1. 51 Ways to Lose the Offer
Candace Moody, Worksource
1. Show up late for a meeting-yes, even 30. Being sloppy when filling out the
one minute counts. company employment application.
2. Letting on that a 10:00 AM appointment is 31. One word answer to questions in the
“first thing in the morning.” interview.
3. Wrinkled clothing or unshined shoes. 32. Not having any questions for the recruiter.
4. Bad answering machine message. 33. Not bothering to research the company.
34. Mispronouncing the company or recruiter’s
5. No answering machine message. name.
6. Let your roommate answer the phone 35. Misspelling the company or the recruiter’s
and take messages. name.
7. Wacky email address. 36. Not knowing the all the old etiquette rules,
8. Taking more than one business day to even if you think they’re passé.
respond to email or voice messages. 37. Not taking the time to look up passé if you
9. Thinking spelling and grammar don’t don’t know what it means.
count in email. 38. Looking bored or distracted during the
10. Dressing casually for job fairs. interview.
11. Making excuses in your cover letter. 39. Leaving your cell phone on or your
12. Being overconfident in your cover letter. earpiece in your ear during the interview.
13. “Enhancing” your resume. 40. Looking visibly nervous during the interview.
14. Mistakes on your resume. 41. Body language that’s too relaxed during
15. Listing a mediocre grade point average on your the interview.
resume. 42. Asking about vacation or perks during the
16. Listing personal information on your interview.
resume. 43. Not following up after sending a resume.
17. Not bringing extra copies of your resume 44. No thank you after a meeting or an interview.
to an interview. 45. Applying for jobs you’re obviously not
18. Not checking a mirror before you head qualified for.
into the interview-hair, teeth, zipper,etc. 46. Saying “I’m not sure what I want to do” in
19. Having bad hygiene-breath, body odor, etc. an interview.
20. Excessive cologne/perfume. 47. Badmouthing a former employer, coworker,
21. Being rude or arrogant to the company or teacher in the interview.
receptionist. 48. Doing a sloppy job during your internship.
22. Looking tired or bored while waiting in 49. Doing a sloppy job in class- your employer
the lobby for the interview. may call the professor as a reference.
23. Posting information on My Space or Face 50. Job hopping during your first two years
book that you wouldn’t want your mom after college.
to see. Your future employer will use the 51. Being less than gracious to the company
same standard for appropriate content. or the recruiter under any circumstances.
24. Visible body art or piercings. Your attitude and manners under duress will be
25. Unconventional hairstyles or colors. noted.
26. Sloppy diction on the phone.
27. Juvenile sentence structure (“I’m, like, ya
know, really into graphic design.”)
28. Not having a reason for why you’re
applying for the position.
29. Talking for more than 2 minutes when asked
to say something about yourself.