If you are in the process of searching for employment but have yet to be successful, there are a number of reasons why this may be the case. It is important to assess every aspect of your job search, from the contents of your CV to your behavior during the interview.

Below are some of the many reasons why you aren't making the cut:

1.Boasting about your accomplishments

Although there is no harm in discussing your accomplishments in an interview and selling yourself in a positive light, there is a fine line between doing this and blowing your own trumpet. Recruiters like to hear about your accomplishments but as soon as you come across as arrogant and boastful they will no longer view you positively.

Answer all interview questions with complete sincerity and if you are proud of your accomplishments, demonstrate them in an objective manner.

2.Hassling the interviewer

Towards the end of the interview you should ask the interviewers what their intentions are from here onwards and when you will be able to get a result with regards to the next stage in the interview process.

Once your interview has taken place you should follow the interview with a thank you note expressing your gratitude to the interviewers' time. It is also wise to use this opportunity to follow up on one of the questions that you were asked during the interview and explain exactly why you want the job. Keep the note brief and to the point and do not send any gifts with your thank you note. From here, be patient in waiting for the result as you do not want to be seen as desperate.

3.Flattery gets you nowhere...

Do not be too nice or overly accommodating during the interview as the recruiter will perceive you as a weak character that is unable to express their true opinion. You never know, the interview could be asking you particularly awkward questions as a test of your personality and character! If you have an opinion about certain matters do not be afraid to express it provided that you do so with tact and awareness.

4.Weak online branding

The internet is an incredibly public facility that is openly accessible to anymore. It is therefore crucial to be sure that any online activity you perform is either set to private or generally acceptable. Anything you post on your social media profiles will likely be found by recruiters so bear this in mind also! Additionally, if you have your own website, ensure that the content is acceptable and not controversial in any way.   

5.Speaking too soon!

After any job interview it is easy to gloat about how well it went, particularly if you are at the stage of discussing salaries and the company’s pay scheme. However, a job offer can change at any moment and it is therefore better to remain quiet until you have signed a contract.

Avoid any mention of success on your social networking sites, your personal blog or other forums. If recruiters spot your boldness they may change their minds before you even get the chance to sign the contract. 

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Career advisor's and news outlets can't seem to stop buzzing about the miracle of social media. From every direction, we're blasted with messages about the astonishing impact Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can have on the growth of our careers. And there's no doubt these message hold some truth. But watch out. Social media isn't a career-boosting cure-all, and when used recklessly, it can actually cause more than good. Keep an eye on these sneaky ways social media sites may be holding you back.

1. Wasted time

Launching a job search? Trying to use every resource at your disposal? Great. There's no harm in posting a Facebook update to announce your unemployed status and ask for help and leads. And there's also nothing wrong with sending a contact invitation to your former boss or mentor via LinkedIn. But if you find yourself following the twitter feeds of twenty corporations that may or may not be hiring any time soon, checking Facebook every five minutes waiting for those leads to come in, or innocently viewing your former boss's page and then burning the next hour looking through her vacation photos of Istanbul, you have a problem.

2. A false sense of two way communication and connectivity

People aren't reading your blog as much, or as intently, as you may believe. They aren't checking your LinkedIn page as often as you may assume. The window of social media works two directions, but you only have control over the traffic in one direction. After you've skimmed through a hundred of those Istanbul vacation photos, you may feel like you went on that trip right along with your old boss and the two of you are closer than ever. Think again.

3. Potential leaks of embarrassing personal information

You may assume this one doesn't apply to you because you adjusted the privacy settings on all your college drinking photos. But what viewers find embarrassing and what you find embarrassing don't always match. Control ALL the information you share, not just naked photos and swear words. And recognize that the more you use social media and the more photos you post, the more complex this challenge becomes. Remember: There's nothing wrong with maintaining an aura of mystery.

4. Pigeon-holing yourself by being too specific

If your blog sends one message and one message only, as in "I'm a level 2 certified CNC programmer with a two year degree in systems maintenance; I'm looking for a full-time operations position in north Des Moines," you may be limiting your future without realizing it. Right now, the job you describe may feel like the only thing you want in this life. But there may be other options and opportunities available to you that can pass you by if your persona, your goals, your interests, and your needs are presented in a way that's too narrowly focused.

Don't Rely on Social Media Alone: Expand Your Options

Feel free to use social media to support your job search…but be careful. And make sure your blog, LinkedIn account, and Facebook profile aren't the only tools you're using to get ahead. Expand your options and resources by reaching out to your connections in person. And stay focused on real-world skill development and the strength of your resume and application materials. LiveCareer can help. Visit the site to access a valuable set of tools, like resume builders, salary surveys, and career aptitude tests that can keep you on track and help you make genuine, steady progress up the career ladder.

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