Parsing the No

I was recently asked by a law student to explain what a firm means by the language that they choose to use in a rejection letter or e-mail. While this student is doing beautifully in her on-campus interviews generally speaking, she is (like many of her contemporaries) collecting her fair share of rejections.

There is “we are unable to offer you a position at this time…” and there is “while we find your credentials outstanding, our class of 2010 is filled. We will contact you if anything changes…” There is “your background does not suit our needs.” Does one bit of prose suggest there is more hope for the future than the other? What can we read into this “no” that gives us more insight? Can you tell me what they mean?

I, Carey Bertolet, regret to inform you that while your question is quite reasonable, and while acknowledging that hope springs eternal, I must at this time inform you that the answer is in the negative.

While some language in one letter may be more promising, or gentle, than the next, I have never found that any real meaning should be ascribed to any of it. Feedback, to the extent one can get it, isn’t going to be between the lines. An honest assessment of your resume and presentation to a firm will be far more effective in figuring out why you got a no than poring over a letter. And, in an economy where everybody has their fair share of rejection, don’t dwell too much on the opportunities that won’t pan out now–stay focused on those that will.

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