Even in the best of times, job hunting can feel like tossing your resume into the open sea. Now, with record numbers of applicants, you may not receive a response at all. Career experts agree that if resounding silence is all you get in response to your resume, you may want to know some of the most common reasons why.

They found an EXACT match. In this tight market, there was likely a candidate that fit their needs and had just the right qualifications for the job. Though discouraging, try not to take it personally – there will be something out there that’s a fit for you.

You missed a step in the application process. Make sure you read the posting carefully and follow directions to the letter. It could be the difference in getting the phone call and your resume ending up in the recycle bin.

It’s just not the right job for you. Many applicants are submitting resumes for positions that they are over or under qualified for – if qualified at all. Are you sure you have what it takes to be a CFO or should you really be working in distribution management?

Were you genuinely interested in the job? Candidates that research the company prior to their interview, ask intelligent questions, and have a basic knowledge of how the position they are interviewing for is vital to the success of the business, are in a much better position for a call back.

With all that said, don’t forget the little things like arriving early and being polite. Make sure to always speak positively about a former employer and avoid sensitive subjects like politics and religion. During an interview, it’s often the little things that paint the biggest picture.