It doesn’t matter whether you’re recently unemployed, stuck in a job you hate or just looking for a change; Job hunting is a long and frustrating process. If things go to plan, then all is well in the world, but, if just one thing goes wrong, you could be left with even less than you had in the first place.

Thankfully, many of these potential troubles are somewhat in your control, with your own blunders resulting in major mishaps. With that in mind, here are five simple mistakes to avoid.

1. Applying Through Online Listings

While local newspapers used to be to go-to source for job listings, these days, most job hunters visit a few of the thousands of job forums and employment sites online. These are great sources of information, allowing people to find open positions, learn about the companies, and apply quickly and simply.

The only issue with this method is that, with so many applicants each day, you’re unlikely to get noticed. Because of this, it’s often better to apply to companies directly.

2. Using A Wrong Resume

Your resume is the very first chance you have to impress a potential future employer. Because of this, it’s absolutely vital that yours is in great shape.

If the resume you submit is littered with grammatical errors, typos, and other mistakes, you’ll probably find it difficult to secure an interview. To avoid this, ensure you proofread your resume before you submit it.

Lying on your resume can also come back to bite you, so ensure any information you give is truthful.

3. Ignoring The Required Qualifications

Landing any type of employment is going to be tough if your skills and qualifications don’t match up to those required for the role. With that in mind, you must check what the company is looking for and take the time to boost your skills if necessary.

If full-time work makes this tricky, consider distance learning, and take whatever class you need, whether it be an online mental health counseling masters or accounting degree. This will ensure you’re in with a fighting chance.

4. Not Preparing For Interviews

Considering how highly sought after and important interviews are in the hiring process, far too many applicants fail to prepare for them properly.

Before heading to this crucial meeting, you must take the time to research your interviewer, the company as a whole, and your position. This will give you an idea of questions you might be asked, as well as questions you should ask yourself. You must also have proof of your qualifications and references to hand.

5. Posting Inappropriate Content Online

Before deciding whether or not to offer you a job, most hiring managers will spend some time looking through your social media. This gives them an idea of the sort of person that you are, and as such, serves as an indication as to whether or not you would be a good fit for their company.

With that in mind, you must ensure that everything you post is positive and professional. If you can’t do this, you may want to increase your privacy settings.

Job hunting can be long and tricky, but, by avoiding the mistakes listed above, you won’t make it any worse.