How I got rejected by all the law firms I applied...

In this video, I talk about my worst rejection by law firms when I applied for a training contract in the uk. I was first rejected by over 35 law firms back in 2018. I started questioning if I was good enough to be a lawyer in the uk. Here, I want to share my rejection story and explained how I coped with it at the end.
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Asian Lawyer in the West | / @asianlawyerinthewest8894
0:00 Intro
1:14 background
2:20 Life-changing moment
3:11 struggle after graduation
4:12 failed job applications
5:17 first failed job test
6:10 first failed interview
8:22 Another failed interview
10:42 most depressing feedback call
11:47 Never take 'no' as the answer
14:01 Rejection after rejection
14:57 Got a training contract offer

[@emlish]

I just wanted to let you know that your content online is invaluable to me, I am an international law student in the UK as well and I have been struggling so much with confidence when it comes to applications. My dreams are smaller - I would rather work high street than magic circle - but it still feels very competitive. Even having connected with you on linkedin has shifted the app from something that would depress me to now having your posts at the top sharing encouraging messages. Thank you for putting out this content, you could easily bag your offer and brush the rejections under the rug but you choose to encourage others which shows you really are a great person.

[@GordonChung]

I really appreciate you kind words Em.. this is such a lovely message to read. Being an international student in a different country isn’t a easy journey, but I do believe that as long as we keep working towards our goal, it will eventually come true. We just have to be patient! Thanks again for your support :)

[@maheshdaryanani6560]

It's great to hear these stories because we all need to have faith that there is a dawn after every storm

[@GordonChung]

Very true Mahesh, I hope my stories can at least motivate some of you to keep working hard, you will achieve your goals, just be patient!

[@thejuristprudence]

Hey, I'm watching from South Africa 🇿🇦. Thank you for sharing. Indeed, many people don't want to talk about their rejections. 💯👌

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for your support guys :) I hope you enjoy this video, let me know what you think. For those who are new to my channel, subscribe and vote in the community section to tell me what you want to watch next!

[@mohamedsadig6754]

Really informative and helpful video.

[@kawingmak97]

this video has the emotional attachment as i experienced the same in my career - undoubtedly no matter how many times u failed, it's the one and only one offer given to u that matters. keep it up bro.

[@GordonChung]

Thank you for your words bro, that means a lot to me! I’m happy that you are so successful and you deserve everything you have now!

[@nazsolomon8164]

Man you're so inspirational! Keep posting these videos 💪

[@DisneyIsHardcore]

This was really helpful. I feel very validated from how you talked about how disappointing and soul crushing it is to get so many rejections.

[@oddment7]

Really appreciate this video, thank you ❤

[@TashaMay777]

Dear Gordon, Literally binging your videos, I love that you had a vision. I find myself at the end of my LLB in that struggle period. The silver lining that came around and your words have greatly encouraged me. Good luck and thank you.

[@liliyab8041]

Thank you for sharing this Gordon, I think it's equally important to acknowledge the lows as it is to celebrate the highs of a TC journey. I would love to learn about your process of researching firms, as I am a second-year law student hoping to secure a TC before I graduate!

[@roshnimandal2073]

Very very helpful and motivating as well! Thank you Gordan, I needed it right now. :)

[@GordonChung]

Glad that it helps :)

[@matchamelonpan6533]

Watched this video a year before and now came back because I just screwed up an AC for magic circle law firm🥲tbh this video is so encouraging, maybe the best video I've ever seen related to law firm application. Watching it makes me feel so much better now. I think I should just learn from my mistakes and keep working hard for the next opportunity.

[@priyensebastian7021]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey and for keeping it super real and relatable! Truly an inspiration!

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for the support!

[@alyamoktar7477]

Thanks for giving me hope

[@afiaowusua]

Thank you for sharing your story. It was so inspiring and motivating to hear about your dedication! 😊

[@GordonChung]

Glad that you found It useful!

[@EM-xq7vu]

Thanks Gordon! This was a really motivating and helpful video.

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for your words, I’m glad that you enjoyed this video!

[@alisheikh4455]

Hi Gordon, Your video has been super helpful in putting things into perspective and thank you for sharing in so much detail and it just goes to show how amazing your journey is. Thank you

[@GordonChung]

No worries!

[@georgiaurashima6218]

Thank you so much for this, I think sometimes I feel as if I am alone in this process of applying to law firms again and again and unfortunately dealing with rejections and I have to overcome the self doubt each time, so it was so enlightening to hear of your experience (as someone who understands the experience of applying to firms over and over again) and how you over came the self doubts and persevered, thank you :)

[@GordonChung]

I am glad that my experiences could encourage others, thanks for your kind words :)

[@talitafantauzzi4883]

Thank you so much for sharing, Gordon!

[@GordonChung]

My pleasure

[@muhammadhamid5134]

this is very helpful because i can relate i am similar situation. thank you.

[@josephinebenjamin1330]

Gordon, thank you so much for this video! I’m an international student from Nigeria, applying for vacations schemes and this video really brings me hope.

[@GordonChung]

Good luck to you!

[@juliem9068]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your personal story! As you rightly mentioned, I think so many people are reluctant to share their experiences of being rejected. Applying for TCs, you feel like you're on a lonely journey where you're constantly questioning your self-worth and confidence. Listening to your story has been incredibly inspiring. I'm sure it brings a lot of ease and comfort to others knowing they're not alone! Keep up the amazing content!

[@GordonChung]

No worries Julie, I am really happy to hear that from you :) i hope my stories can motivate you guys to keep moving forward despite receiving rejection after rejection 💪🏻

[@lncw98]

Thank you for this amazing content! It is extremely helpful for me even as a year 2 undergraduate student applying for the international firm. It is tough, but I do have some takeaways from your video. Truth to be told, your experience at rejection is way more valuable than just some celebration of one’s successful training contract offer. Often we don’t see the hard work and tears that goes behind the successes. Good work!

[@GordonChung]

Really glad to hear that Leon :)

[@sarahiskandar2858]

Hi Gordon! I hopped straight here right after you shared this video with me on our LinkedIn exchange, and I have to say, thank you for sharing your story with us. Clearly, you went through one emotional rollercoaster of a ride and it's refreshing to see how honest you are with your feelings. As an international student, I resonate with your struggles and I admire your tenacity and will to never give up. I'll surely be doing the same! Thanks for being such an inspiration!

[@GordonChung]

Thank you for your support Sarah!! It’s not the easiest moment in life but I do appreciate that I went through things like this which help me become who I am today. Don’t give up!

[@bethplunkett9362]

Hi Gordon, just wanted to say that even though I don't want to go into law, I found this video really helpful and encouraging. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and inspiring me!

[@GordonChung]

I am glad that you found it useful Beth! I guess many of us need to hear stories like this regardless of what we are studying :)

[@merciaw5681]

OMG, I didn’t know you had a KZbin channel Gordon! Love your LinkedIn posts, so this excellent🙏🏻💕

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for your words

[@yichunfang9434]

Gordon, thank you so much for the heart-to-heart sharing. Your words are so encouraging to me. I am currently applying for a vac scheme, and the sheer anxiety makes me break down and cry on my own sometimes. Also.. because we are already adults, we don't want to appear vulnerable or share our sadness with our family members. Thank you for giving me the faith, and your video channel is really helpful to all law students worldwide ~~

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@sara-loujokonya]

You content is amazing ! Thank you for sharing.

[@GordonChung]

No worries!

[@Star1997beautyqueen]

Great video! Keep it up! I got rejected by my dream firm after being invited to an open day and a careers dinner. It knocked me for six but it's so true that you have to just get back up and keep going!

[@GordonChung]

Thank you Rose, and very well said! At the end you just need that one offer to change your life ;)

[@yihongdeng3893]

Ha, your videos are so helpful and interesting! Thank you so much.

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for your support!

[@annielam6790]

Support from HK! Your KZbin channel is so inspiring and motivating that I feel the need to leave my first comments on KZbin! I wish I could have seen contents like this when I was in year 2-3! Tho I'm graduating and its kinda late to look for ifirm training contracts thru vac scheme, your videos really encourage me to stay hopeful.

[@GordonChung]

Thanks for all of your kind words and support :)

[@kemingyu4266]

Ah I did ask a copy of your question bank in Linkedin, and compared to my own question bank. Not surprisingly, 90% of our questions are similar. I applied to 150 internships in my first year, 100 in the second and got rejected far more times than i could remember. So your story really resonates with me. Anyways, good luck with your TC at BM.

[@GordonChung]

Thank you for your words, really appreciate that!

[@berylmiao7461]

Hi Gordon. Thank you for your sharing. It just came up randomly after a disappointing rejection of my application. I am in a similar situation (I am Chinese with a limited visa, many rejections but I don't get an Oxbridge degree). The most reason I got is "we are looking for someone more experienced" when applying for an entry-level paralegal position. I mean how do I get experience if you don't offer me one lol. I am now learning from your experience. Hope you are all good and have the best future.

[@jastawana3046]

loved this video man i just got my first class degree and am currently applying to camridge for a masters in corporate law, Listen man just remember im supporting ur youtube channel now you gotta hook a boy up when he applies for his TC at baker Mcenzie ahahahhahah. you honestly inspire me so much to do better and keep working harder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@GordonChung]

Keep up the good work!

[@Jejdjejbfjf]

I think your videos are really good. But it took me some searching to actually find your videos!

[@GordonChung]

Thank you for the support, glad that you found this channel!

[@markpic112]

Hi Gordon, Firstly, very inspirational video.Secondly, I recently graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with Business and Law degree achieving upper a2.1. I aim to begin in September with Law Conversion Course, placing a demand on myself to gain training contract in Magic Circle law firm. It is a big goal obviously, but my concern is whether you think there are chances to get to a top law firms having finished "not great" university on undergraduate level. Any response will be appreciated!

[@GordonChung]

Usually candidates with substantial work experiences or other achievements can make you stand out even though you don’t have the most impressive academic performance

[@markpic112]

@@GordonChung thank you for advice! What do you think about Harvard law courses on edx.org. It is advertised as online educational platform of Harvard University? Does this might have a recognisable strenght in the eyes of potential legal emplyer from top law firm? I'm on my path of completing four of those and keen to purchase more, and also do several virtual experiences on forage. Do you think that all mentioned carry substantial weight to complement skills well?

[@Alex-wv6me]

I am just wondering how can one improve without any feedback from any law firm?

[@GordonChung]

Ask your friends / peers or even message on LinkedIn to seek advice. Some organisations are willing to review TC application for a small fee too

[@lawyerportal5226]

Gordon I got a 2:2 in first year. Do I still have hope?

[@GordonChung]

Never say never but do look at more different opportunities to pick the best path for yourself

[@dr.debbiewilliams]

I wasn't.

[@clc3296]

👍👍👍

[@GordonChung]

Thank you!

[@GB-zt6cf]

Honestly this is why sometimes, I HAVE to say maybe LUCK plays a bit of its role here. Am I the only one who finds that law firm hiring can be really arbitrary sometimes? - simply because it does ultimately depend on the people who looked at you and your application in general, and, let's face it, human judgment is always at the very least or at least 1% subjective, and sometimes just (perhaps also unconsciously) inclined to prefer some things over another. "Likeability" or "fit" is just impossible to nail because you never know. i.e. despite doing everything on paper right, an employer might just think that your own nature/personality may just not mesh well with him/her, and it's not like you knew your potential employers like how you know your friends and their little inclinations.

[@GordonChung]

Luck definitely has a role to play, but I guess it’s true for any industry and recruitment process

[@aragornhydra]

At least you got rejected. We, in India, are just ignored till the end of your life.