The greatest achievers in any field have lost many times over before they succeeded. A quote from Michael Jordan is a perfect example of how important itis to accept failure as part of the “success process.”

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shotsin my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to takethe game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again inmy life. And that is why I succeed.” --Michael Jordan

This attitude as stated by Michael Jordan is not just relevant to skilled athletes, it’s also important for attorneys who are currently on the job market and facing employer resistance in the form of rejection. Below are a few tips how job seekers can use failure not as tool to continue their journey to success:

1. Don’t be afraid of failure, a matter of fact accept that you must face failure first before you succeed. When it comes to looking for work in any market, accepting rejection will help you utilizing procrastination as a tool of avoiding this reality. The next time anxiety stops you from sending out a resume or cover letter, remember that rejection is just part of the process.
2. Learn from your failures and mistakes.  Try to figure out why an employer rejected your resume or failed to hire you after the third interview.  What mistakes did you make?  Did you fail to emphasize certain skills, experiences or show your enthusiasm for the job?  Whatever the mistake was, identify it and try to correct the error.
3. Always be willing to improve your skills. Even the most competent attorneys are working on improving their skills. No one has reached perfection and job seekers should make sure that they are always looking for ways to remain current and relevant.