times, you’re struggling to even send out another application. That’s okay. What really matters is consistency. Even when your motivation is at its lowest, keep pushing forward. Keep sending out those applications. Keep showing up for yourself. Because every time you do, you’re moving closer to that opportunity that’s meant for you.
I can’t stress this enough: rejection is not a reflection of your value or your ability to succeed. It’s an opportunity to learn. Every “no” you receive isn’t a failure; it’s a lesson that sharpens your skills, clarifies your goals, and prepares you for the next challenge. After each rejection, I took time to reflect on what I could improve on. Whether it was my commercial awareness, or my understanding of practice areas, I used each setback as an opportunity to grow. And by the end of my first-year scheme cycle, I had learned so much from my rejections that I started to secure offers.
If I had given up after my first post-interview rejection, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would’ve missed the chance to take stock of what I’d learned, to understand the areas I could grow in, and to return to the process with more knowledge, more focus, and more confidence. The reason I’m sharing this is because I want you to know that
your journey isn’t over—it’s just beginning.
The law is a highly competitive field, yes. But that competitiveness isn’t meant to discourage you; it’s meant to prepare you. It’s meant to push you to discover just how resilient, capable, and deserving you really are. Your path may not look like someone else’s, and that’s okay. Every person who succeeds in this field has faced rejection—sometimes more than they care to admit. But those rejections, as hard as they are, are stepping stones. They’re teaching you, guiding you toward the right opportunity, the right firm, the right fit.
So, don’t lose hope. Soon, you will realize that it was never about being rejected or accepted. It was about becoming the person who could face setbacks, keep going, and ultimately thrive. It won’t just be a result of your skills or your interviews. It’ll be a testament to your persistence, your ability to pick yourself up after every “no” and say, “I’m not giving up.” And let me tell you, that’s something far more valuable than any single interview or application. That’s the kind of mindset that will take you through the highs and lows of this profession—and in life.
You’re already showing resilience by just being in this process. The fact that you’re continuing to push forward, even when it feels like you’re going against the tide, is proof of your determination. Keep going. Rejections will happen, yes. But
they will never define you. Your mindset, your persistence, your ability to keep going when things get tough—
that’s what defines you.
So, if you’re feeling down, take a moment to breathe. Acknowledge that it’s okay to feel this way. But then remind yourself that
you’re not done yet. You’re on this journey for a reason. Stay strong, stay consistent, and don’t let rejection convince you that you’re not worthy, because you absolutely are. Keep showing up, and your resilience will carry you through.
