Your job search may just require some fine-tuning before you see results.

According to a recent survey conducted by Resume Builder and YouGov, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected employment for 30% of workers, and almost 25% of Americans say there are no suitable employment opportunities. That’s why it’s more important than ever to make yourself a competitive candidate. Unfortunately, many job seekers are struggling, wondering why their search is taking so long. If you are one of those people, here are some reasons that your job search may not be yielding results.

Your resume doesn’t reflect the job you want

The Resume Builder survey also revealed that only 1 in 4 American workers impacted by COVID-19 update their resumes. That’s a shocking statistic. A common mistake job seekers make is allowing their resumes to reflect their previous positions, not the job they want. For example, if you've spent the last several years in marketing communications but want to pivot to business development, your resume should highlight your skills and experience in that area. It’s easy to write a general resume that lists past job titles and accomplishments, but recruiters look for talent specific to the positions they are looking to fill. Tailoring your resume to fit the work you want will help you land your dream job.

Your job search is too broad

I've had job seekers tell me that they want to "keep their options open," so they purposely keep their job search broad. That’s a mistake. A better approach is to start by identifying what type of job you want. Not just what you would be a good fit for. There may be hundreds of positions that you’d be very qualified for, but would you be jumping up and down with enthusiasm about all of them? While skills and experience are essential, hiring managers also look for passion. Some would even say that passion is the most important credential when looking for a job. That's because skills can be taught, but passion can't. Identify roles you are passionate about so you can bring your whole self to the job interview. That way, you can make it clear how excited you are about the opportunity.

You are ignoring the hidden job market

If you are simply applying to job postings, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. Historically, the hidden job market was about unadvertised jobs. Now it’s about getting to hiring managers and recruiters early in the process, ideally, before the position is posted. That’s why it’s so important to update your social media profiles. Because on LinkedIn, for example, recruiters are actively searching for top candidates based on specific keywords. Networking is also critical. Focus your energy on building relationships to gain access to inside information about job opportunities that may not have been posted publicly yet. Start with people you know, then reach out to friends of friends. Determine who the decision-makers are at your target companies and ask them for a 15- or 20-minute virtual coffee to learn more about the culture. Step out of your comfort zone and craft messages tailored to the individual. You will be surprised by how many positive responses you’ll get.

You aren’t leveraging social media

Social media has become a valuable job search tool that many potential candidates underestimate. In a survey conducted by LiveCareer, 68% of recruiters said job seekers need a LinkedIn profile, and 65% of hiring managers said that they don't mind being contacted by potential candidates on LinkedIn. Studies have also shown that 92% of companies are using social media for hiring and that three out of four hiring managers will search for a candidate’s social profiles. Use social media to research the companies you're interested in. Identify executives in the companies that you are targeting and reach out to them. By following them and commenting on their tweets or posts, you can stand out as a potential candidate. Showing your value will give you an advantage over other job seekers who aren't putting themselves out there. Start posting and reposting items relevant to your career or area of expertise to establish yourself as a thought leader. Strive to have a consistent tone and style throughout all your social media profiles. You should be using these platforms not only to job search but also to build your personal brand.

If your job search is dragging on, don’t take the rejection personally. Your approach may just require some fine-tuning before you see results. In the meantime, don't forget to be kind to yourself. Life is unpredictable, and the journey often takes us in unexpected directions. By accepting and adapting to these challenging situations, you’ll ultimately emerge much more resilient than before.