Just because the economy may be on the upswing doesn’t mean job seekers should get complacent. The survey also suggests that few hiring managers believe job seekers have the right skills to land the job. It notes that only 15 percent of hiring managers say nearly all or most job seekers have the skills and traits their companies are looking for in candidates.

Alexandra Levit, business and workplace author, consultant and Career Advisory Board member, suggests the following tips to help make yourself more marketable as a job seeker:

Showcase past results. Hiring managers want proven candidates. Most people would hesitate to take a risk on someone who claims he or she can do the job. As a result, many employers prefer to hire internally because they already know the candidate and can anticipate the person’s potential. It is up to you to demonstrate why you’re the best candidate. How can you prove yourself worthy and overcome this objection? Levit says: “Assuage their concerns by clearly demonstrating why your past employers were better off because of your efforts and how those efforts relate to what you’ll do at the new organization.”

Be sure your résumé and all job search marketing materials focus on your skills and accomplishments. List specific results you created for your employers and be clear about what impact you had at work. Another important tip: Be sure to highlight your role in any results, and don’t let it get lost in a description of how your team performed.

Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Job Seekers Make and How to Avoid Them.

Train and retrain. If you’ve been in the workforce a long time, you’ll remember when employees used to rely on employers to suggest and provide training opportunities. “In increasing numbers, employers believe professional development is the individual’s responsibility,” Levit notes. Take charge of your own professional development: proactively sign up for coursework, volunteer assignments and other programs that will keep your skills fresh and relevant.

Roll with the punches. One thing you can count on in any workplace is that things will change. Employers want to hire people who can be flexible and adapt as needed. “Show potential employers that you are adaptable, can maintain a positive attitude and work effectively no matter what happens tomorrow,” Levit says. One way you can feature your positive, flexible approach is via your social media streams. Avoid complaining – even if the complaints have nothing to do with work. Include information in your updates to show that you can roll with the punches. For example, “Was surprised, but excited to learn we’re changing how we handle invoices. Can’t wait to learn a new system.” The alternative is unlikely to win favor: “Couldn’t believe they’re making another change. I wish accounting would get their act together.”

Tap a mentor. A mentor can help you stay ahead of the curve so you’ll offer value to your next employer. “Mentors provide an honest and objective perspective on your career that your friends and family can’t,” Levit explains. “They are the ones to tell you if you are presenting yourself in a way that’s holding you back, or if there’s something in your background you should play up more.” Connect with someone willing to invest time and energy in you and you’ll be more marketable for jobs today and in the future.

Want to avoid typical job seeker mistakes? Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Job Seekers Make and How to Avoid Them.

Originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report.

The post How to be a better job seeker in 2014 appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Could you be doing these things wrong at work?

If you want to stay on track and give yourself the best shot at being as successful as possible, avoid the following habits:

Do not worry about things you cannot control.
The economy, your nasty boss, the weather – you can’t change them, so don’t spend your time focusing on them. Instead, choose things you can control and focus on how to make changes to improve yourself. At the same time, don’t be too quick to label what things are beyond your control.

For example, even though the economy isn’t strong, you can influence how likely it is for you to land a new job if you are proactive about networking and create strong job search marketing materials.

Do not obsess about what otherwise insignificant people think about you.

While this negative habit may be most obvious and prevalent in young people, many of whom spend endless hours worrying about what others think about them, peer pressure does not end at high school graduation. If you find yourself concerned about what other people may say about your choices, your appearance or your habits, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and aggravation by focusing on only the people you need to please. In most cases, that includes yourself, your boss and your family or close friends.

Do not procrastinate.
Another habit that affects you both at work and in your personal life, procrastinating can only hurt you in both places. When you avoid an important project or conversation, it takes up emotional energy you could be using to make positive changes in your life. Don’t think that your boss won’t notice if you can’t get a project started or if you always wait until the last minute to finish something. No matter how difficult a project or challenge seems, you’ll be better off taking care of it step-by-step instead of putting it off for another day.

Don’t be careless.
You may be surprised by how even small careless mistakes can affect your professional reputation. If you consistently make spelling or grammar errors, for example, you may lose respect and potentially opportunities to advance at work. When you are disorganized and let things slip through the cracks at work, you will earn a reputation for being someone who can’t get things done, so pay attention to even the smallest details.

Do not fall down an Internet rabbit hole.
It’s easy to get distracted and realize you’ve just spent two hours reading banal status updates on Facebook instead of getting your work done. Be disciplined about your time. Have a goal in mind when you get online and be single-minded about achieving it. Some days, your goal will be to catch up with friends or share your vacation photos. However, if you know you need to accomplish something specific, such as researching a particular topic or subject, don’t veer off task, or you’ll never finish.

Do not badmouth people.
No doubt, gossiping with like-minded people can be a quick way to bond, both in and outside of work. However, when you’re always looking for the latest dirt to share, you’re likely souring your own reputation, and it can be very difficult to recover it.

Don’t hold grudges.
You’ve heard this advice before; holding a grudge hurts you more than it affects the person you’re trying to punish. Be the bigger person and move on; you’ll be glad you did.

Don’t complain constantly.
Every office has a whiner – the person you can count on to complain, no matter what changes come down the pike. Take a close look at yourself and make sure that person isn’t you. If you must gripe and moan, consider relying on a pet as your audience. No matter what you do, avoid sharing your every frustration via social media. When you subject friends to all of your unhappy rants, it may make them hesitate to make an introduction or to help you network when you’re looking for a new job or growing a business.

Do not obsess about the past.
If you’re constantly looking in the rear view mirror you and focusing on past history, you’ll miss opportunities just ahead. Instead of worrying about how you could have done things differently, make a pact with yourself to create positive changes. Of course, it isn’t always as easy as simply deciding to make a change, but your attitude controls your actions. One step at a time, begin to focus on what changes you want to see in your future and you’ll be that much closer to accomplishing them.

You may also like…
6 Habits Of Remarkably Successful People
Secrets to Being Happier at Work
Questions to Ask Before You Accept a Job Offer

This originally ran on AolJobs.com

The post 9 things you’re doing wrong at work appeared first on Keppie Careers.