Gone are the days when the job market overflowed with openings, and your biggest problem was weighing competing offers. Nowadays, it’s an employers’ paradise, and most people count themselves lucky to still hold a job.

Truly, the competition can be tough and companies very selective. Knowing this, you can’t afford to be lax and to feed attitudes and behaviors that could blow your chances away. Here, six things you need to correct so you don’t cheat yourself out of a job.

1. Poor self-esteem
Do you often feel worthless and find yourself on the brink of tears? Are you frequently at the point of giving up? Do you often say, “How come she has a job and I don’t?” Wallowing in self-pity and making comparisons do no good and only bring more pressure upon yourself. Your search may be taking longer than expected, but keep in mind that, with determination and patience, your time will come.

The best thing to do is to condition yourself to be in the right frame of mind as you hit the job trail. Tell yourself you are a unique individual with something of value to offer the employer. Know that lack of self-confidence will show through during the interview. According to Ronnie Turla, HR specialist of Global Brands, your self-image-or lack of it-is one of the first things interviewers spot. If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you convince any company to believe in you and hire you?

2. Lack of focus
Failing to commit to or focus on your job search is another major mistake. How much time do you devote to this campaign, anyway? Perhaps you spend more time watching soap operas, sleeping and going out with friends than you do looking for a job. If you’re really serious about it, make your search a top priority, and spend at least 20 hours a week on job-hunting-related activities.

“Why not enhance your skills while waiting for employment opportunities?” suggests Jun Laxa, human resources business partner of Cypress Semi-Conductors. Since it’s really a battle of the fittest, bring yourself up to fighting form by diversifying and adding to your skills set to give yourself an edge.

3. Shotgun approach
Are you the type of jobseeker who distributes his resume to companies indiscriminately? Do you even bother to check if there are vacancies? This is not the way to spread the word that you’re on the market. While your resume might be lucky enough to land in the active file, it is more likely to be discarded as generic, so-so and lacking focus. A better approach: Check out the classified ads or make an online job search for those positions that really interest you and match your capabilities. Then craft a resume that puts forth your strongest points as they relate to the particular needs of the position and the employer.

4. Poor networking skills
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. In the jobseeker’s world, this can be quite true-you need people’s help to get far. “If you don’t rub elbows with the right people, you’ll find it difficult to find a job,” warns Laxa. Having references in particular can have a positive impact on your search. People who know you or have worked with you in the past can attest to your working style, performance, interpersonal skills, and commitment. So make sure that your colleagues, friends and family have a copy of your resume and that they can vouch for you if they are asked by an employer.

Other networking activities you can pursue include visiting job fairs and collecting calling cards to get to know more hiring people. You can also attend workshops, take up graduate studies and join clubs to meet more professionals in your field. Remember that some companies don’t advertise their job openings, and the power of networking can lead you into untapped territories.

5. Lack of preparation
Many people who can’t snag a job lose out because they aren’t willing to put in a little sacrifice and hard work, essential factors for a positive outcome to your search. Once you’ve managed to bag an interview appointment, don’t forget to read up on the company (their website is a good source of information) and know more about the position and how you can fit in.

“Be aware of current trends in business and economics, as well as of current events so that you can stay on top of any conversation,” says Turla. By not leaving anything to chance, you can have higher chances of doing right in the interview and getting hired.

6. Keeping silent
Sometimes candidates can become so tense they forget to ask questions during the interview. Don’t allow this to happen to you. To some interviewers, not asking questions gives the impression that you’re not interested in the job. So do ask questions-intelligent ones, too-if invited to do so. You can inquire about what skills and qualities are essential for the position, the expectations of the job, how you would be rated, the company’s culture, etc.

During the initial interview, refrain from asking questions pertaining to salary and related matters. Asking monetary questions prematurely can convince the employer you’re more interested in the perks you can get from them than in being an asset to the organization.