Sorry, But...

Tamra B. Orr

    1  How can you deal with rejection and keep on going? Your application was perfect, and your interview was flawless. You answered every question properly, and you were totally qualified for this job. However, to your shock and amazement, you did not get it — you were rejected! Why does this happen — and, even more important, how are you supposed to cope with it? 

    2  There are a variety of reasons someone does not get a job. Some are preventable, and some just are not. For example, you might have missed out because there were 400 applicants for one position, making your chances slim. Perhaps you were rejected because the boss’s nephew got the job instead. Maybe the person who interviewed you was having a rotten day, and that feeling influenced his or her judgment of you. These reasons are out of your control, so don’t dwell on them. Instead, focus on the ones that are preventable — the ones you can do something about. 

    3  Here are some of the most important elements for getting — or not getting — a job: 

    4  Inappropriate personal appearance. It may be the talk of your school, but the latest fad should not be part of what you wear to an interview. Tattoos, for example, may impress your friends, but they almost certainly won’t make the same impression on a potential employer, nor will too much cologne or jewelry. 

    5  Inappropriate attitude. This can be tricky. You need to be confident without appearing cocky, and talkative without rambling. Be respectful and attentive. Show interest in the company and the position you are applying for. Ask questions, but don’t focus on how much you’re going to get paid and when vacation is coming. Always be punctual.

    6  Inappropriate credentials. If you are applying for a job that requires more education or experience than you have, you are likely to be rejected. Your résumé will need to highlight your strengths and abilities. Some employers frown if your GPA isn’t high enough or if you aren’t involved in any kind of extracurricular activities. They also look closely at your job history for indications of stability.

    7  Other common reasons for rejection include sloppy applications, an inflexible schedule, or lack of references. 

      The Answer Is Still No

    8  Even if you do it all right, from application through interview, you may still be rejected. While you don’t have any power over the final decision, you can decide how you are going to respond to it. Keep three things in mind: Get feedback so you can make changes; don’t take the rejection personally; and keep trying. 

    9  When you’re rejected, ask the employer for his reasons, if possible. Do it professionally and calmly; you are there to learn, not argue. What you find out may give you the insight you need to improve your chances of succeeding the next time. Jane Salmons, a senior career adviser, says, “Although you may not always like to hear negative feedback, remember that the purpose of the call is to help you in the future. So whatever you do, don’t argue. You’ve asked for an opinion, so respect it and use it positively. Also, remember that the company may have a future job for which you would be suitable. For example, the first-choice candidate may not be able to take the position, or another suitable vacancy may arise. So don’t burn your bridges.” 

    10  Next, don’t take rejection personally. It does not mean you are incompetent. It means this job does not suit you, so stay focused on the next one. Get right back out there and try again. It’s OK to feel upset for a bit. But then get out of the house, spend some time with friends, reflect on what the experience taught you, and start filling out applications again. 

    11  Rejection can often be one of the most important experiences you will ever have. Look to it for insight, accept it as part of life, and go on — because the next job is out there waiting. As someone once wrote, “One more job rejection is one step closer to a job offer.” 

(686 words)

1. However, to your shock and amazement, you did not get it — you were rejected! 

然而，让你惊讶的是，你却没有得到这份工作——你被拒绝了！

破折号后的 you were rejected 对 you did not get it 起解释说明的作用。短语 to sb. 's shock/amazement 表示“使某人感到惊讶的是” 。

2. For example, you might have missed out because there were 400 applicants for one position, making your chances slim. 

例如，你错过机会或许是因为这一职位有400个求职者，那你成功的几率就很小了。

本句中 might have V-ed 表示对过去事实不确定的猜测， 也可以用 may have V-ed 。对过去事实作肯定猜测用 must have V-ed ，对过去事实的否定猜测用 can't have done 。分词短语 making your chances slim 作结果状语。

3. Instead, focus on the ones that are preventable — the ones you can do something about. 

相反，要关注那些可以避免的原因，即那些你可以有所作为的原因。

本句中的代词 the ones 替代了前面一句中的 the reasons ，避免了重复。破折号后的成分作the ones that are preventable 的同位语，起解释说明的作用。

4. ... but the latest fad should not be part of what you wear to an interview. 

……但最新的时尚不应该是你面试时穿着的一部分。

本句中，从句 what you wear 作介词 of 的宾语。同样的例子还有第七段中的 reflect on what the experience taught you 。

5. Tattoos, for example, may impress your friends, but they almost certainly won’t make the same impression on a potential employer, nor will too much cologne or jewelry. 

例如，文身也许能给你的朋友们留下深刻印象，但它们几乎肯定不会给未来的雇主留下同样的印象。同样，过多的香水或首饰也不会留下太好的印象。

英语中，表示与前面所提到过的情况相同的否定时用 neither 或 nor ，这两个词置于句首时，其后的句子主谓倒装。又如 ：

I can’t go tomorrow and neither/nor can my brother. 

明天我去不了，我兄弟也去不了。

在肯定句中，表示相同情况时用 so ，置于句首时，其后的句子也需主谓倒装。例如：

My mother is ill this week. So is my sister. 

这个星期我母亲病了，我姐姐也病了。

6. While you don’t have any power over the final decision, you can decide how you are going to respond to it. 

虽然你对最终的决定无能为力，但你却可以决定如何对此作出反应。

本句中连词 while 引导让步状语从句，表示“虽然，尽管” 。

7. What you find out may give you the insight you need to improve your chances of succeeding the next time. 

你得到的反馈意见可能会使你更深入地了解自己，这对于提高下次成功的几率是很有必要的。

本句的主语是 What you find out 。

8. Also, remember that the company may have a future job for which you would be suitable. 

同时切记，或许该公司以后会有你适合的工作。

本句中 for which you would be suitable 是一个定语从句，修饰 a future job ，其中关系代词 which 作介词 for 的宾语；在这种情况下，介词可以置于关系代词之前，使句子更加正式。又如：

This is the book for which you ask. 

这就是你要的书。

The man with whom you shook hands just now is our manager. 

刚才和你握手的那个人是我们的经理。

9. ... stay focused on the next one. ……

要继续关注下一份工作。

本句中 stay 作系动词，相当于 be 动词，表示状态。