| Your resume is doing its job when you are getting | | | | people are often quiet during the interview, providing |
| employment interviews. But, if you can't seem to land | | | | only short, non-descriptive answers that fail to "sell" the |
| the job offer, you need look for what may be holding | | | | job seeker to an employer. |
| you back. Many frustrated job seekers suffer from a | | | | 5. Poor personal appearance; This applicant lacks |
| variety of negative personal traits that can sabotage | | | | neatness, may be a careless dresser, or have poor |
| them in the job seeking process. | | | | personal hygiene. The job seeker may be unaware of |
| During an employment interview, you must strive for | | | | this and walk out of the interview believing they have |
| perfection. After you have left the the interview, it is | | | | the position, but never get the call. |
| too late to address any small foible that may have | | | | Unfortunately, these factors often overlap and each |
| cost you the job offer. Now is the time to privately | | | | may compound the impact of the others. If you did |
| evaluate your own personal traits and decide if you | | | | find yourself anywhere on this list, take heart, |
| need to make some improvements. Below are the top | | | | recognizing your negative trait is the first step to |
| five negative traits that may keep you from receiving | | | | overcoming it. And you can overcome these |
| a second interview or a job offer. Do any of these | | | | negatives with a little effort. |
| describe you? | | | | Begin by setting a self improvement goal and |
| 1. Inadequate personality; Often expressed as a poor | | | | committing yourself to reaching that goal. Next, develop |
| attitude, lack of poise, or lack of self confidence. These | | | | an action plan that will work for your life and |
| traits are very common in job seekers who have | | | | circumstances and will ultimately reach your goal. Your |
| been in the job market for some time. After receiving | | | | plan may invovle taking a class, joining a club, or |
| no response from resumes, no returned calls after an | | | | reading the latest self-help best seller. No matter what |
| interview, your self esteem, poise, and confidence are | | | | path you chose, remember to write down your plan. |
| all likely to suffer. | | | | An idea remains in your mind; a plan is written down on |
| 2. Lack of goals and objectives; This person appears | | | | paper. Show your plan to a spouse a trusted friend |
| poorly motivated and indecisive. They lack a clear plan | | | | and ask them to hold you accountable for your |
| and cannot articulate their goals and interests. They | | | | self-improvement plan. |
| may be hesitant during the interview and their answers | | | | We have limited our discussion to the 5 most common |
| may wander from the what was intended by the | | | | negative traits, but there are many, many others that |
| interviewer's question. | | | | will be examined in following articles. Overcoming the 5 |
| 3. Lack of enthusiasm; Generally perceived as a failure | | | | negative traits discussed here will produce a positive |
| to demonstrate drive or initiative. You may not be | | | | synergistic effect in your professional and personal life. |
| sufficiently assertive or may have low self esteem. | | | | A healthy sense of confidence will help to improve |
| These people often have difficulty "selling" themselves | | | | your poise, attitude, and speaking skills. You can then |
| during the interview. They may feel incapable or not | | | | ask for some help in correcting any fashion faux pas |
| sufficiently intelligent to perform in the position that they | | | | in your wardrobe! Define your goals and |
| are interviewing for. | | | | enthusiastically pursue them. Your efforts will benefit |
| 4. Inability to express yourself; This person may have | | | | you in the next job interview as well as your personal |
| poor communication skills, they are unsure of their | | | | life. |
| speaking skills, speaking voice or vocabulary. These | | | | |