Finding a job isn’t easy. It can be especially difficult when you feel you’re qualified for the position but you keep getting passed over. What’s causing this disconnect? If you’re facing constant rejection, it might be time to look at yourself and figure out what you might be doing wrong. Here are four common behaviors when looking for work that will leave recruiters looking at other options.

1 - Poor Resume

Without a referral or working for the company previously, your resume will be the first time a recruiter hears from you. This first impression will be the deciding factor on whether you are even considered for the job and moved to the next step in the hiring process.

Before sending your resume in, check for spelling and grammar issues. If you’re applying for a highly coveted position, these mistakes will more than likely disqualify you right away.

Another aspect of the resume to remember is the format. You should be as succinct as possible while still getting all your important and relevant experiences and skills across. Your resume should be limited to one page, unless you have a lengthy work history. If that’s the case, it should be no more than two pages. One formatting tip is to use bullet points and proper spacing when describing your experiences and the results you achieved. This will maintain an organized and readable structure.

2 - Bad Social Media Image

Besides your resume, social media will also serve as one of the recruiter’s first impressions of you. By making sure that your posts are clean or your profiles are private, you’ll lower the likelihood that any past activity will hurt your chances of landing a job.

But hiding your accounts isn’t always the best option. In fact, having an active presence on social media can improve your career prospects. If you enjoy posting on social media you should continue to do so, just make sure the content that you’re putting out is appropriate for your future employer to see.

3 - Level of Interest

You may think that submitting an application is enough to show that you want the position but it isn’t when you’re competing with other talented individuals. Show your enthusiasm for the opportunity by asking questions about the company or job.

While you might be applying for other positions, treat each one as if it is the only one. Recruiters want to see your excitement, but don’t take it too far where you are bothering them by following up constantly. If they plan on getting back to you on a specific day, you shouldn’t reach out to them in the days leading up to it. This aggressive enthusiasm could be your downfall.

4 - Not Following Directions

One quick way for recruiters to cut off communication is if you don’t follow the directions or advice they give. When they provide information about a company or the hiring process, you should listen to it. They are sharing this information to help you get the job.

If you struggle with following directions when applying for the job, will this foreshadow issues if you were to get it? That is what goes through the mind of a recruiter. They don’t want to place people at companies where it won’t work out.

In the end, all these mistakes come down to miscommunication. It is critical to give the right information to the recruiter in the right way. By doing that, you’ll put them in a better position to find you the best job sooner.