When you finish school, college or an internship, it can be terribly frustrating when it seems like nothing is moving and no employer wants you.

*Cue feelings of disappointment and inadequacy*

You think you have the experience, right? So, why are you getting zero responses from your chosen employers?

Even if you think you might be doing everything perfectly, it turns out that many of us can slip up on a few simple aspects.

Writing for the Huffington Post, Nancy Laws, who has been in the recruiting game for years, writes, “Moving from one interview to the next without a positive response can be frustrating, but the problem, no matter how much it may suck, might be with you.”

So, to avoid these pitfalls, here are five pieces of advice on how to get your foot in the door:

Be honest

This is rule numero uno. While researching this piece, nearly every recruiter said that they were shocked by how many people lie on their CV.

From putting down job titles that they never had to internships they never completed, nobody is going to hire a dishonest person.

One business manager told HP, “The moment I realise that an applicant has been dishonest, I simply move on. What’s the point of trusting a dishonest person?”

 

Be qualified

By applying for a job you’re not qualified for, you’re not only wasting your own time, but the employer’s time too – and that will leave a bad taste in their mouths.

It pays to acknowledge your qualifications and whether or not these are fit for the job you are applying for as a company’s hiring process is a strenuous one. The human resources department will require you to present your qualifications for the job you are applying for, this in itself is a profession worthy to take note of and you might even consider taking a human resources mba if this is in line with your preferred career path.

“Applying for a Sales and Accounts Manager position, with a background in childcare is a bit over ambitious and slightly annoying,” says the HP’s career guru.

In other words, be smart about what job you apply for.

 

Be enthusiastic

We know that going for an interview can be stressful and in some cases, you just turn into an overflowing bag of nerves, but failing to show enthusiasm for the job is not a great way to make a first impression.

Acknowledge your nerves but don’t let them stop you from communicating your passion for the job. “How you speak, how you enter the room, and how comfortable you look are really important,” says John Lees, a career strategist for the Harvard Business Review.

If you’re excited in the interview, the employer will leave feeling good about you.

 

Remember, you’re worthy

This is one thing that hinders most people when applying for a job. You might be the best candidate for it, but then you enter the interview and downplay your achievements, or don’t communicate them properly.

“If your past achievements are not directly related to the job, but you’ve demonstrated a great ability to learn and adapt to new situations, you should very clearly articulate that,” says John.

Employers want to know how valuable you are to their company, so learn how to communicate your best assets; it’ll bring you and your employer closer to understanding each other.

 

Dress appropriately

Now, we’re not saying you need to don your best Hilary trouser suit to every interview, but know what is appropriate and, well… what’s not.

We’re told by Nancy Laws, “The way you choose to dress for an interview is a reflection of the value that you will bring to the position, and a reflection of how you value yourself.”

Going to an interview dressed in the latest NYFW trend might not impress a banker, but if you’re being interviewed for a quirky fashion magazine, then work away.

 

Now, go in and knock ’em dead.