Mistakes you cannot afford to commit
From your resume to the way you communicate and even the way you choose to dress for an interview, all of this can have an impact on your chances of being hired. There are multiple factors that influence the final outcome, so if you're seriously hoping to land the job you've always wanted, make sure you don't repeat any of these mistakes.

Nonspecific generic resume
This is one of the most common mistakes that jobseekers make all the time. Even if your resume logically showcases your core-expertise, when you apply for jobs in diverse industries, customising it to suit the specific requirements of the job is a necessity. Don't take the easy way out and send-out the same generic resume to employers in different sectors. Say for instance you're looking for a position in the Resource Management team of a company; it would be wise to keep in mind the fact that everything, from processes to talent retention measures will be markedly different in different industries. Thus a generic resume with your experience in talent management and lateral transfers will not really be sufficient. You will have to tailor your resume to meet the specific demands of the employer, which can be achieved by taking a detailed look at the job requirements and the profile that the employer is looking for. Knowing that your expertise can be put to use in myriad industries is not enough. Finding a way to put that on paper by personalising it to meet diverse employers' requirements is what you will have to do first if you're back in the job market.

Skipping the Cover Letter
Your resume gives the complete list of your accomplishments that makes it easier for an employer to pick you from a database of equally qualified jobseekers. However it is your cover letter that gives a gist of why you'd make the best hire for the position. A lot of jobseekers overlook this necessity when they apply for a job. Succinct and focused, a cover letter states why you'd make the perfect hire, so draft one that gives out your qualifications, experiences and projects you impressively amongst your target employers.

Neglecting interview preparation
Nothing irks an employer more than a candidate who walks-in for the interview unprepared. With the selection process getting tighter by the day, you should keep in mind that when you're called for an interview, make sure you let the employer know why you'd make a good hire. Never walk-in without doing your own bit of research about the company, the job profile and pieces of information that is crucial for you being hired. A quick look at your resume should give you a fair idea of the questions that you can expect, so be prepared to answer them and also make sure that your replies position you as a valuable hire who can bring a lot of expertise and varied experience to the table.

Inappropriate attire
You might feel comfortable wearing something but that doesn't necessarily make it appropriate office attire. It is always better to blunder conservatively than otherwise. So pick an outfit that makes you look professional. Women should make it a point to avoid too much skin-show, make-up and unnecessary accessories. As for men co-ordinate your clothes well and don't pick anything that is too loud, tight, loose, mismatched or too casual. Speaking of accessories, don't forget to wear the right kind of shoes, sneakers, flip-flops, crocs are a big no-no and so are the too strong deodorants.

Unethical behaviour
You're being interviewed, so if your phone rings, keep the conversation short, and tell the caller you'll call back later. Putting your phone on silent mode would be a better option, but in case you forget to do that before you got into the interview, just make sure you ask permission, take the call and tell whoever called that you'd call back later. Don't shout into the phone or tell the story of your life. Being interrupted in the first place is something that no interviewer takes kindly to, and by prolonging the call will only remove you from their prospects list in the blink of an eye. Moreover buzzing cell-phones are not the only episode that is looked down upon. Being rude, bad-mouthing your old employers, lies about your employment history and a lot of other things are also considered unprofessional. So whatever happens, try to be your politest best, cordial and more responsive to ideas. Even non-verbal communication can send-out the wrong signals, if you don't know how, ask around, read about body-language and soft skills and practice communicating professionally. This will not only help you make a good impression but will also come in handy when you manage to bag the job.

Lack of interest
The last thing an employer wants is a candidate who has no interest or passion towards the job. When employees seem unconcerned about the organisation's goals and responsibilities, it will only spiral down to greater damage for the business. So if you like what you do, then research and get to know a prospective employer a little bit more. Ask relevant questions; be curious to know how things work there, without bordering on being snoopy and interfering. If an employer feels that you're not really excited to be part of the team, it can only make you lose the chance of being hired.

Unclear Goals You might not know what your future entails, but that doesn't mean you should not have aspirations. Anyone who is serious about their career would have plans and dreams to be someplace a few years down the line. Though you don't have to tell a prospective employer everything about what you want to achieve, at least when you are asked where you think you'll be ten years down the line, have a ready answer. Being unclear about where you are heading and why you are looking to take up a position can make you come across as a person who has not much of an aim in life. Getting where you want to be boils down to your own spunk and perseverance, but not being sure about the direction that you wish to take will be noticeable to any discerning employer, which can never be good for you.

Uncertain of your own capabilities
You're a brand that an employer is hiring to meet their specific needs. You obviously have something to offer that they are in need of, but are you sure what that is? A lot of people are not even sure of their own value; this is just not the right way to move ahead. Accept it or not you're a commodity too, albeit one that has exceptional capabilities. So find out what that is and make your pitch based on that. When an employer asks you why you should be picked, be confident when you give your reasons. After all you didn't get where you are doing nothing, so state the facts and give substantial details of your experience and expertise. And bear in mind, whatever you do sound confident of the way in which you can add value; have even a teeny-weeny doubt about your abilities and can be sure to kiss the job offer good-bye

Bad follow-up
Even if you badly need the job don't go around hounding the employer. On the other hand if you haven't heard from a prospective employer even after you thought you did quite well in the interview, try getting touch. Just remember not to ask questions about the delay or go about telling how you already have an offer and want to take it up. Well, if you have an offer and would really want to weigh the options then tell the employer without sounding too overbearing. Yes, you can always tell the employer how you very much would like to be placed in their organisation, but unless you know that there was a genuine delay in you receiving a call-back, don't say too much. Find out how long you would have to wait and then take your decision. Sometimes employers wait for the candidate to call-back and enquire to gauge their interest in the position, so while you talk make sure you understand the circumstance and then move rapturously ahead, and not before you have the real picture.

Unresponsive references
So you've got an ex-colleague or boss who'd give you a reference. Good but have you really checked with them and informed that you'll be mentioning their names and there is a chance of them being called for giving one? A lot of people fail to do that, which is certainly not something your new employer should bear with. You give a reference, it better be genuine. Moreover a lot of times candidates give references only to be told that their reference didn't have anything nice to say about them. So if you want to avoid getting into such a position, do your own checks before you start passing around numbers.