I got turned down for a job at Echostar via mail.

[coloradodem2005]

I just don't understand why I am such an undesirable candidate for a job. Why the hell am I considered to be so incompetent?

[redqueen]

1. Did they TELL you you were incompetent?

I've heard from more hiring managers that the reasons they don't hire have nothing to do with competence, actually. When the job market is flooded with applicants, they choose based on any of a number of factors. Could be the person who asks for the least money, or who they connect with personally... could be who has the *exact* background they're looking for, or who went to the same college the hiring manager did... or who knows someone there already.

This is not the job market to have any self-esteem issues in, I tell ya.

Don't take it personally... chances are extremely good it's not.

[coloradodem2005]

2. No, they didn't tell me. But it really hurts anyway.

Supposedly there is a place for everybody, but there doesn't seem to be one for me.

The other issue is, I keep having to apply for jobs that I don't really want. Such as customer service or whatnot.

[redqueen]

4. No, there is.

You just have to keep looking. If you'd ever been in sales this would be old hat to you... keep knocking, you'll find the right opportunity eventually.

Don't let the rejections or the fact that there aren't any openings in your field affect your ego. That's possibly affecting your presentation when you go in to see people.

Have you considered a new career path?

[coloradodem2005]

6. I don't have a career path.

I already screwed up in grad school and I can't get another loan, so I can't go back to school right now.

[redqueen]

9. Ick.

Well the coursework you have, might that be useful in getting something in the field you were working towards?

[Missy M]

3. Please don't feel undesirable or incompetent...

...everyone has experienced being turned down for a job or many jobs. Just keep looking and applying and the right job will find you. Remember where you're going is usually better than where you were.

[coloradodem2005]

5. It couldn't be much worse.

[Missy M]

7. You're alive and I assume healthy - whats better than that....

...I know its not easy but if you take one day at a time it helps. I know from experience.

[Mizmoon]

8. I am a masochist

I write books and audition for plays. That means that I spend most of my time having my heartfelt art brutally reject with NO regard for my feelings whatsoever.

Not only do I spend most of my time getting rejected, but I get rejected for stuff that I spent hours and hours, or days and days, or even years and years, working on.

I get through it only by remembering this one thing:

In my quest I WILL hear mostly "no"s,
but all I need is ONE "yes".

Keep as many lines in the water as possible and carry on.
The race goes not to the swift, but to those who can endure.

[leftofthedial]

10. man! I don't even get rejections.

Just crickets.

[eyepaddle]

11. As a recipient of many

"f-off and die letters" just know that you are not alone. On a side note, sometimes that works out for the best--I was having trouble finding work as a hydrogeologist (groundwater clean-up) and took hazardous waste out of despaeration and need. Then segued into the oilfield--and used that experience to get that groundwater job I'd thought I was studying for in college.

Turns out I hate hydro. I've been in Haz waste for eight years now and can truly say it is my favorite job yet. You know that could only happen by accident--who the hell would plan on working in hazardous waste management?!?

That isn't to make light of your struggles, nor to tell you that you WILL find a better job that you hadn't planned on, just that sometimes good things do happen.

Whichever way you go, good luck.

[youspeakmylanguage]

12. You need to identify what is disqualifying you...

Do you have a criminal record? A negative job history? Good references? Is your resume in perfect condition? (No typos, screwed-up margins, etc). If you are applying via the web, are you submitting information free of typos, etc?

Do you have a presentable appearance? Tattoos? Piercings? A strange haircut? Are you clean? Do you have conservative (khakis? button-down shirts? Nazi arm bands? Just kidding about the last one) clothing if the work environment requires conservative clothing?

Lastly, are you friendly, confident, and focused during the job interview? Keeping eye contact, etc?

Working as a corporate drone sucks, but the salary and benefits usually provide the semi-comfortable life that most people desire, although without a lot of security. There are a lot of books, schools, and even contractors that can help you better prepare a resume and yourself for an interview.

If you don't want to mold your appearance and personality to fit what the average corporate recruiter wants, you may be wasting your time. If you don't desire a soul-numbing work routine in exchange for that semi-comfortable life, you may want to look into other options, such as joining the peace corps or another volunteer organization. It shocks me how many people w/ visible tattoos and/or funky piercings complain that the corporations to which they apply won't hire them.

Also, if you REALLY desire a better life through white collar employment, you may need to relocate to an area that has a more vibrant job market. Even (GASP!) a red-state hellhole like Texas or Alabama.

[givemebackmycountry]

13. Consider yourself lucky...

I don't work FOR Echo-Star, but I know a lot of people who do.
I work for a company that provides critical services to Echo-Star.
We've been to their offices outside Denver as well as their up-link stations in Wyoming and Arizona.

We have heard that they treat their employees horribly, and conversations that I have had with Echo-Star folks at three in the morning support this.

Maybe you got lucky this time.

Good Luck, you'll get the job you want eventually.

[tjdee]

14. Maybe because you think so poorly of yourself?

I know it sucks to be turned down, but you know what?
Maybe the person they hired had more experience, or anything. It doesn't matter. You weren't meant to get that job, you'll get another one.

But you've got to stop being so down on yourself.
They didn't say you were incompetent--YOU did. How do you think you're going to get hired if you think you're so incompetent and are so down on yourself? You think people can't sense that?