If you are job hunting and your efforts have been fruitless, perhaps you are not doing everything you can to ensure that employers are seeing you in your best light. CareerBuilder.com offers this list of mistakes you should avoid when looking for a job and interviewing for positions:

1. Not keeping track of your accomplishments: keep a running list that you can refer to when it’s time to update your resume.
2. Leaving a position on a bad note: remember that you will need references.
3. Neglecting to network: don’t keep silent about your job search (except among co-workers).

4. Confining your search to the Internet: contact companies you would like to work for, even if they aren’t advertising a position online.
5. Looking for the perfect job: don’t set yourself up for disappointment by being unwilling to compromise on any requirements.
6. Using a generic cover letter: each time you apply for a job, your cover letter should be tailored to the position/company you are considering.
7. Having typos in your cover letter or resume: ask someone you can trust to proofread your resume and cover letter.
8. Allowing prospective employers to contact you at your current job: in addition to creating confidentiality issues, this could be signal to a prospective employer that you would use their time to search for a job.

9. Focusing only on yourself in your cover letter: in addition to highlighting your accomplishments, you need to show that you understand the potential employer and what their needs are.
10. Including unnecessary information in your resume: your resume should be targeted at the skills you have for the position you are applying for – there’s no need to include positions or skills that aren’t applicable, such as a summer job working at a fast food chain if you are applying for a position as a financial analyst.
11. Arriving at an interview late: no one likes to be kept waiting!
12. Dressing inappropriately for a job interview: your style of dress should be similar to that of current employees, or one step higher.
13. Not having any questions during an interview: this says you don’t really care about the job.

14. Saying something bad about a former boss: this could be an indication to a potential employer that you would likely badmouth them in the future.
15. Not being attentive during the interview: actions such as answering your phone or looking through your bag will show you are not interested.
16. Neglecting to research the position: if you don’t know what the responsibilities of the job are, you can’t convince the interviewer you are the person for the job.
17. Neglecting to research the company: this is another sign that you are not motivated.
18. Failing to follow common etiquette: it should go without saying that gum chewing, bad language, poor hygiene, etc. have no place in an interview.

19. Not realizing you are in an interview situation from the moment you walk in the door: making a good impression on all of the employees is important.
20. Discussing salary too soon: a good guideline is to wait for the hiring manager to bring up the issue of salary.
21. Failing to send a thank you note after an interview: it is common courtesy to follow-up with an e-mail or letter.
22. Being over-aggressive in follow-up: it is not acceptable to call, e-mail or stop by the office repeatedly after an interview.
23. Forgetting to learn from your mistakes: if you don’t get the job, mentally review the interview and determine how you can improve the next time.
24. Reapplying to the same company over and over: this may make it appear as though you are applying for any job rather than the one that is the best suited to you and your skills.

25. Stopping your search for a job while you are awaiting a response after an interview: you have nothing to lose by continuing to look for a job while you are waiting – and you may even find a better opportunity.