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By and large, hiring is a "selected out" process. For every one person hired, all of the other candidates are selected out. Following are nine of the key places where being selected out occurs:

1. Negative attitude. Negative self-talk generates negative results. "Nobody will hire me because of my (age, sex, race, narrow field of experience, etc.)" "I’m just a (fill in the title.) "I can’t . . ." "I haven’t . . ." "Let me tell you what I don’t want to do." All this self-defeating talk becomes self-fulfilling prophecy. You may think you won’t say these things in an interview but what’s in your head gets communicated—in words, tone, or body language.
2. Unclear focus. It reflects poorly in an interview or during networking if you don’t know what you’re good at, can’t present your skills effectively, and don’t know what job or industry you’re interested in. Take whatever time is necessary to clarify what you need, what you’re seeking and what background you have to build on. Get good at talking about your strengths and examples of things you have done that reflect those strengths. Practice until your presentation is focused, clear, and reflects who you are.
3. A past-directed resume. The problem with most resumes is they’re obituaries. You need a future-directed resume that quickly gives readers an idea of what you are good at and what you offer employers. Focus your resume on the things you want to do in the future. It aims at where you want to go. Your resume must look clean, clear and inviting. Your printed version must be on good paper. If you are faxing, make sure the text is clear and crisp (black on white). If you are e-mailing, test for formatting quirks. Make it easy for the recipient to copy, scan, print and forward your resume. Make sure your resume is perfect—with no typographical or grammatical errors.
4. Unfocused cover letter. Perhaps even more important than your resume is your cover letter. Tailor your cover letters to the position and the organization. Use a standard business letter format with the correct name a title of the recipient. Reference the position. Tell them why they should hire you. Say "thank you." State how you will follow up. Include your contact information.
5. Limited search. Too many people only respond to ads and don’t expand on the contacts available to them. Use your phone, fax, e-mail and snail mail to let people know what you’re looking for and to ask for referrals. Use newspapers, the Internet, professional journals, associations, educational and community affiliations and libraries to identify leads and contacts.
6. Negative networking. Networking is not about asking who’s hiring. It’s about information and referrals. Talk with your family, friends, colleagues, fellow alumnae and association members. Reconnect with people. Any community is a source of networking opportunities. Ask for ideas, suggestions, information and feedback.
7. Not preparing. Interviewing to get hired is a skill that most people rarely engage in. Being an expert on one side of the interview table doesn’t prepare a person for being skillful on the other side. Learn as much as possible about the organization, the industry, the department, the position you’re interested in and the people you are interviewing with. Prepare thoughtful questions.
8. Not listening. Avoid the mindset that you are going on an interview to sell yourself. Ask questions and listen. Find out what they are looking for and then match your skills and abilities with their needs.
9. Failure to follow up. Don’t take the attitude that, "If they wanted me, they’d have called me." Send thank-you notes after network meetings and follow-up letters after interviews.

Roll Call Inc. does not represent or make any warranty in respect of the articles, including with respect to the accuracy or reliability of any of the information contained in, distributed through, linked, downloaded or accessed from any of the articles. The opinions and views expressed in these articles do not, necessarily, represent those of Roll Call, Inc. This information submitted by Morris Associates, Inc., a career transitions, outplacement and business learning solutions firm in Washington, D.C. For more information: Call (202) 835-1750.