Have you ever applied for a job or completed an interview, only to never hear back? These scenarios can be frustrating, especially when you don’t hear back from a job you were really excited about. While there are many reasons this could happen, many of which you have no control over, there are a few common mistakes you may be making that cost you the job.

Submitting a generic resume. When making a resume, you want to show off your skills and achievements. However, you also want your potential employer to see why you are perfect for the job. Instead of having one, generic resume, you should have several that are tailored to specific positions. Take a look at the necessary skills listed in the job description, then add the skills that apply to you to your resume. Focus on being relevant for the job first, then you can focus on being impressive.

Making mistakes on the application. This can be anything from a simple spelling mistake, to something bigger like placing the wrong email or answering the wrong question. If a potential employer sees mistakes on the application, then they’ll assume you’ll make mistakes on the job as well. Make sure you proofread your application, as well as your resume or cover letter several times before you submit. Better yet, have a friend or family member proofread it as well.

Seeming disinterested or lacking confidence. It’s okay to still be unsure about a job or nervous during the interview stage, but acting disinterested or lacking confidence during the interview can be a huge turn off to a potential employer. To combat this, make sure you have researched the company ahead of time and prepare questions to ask the interviewer. Knowledge can make you more confident, especially when asked an interview question such as “What do you know about us?” Having questions prepared will also show confidence and tells the interviewer that you are interested in the job. (Read last week’s blog to learn more about appearing confident)

Appearing to be a flight risk. Companies don’t want to hire people that might leave in only six months. If you’ve had a long list of jobs in a short amount of time, make sure you have good explanations for each. Also, make sure you aren’t only showing interest in the company, but the job itself. If you focus solely on the company, it will seem as if you’re only interested in the position to get your foot in the door. By also showing interest in the specific job, they’re less likely to get the impression that you’ll want to leave or transfer soon after being hired.

Whether you just graduated or are just looking for a change of pace, there is a lot to consider when looking for a job. Here are the four biggest areas you need to keep in mind during the job search process.

Location. Before you start looking for jobs, you need to consider how far you’re willing to commute to work everyday. Would you commute an hour or possibly relocate for the perfect job? If not, you need to decide what is an acceptable commute and search for jobs within that distance.

Reputation. Does the company you’re applying to have a good reputation? Do they offer benefits and treat their employees well? When considering a job you need to look at the environment the company creates. Websites like Glassdoor.com allow you read reviews by past employees to get a good indication of how you’ll be treated as an employee if you get hired at the company in question.

Qualifications. You need to be honest with yourself about your experience and abilities, meaning you should look for jobs seeking candidates with your skill set. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore all positions that you don’t qualify for 100 percent. It’s good to reach for opportunities. For example, if a job opportunity is seeking someone with 3 years experience in the field and you only have 1 but earned a lot of experience in the process, still give it a shot and apply. However, if a job requires a master’s degree and you only have an associate degree, that may be too far of a stretch.

Personal Satisfaction. Money and benefits are important, but so is your personal satisfaction. If you don’t love the work you’re doing, it’s going to be hard to get up early every day for work, no matter how large of a paycheck you get at the end of the week. Make sure you are clear about the type of work you’ll be doing if you get hired. Also consider the ethics, goals and purpose of the company. If the company’s ethics don’t fall in line with your own personal ethics, then it may be personally taxing to work there every day.

Looking to find out what career is right for you? Take a course at Next Step Academy to find out if it would be a good fit.