48 WAYS TO REMAIN UNEMPLOYED

The University of New York has made a list of reasons most frequently given by employers for turning down candidates applying for a job with their company.

These reasons were taken from reports produced by 153 businesses. When you look at these reasons that are usually given for rejecting a candidate, ask yourself: how do I measure up?

Always remember: It's mainly a matter of attitude!

Open-mindedness and admiration add to life, while preconcieved notions and criticism detract from it. It is up to you to choose. Don't forget that a good attitude is a tool in looking for work. Your attitude can work for you or against you.

  1. Poor personal appearance
  2. Arrogance, aggressiveness, self-satisfaction, superiority complex, know-it-all attitude
  3. Difficulty in expressing oneself clearly, a weak voice, poor diction and grammar
  4. Complete lack of any career plans, projects or aims
  5. Lack of interest and enthusiasm, passiveness and indifference
  6. Lack of confidence and poise, nervousness, being ill at ease
  7. No participation in activities
  8. Very interested in money, and only interested in the best offer
  9. Poor or borderline academic achievements
  10. Applicant refuses to start at the bottom of the ladder or is too demanding and stubborn
  11. Applicant makes all kinds of excuses for an unfavourable report
  12. Lack of tact
  13. Lack of maturity
  14. Lack of courtesy, bad manners
  15. Applicant criticizes his/her former employers
  16. Lack of social insight
  17. Dislike for study
  18. Lack of vitality
  19. Applicant does not look the interviewer straight in the eye
  20. A lifeless handshake, without warmth
  21. High degree of indecision
  22. Marital problems
  23. Inability to get along with parents
  24. Applicant neglects to answer all questions on the application form
  25. Very limited job search
  26. Looking for temporary work
  27. Little or no sense of humor
  28. Insufficient knowledge of his/her area of specialisation
  29. Lets his/her parents make the decisions
  30. No interest in the company or the industry
  31. Applicant stresses the fact that he/she is well connected with someone in the compnay, tries to "pull strings"
  32. Unwillingness to transfer to a new location
  33. Too cynical
  34. A poor moral attitude
  35. Candidate displays laziness
  36. An intolerant candidate
  37. Limited interests
  38. Mismanagement of personal finances
  39. No interest in community activities
  40. Inability to take criticism
  41. No consideration for the value of experience
  42. Radical ideas
  43. Late for the interview without a good reason
  44. Applicant has no knowledge of the company to which he/she is applying
  45. Failure to ask questions about the job
  46. Too aggressive and too insistant
  47. Applicant answers questions evasively
  48. Lack of personal initiative

Of course, not every employer will reject a candidate who has one of these traits. Some are willing to ignore certain traits because the candidate has exceptional qualifications in another area. Other employers will overlook certain character traits of the candidate if they think he/she will be useful to them in the position they want to fill.

The candidate, however, should leave nothing to chance. It's a matter of attitude!!

-eof-