Appropriate reasons for not hiring a candidate must be specific and job related.

1. No previous or insufficient job experience - i.e. lacks six months required previous experience in a similar or related position.
2. Lacks qualifications (LIST MISSING QUALIFICATIONS) - i.e. lacks required/recommended PC experience, lacks the five years of progressively responsible experience.
3. "Best suited candidate" (list for that candidate why you believe that he or she is the best-suited candidate) - i.e. has six years of experience and has worked with a variety of office machines. Then list what other candidates lacked compared to selected candidate.
4. Unable to do job because of religious reasons or disability and reasonable accommodation will not work or will cause undue hardship.
5. Rejected offer
6. Not interested in job applied for
7. Poor references
8. Lied on application
9. Would not relocate
10. Candidate requires a higher salary than authorized.
11. Communication skills: If you want to use communication skills as a reason for non-hire, you must be specific and list what skill is weak or not comparable to selected candidate.

1. The job involves heavy physical labor, manual dexterity, night hours, overtime, work in isolated conditions, or unpleasant surroundings.
2. Preferences of co-workers, employers, clients or customers -i.e. A co-worker only wants to work with someone who looks like them.
3. The job involves travel, or travel with members of the opposite sex.
4. Candidate is overqualified.
5. An assumption that members of one sex are unable or unwilling to do the job.
6. The job requires personal characteristics not exclusive to either sex such as tact, charm, or aggressiveness.
7. Does not have experience using the same word processor we use.
8. Applicant did not appear enthusiastic in the interview.
   • Communication styles differ and a lack of exuberant enthusiasm may be related to different communication styles.
9. The job was traditionally restricted to members of either sex.
10. Do not rely on second or third hand evaluations of a person, get a current supervisor's evaluation.

1. Categorize applicants for example:
   • The following candidates did not have three years of experience that is required for this position:
   • The following candidates have no experience dealing with the public that is required of this position:
2. Compare applicants to desired applicant.
   The desired candidate has 14 years of experience, has worked with a variety of office equipment, and has experience using paradox. The unsuccessful candidate has 3 years of experience, has no experience using paradox.
3. Take notes while reviewing applications.
4. Design a chart or grid to rank all applicants.
5. Make sure the reasons for not hiring or interviewing a candidate are required of the job and listed on the job description.