Meaning of せっかく in Japanese

Definition of せっかく

せっかく(sekkaku) 【石槨】

せっかく(sekkaku) 【折角】

(adv, n) with trouble; at great pains; long-awaited
せっかくの苦労もあだになった。
All my pains went for nothing.

せっかく採用さいようしたする派遣社員はけんしゃいんがすぐに辞めてしまった。

The temporary workers that we managed to employ left work right away.

What a waste of your lawyer qualifications!

Whoa, if we keep chatting, despite actually arriving early, we'll end up late!

せっかく君きみにそれがやれるなら、やってほしいんだが。

If you could do it at all, I'd like you to do it.

せっかくの苦労くろうもあだになった。

All my pains went for nothing.

せっかくの苦労くろうが水の泡みずのあわになった。

All my pains were in vain.

I am sorry, but I have someone coming.

After I got all worked up about ordering in English, I walked in the store and they greeted me with "Irasshaimase!" I felt, like, "What the ...?"

As such is the case, I am sorry I can't accept your kind invitation.

You just made me miss the perfect shot when you hollered.