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Not taking action. Putting off decisions, phone calls, leads, writing, looking. Not doing anything constructive. Avoiding even thinking about doing something. Making excuses, limiting yourself, erecting roadblocks to prog-ress, complaining and generally procrastinating.- Not reflecting enough. Not thinking about what is wanted, ideal, or possible. Jumping to the search and jumping too often to the wrong job, simply because it appeared first.
- Not taking advantage of all potential resources while searching. Overlooking the assistance and leads that can be found in talking with friends, parents, professors, etc. Not using libraries. Hesitating to call people unknown to you.
- Not exploiting skills and experience Not understanding the unique value, strengths and marketability of your past.
- Not being committed to the job search. Not making adequate time for preparing and searching; not giving it the highest priority. Hoping something will turn up.
Not being positive Underestimating the power of attitude on the process, the employer, and you.
Not anticipating and practicing for an interview. Not being able to relate your abilities to the employer's needs. Not role-playing and formulating a strategy for success.
Not following-up in a professional manner. Thank-you letters, even after rejections, can make a name for you in what may prove to be a small, closely knit profession.
50 Reasons For Not Offering A Job
Below, in rank order, are reasons business and industrial managers gave for not offering a job to a new graduate, based upon a survey by Frank S. Endicott, former Director of Placement of Northwestern University.
- Poor personal appearance.
- Overbearing, know-it-all attitude.
- Inability to express self clearly: poor voice, diction, grammer.
- Lack of planning for career; no purpose or goals.
- Lack of confidence and poise.
- Lack of interest and enthusiasm.
- Failure to participate in extracurricular activities.
- Overemphasis on money: interested only in best dollar offer.
- Poor scholastic record—just got by.
- Unwilling to start at the bottom—expects too much, too soon.
- Makes excuses, evasiveness, hedges on unfavorable factors in record.
- Lack of tact.
- Lack of maturity.
- Lack of courtesy.
- Condemnation of past employers.
- Lack of social understandings.
- Marked dislike for school work.
- Lack of vitality
- Fails to look interviewer in the eye.
- Limp, fishy handshake.
- Indecision.
- Loafs during vacations preferring lakeside pleasures.
- Unhappy married life.
- Friction with parents.
- Sloppy application.
- Merely shopping around.
- Only wants a job for short time.
- Little sense of humor.
- Lack of knowledge of field of specialization.
- Parents make decisions for him.
- No interest in company or industry.
- Emphasis on who he knows.
- Unwillingness to go where we will send him.
- Cynical.
- Low moral standards.
- Lazy.
- Intolerant with strong prejudices.
- Narrow interests.
- Spends much time at movies.
- Poor handling of personal finances.
- No interest in community activities.
- Inability to take criticism.
- Lack of appreciation for the value of experience.
- Radical ideas.
- Late to interview without good reason.
- Never heard of company.
- Failure to express appreciation for interviewer's time.
- Asks no questions about the job.
- High-pressure type.
- Indefinite responses to questions.
