Career Advising at EOU

It has already been suggested that, should you get a letter of rejection, it may be advisable to turn that letter into a learning tool.

To do this, contact the person from whom you received the letter and ask why you were not given consideration. Before you do this, however, analyze the following reasons employers normally give for rejecting candidates and see if any of them fit you for that particular interview.

  1. Poor personal appearance.
  2. Overbearing, overaggressive, conceited, superiority complex, know-it-all attitude.
  3. Inability to express themselves clearly, poor voice, diction, grammar.
  4. Lack of planning for career--no purposes and goals.
  5. Lack of interest and enthusiasm--passive, indifferent.
  6. Failure to participate in student activities.
  7. Overemphasis on money, interested only in best dollar offer.
  8. Poor scholastic record--just got by.
  9. Unwilling to start at the bottom--expects too much too soon.
10. Makes excuses, evasive, hedges on unfavorable factors in record.
11. Lacking in courtesy, ill-mannered.
12. Asks no questions about the job.
13. Lack of knowledge of the employer with whom the candidate is interviewing.
14. Late for the interview.
15. Sloppy data sheet, resume, application form.
16. Poor eye contact during interview.
17. Indefinite responses to questions--talks too much.
18. Extreme nervousness.
19. Lack of confidence and poise.
20. Indecisive, lacks initiative.
21. Condemnation of previous employers/professors.
22. Lack of leadership qualities.
23. Timid, introverted, lacks sufficient degree of assertiveness.
24. Unwilling to relocate.
25. Questionable long-term potential for advancement.

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