Seven reason you may not get the job!

You’re ready to job hunt. You’re excited about the next step in your life. But what if getting a job is not as easy as you expect. Here are some under-the-radar issues that can keep you from being hired.

You have unreasonable expectations. Everybody wants the perfect job. But if your criteria are too high, if you're too demanding, you may not get a callback. Nobody wants to be told to compromise, but in today’s economy, you will probably have to do just that. Analyze your wants and needs. Which are must haves? Which are negotiable?

You rely too much on one search technique. You can’t just apply online, or only network, or only use employment agencies, or only approach companies you know are hiring. Don't limit yourself to just one job-search method. Try them all. Cast a wide net, continue to build your connections, get creative.

You use the word "I" too often in your cover letter. The most effective way to make potential employers want to talk to you is to put the focus more on them than on you. Show the interviewer you've done your homework and know what your target companies are seeking. Then tell them how you can fill those needs.

You do not demonstrate long-term potential. You need a job now. But employers, the good ones at least, tend to think long term. They want to know not only how you will contribute today but in the future, too. Be able to answer the "Where do you see yourself in five years?" question. They really want to know.

You unknowing repeat mistakes. After every interview, take time to analyze how the interview went. What was said? How did you feel you performed? Trying to understand why you didn’t get a job may cause you to change your approach.

You don’t rehearse. You don’t prepare a list of expected questions and rehearse the answers because you don’t want to sound phony. You want to be yourself. But your chances will be better if you practice your answers until you can speak comfortably and confidently.

You put your job search on hold while waiting to hear back. Don't fall into this trap! If you have a couple of super interviews with your dream employer, you may want to sit back and wait until you hear from them before interviewing with other companies. Don’t do it. Keep on networking, applying, interviewing, and researching until you have a firm job offer in hand.

Adapted from an article on Yahoo Finance written by Karen Burns, author of career advice The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use.