Trying to find a job is itself a difficult job. It’s a process that takes time and dedication. If all your efforts haven’t landed you a position yet, there are a few job search mistakes you may be making.

Are you limiting yourself to one industry? You don’t have to focus on jobs related to your degree. In fact, you shouldn’t. You should review your skills and look for career opportunities in other industries that match your qualifications.

Are you only applying to full time positions? You should also look for part-time positions, maternity leave openings and project-based jobs. Temporary positions can provide you with valuable work experience and training. You may also meet professionals in your desired field who can be valuable professional references or help you find positions.

Are you becoming discouraged? It’s easy to feel frustrated or hopeless during a job search, but it’s important to stay positive. Emotions such as self-pity and fear of rejection will only deter you from your job hunt. Keeping a positive attitude will help you get back to your search quickly after you’ve received a rejection or silence after every application.

Are you taking a day – or two – off? Research has found the more time a candidate puts into his or her search, the faster he or she finds a job, Forbes reported. You may feel as if the one, two or even three hours you put in every day are enough but they may not be. If you’ve been looking for a job for weeks or even months, treat your job search like a 9-to-5 job. However, don’t go too far. Balance your search with your outside interests. It’s still important to have a work/life balance when looking for a job.

Are you not networking? Your job search should entail more than blind applications. You should attend networking events hosted by businesses, industry organizations and your alma mater. Also be open to picking up the phone and calling a stranger. Asking an experienced member of your desired industry to coffee can be the fastest way to make connections.

Are you not asking for help? It’s common knowledge searching for a job either for the first time or the tenth time can be frustrating. You don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to friends or family who can review your resume and cover letters. Call your alma mater’s career service office and get set up with a counselor who will provide you with guidance.

When trying to find a job, resume gaps don’t have to be a big red flag. Due to the past few years of a weak economy, gaps of unemployment aren’t new to hiring managers and they won’t get your resume immediately thrown in the trash. There are a few key ways to mitigate any negative effect an employment gap might have: such as providing an explanation upfront on your resume, being prepared to discuss the topic and spinning the experience to how it informs your future endeavors.

Focus on your resume

If there’s a gap longer than a couple months on your resume, it will concern a hiring manager. Because it’s likely that the manager will look at your resume prior to reading a cover letter, address that gap on the resume. Fill in your history the best you can. If you went back to school, were a stay-at-home parent or volunteered - say that. Circumstances absolutely matter to an employer.

If you’re particularly concerned about employment gaps, think about changing the format of your resume. Your resume does not have to be in a chronological order. Switch to a format that emphasizes your qualifications and level of expertise.

Don’t shy away from talking about the gaps

Go into an interview knowing that you will be asked about any periods of employment and be prepared to discuss them. Have an honest answer ready. The honesty part is important. Interviewers have experience working with people and will know when your words don’t ring true. Many managers have experience with candidates that have been previously unemployment so they won’t be entirely unsympathetic.

Just like when an interviewer asks about your weaknesses and you’re job is to spin it into a positive, your job is to spin your unemployment into a beneficial experience. If you were laid off and you’ve been job hunting since, show the interviewer how you’ve been building your skills and networking. Show them that you’re better for the job now than you were at the time you were let go.

Along with your explanation, stay positive. Your attitude can speak just as much as your words.

Don’t dwell on the gaps

Once you’ve clearly explained your unemployment to the interviewer move on to the topic of the future. Talk about how excited you are for the opportunity to work for their company and the skills you bring to the table. This will not only show your positive attitude but will steer the conversation onto a better topic.

Be prepared

Remember, the best way to handle gaps is to be upfront and honest about those times. Have a reason for the period of unemployment on your resume then practice how you’ll discuss it with an interviewer. Remain positive about the experience then move the interview along to a better topic.

During a typical job search, job seekers often go through multiple rounds of interviews with one company. It’s likely a second or third interview could be a meal with the hiring manager or multiple members of the business. It’s important for job seekers to be prepared for this type of situation as it requires additional thought and preparation after the initial phone or in-house interviews.

Here are a few tricks to make sure you give the best impression during a meal

• Don’t arrive at the meal hungry. Eat a small snack on the way so that the interviewers won’t hear a growling stomach. Even though it’s a meal, you should be focused on conversing with the other parties and not concentrating on how good that garlic chicken passing by looks.
• Before you get to the restaurant, turn off your cell phone. Though the interview may be in a more casual setting than the office, it is just as important that you aren’t interrupted.
• Be careful about what you order. Don’t choose anything messy such as spaghetti, ribs, or a delicious blooming onion. Select a meal you can easily eat in small bites. Also, don’t order the most expensive item on the menu – look for a moderately priced meal. If you’re worried about what to order, review the restaurant’s menu online beforehand. This will allow you to come to the meal prepared and not seem indecisive at the table – which can form a perception in the interviewer’s mind.
• Don’t order alcohol even if it’s offered. It is common for interviewers to order beer or wine at a dinner, however, you should not follow suit. If someone offers, they may be testing your judgment. It is best to politely decline and keep your full attention throughout the meal.
• Try and relax – but just a little. Part of the purpose of a meal interview is to show your personality. Be polite to servers, mind your manners and try to enjoy the conversation. However, do not let your guard down, this is not a meal with your friends.
• If you’ve ordered a large meal and you can’t finish it, that’s fine. Don’t have it boxed to go.
• Absolutely don’t forget to say thank you twice. Though you will undoubtedly said thank you at the end of the meal, you should send a thank you note to everyone at the meal. Sending a personal note to everyone present will show you truly paid attention and you are continuing to put in the effort to land the position.