Are you having trouble getting hired? There are a number of interview and resume tips you can utilize in your job search, but sometimes, the harsh truth may be that you’re just not as employable as you should be. Whether it’s just a matter of presenting yourself a bit differently or making some updates to your professional experience and skillset, there are ways to make yourself more employable in today’s job market, and we have you covered. Try out these few tips the next time you’re job hunting and you may just find yourself to be more in-demand than you expected.

Work on your skills. Acquiring a new technical skill or brushing up on something you’ve been out of practice with can make a huge difference in qualifying for certain positions, so try polishing, updating, and growing your skillset while looking for work. There are a number of ways to do so, such as taking on a temporary assignment, volunteering, accepting independent projects, blogging, and etc., but the best thing you can do is focus on acquiring skills that are of interest and relevant to you as a person—not just pursuing ones that might look good on your resume. If you pick up something that you’re truly invested in, you’ll master it much more quickly, and your passion will show through when you next discuss it in an interview.

Keep your education up to date, but don’t rely on it. If going back to school to acquire more education in your field is something you want to do, go for it! However, don’t rely on education alone to carry you to your next position. It’s becoming increasingly common today for advanced degrees to be preferred, rather than required, assets for many roles. Ranking higher on the list of requirements are often work experience and relevant soft skills that qualify you for the duties you’ll be responsible for.

Step up your networking. Do you have a great LinkedIn profile, but few contacts? Do you know a few key people in your field but don’t keep in touch with them? Whether it’s as simple as improving your online presence or sending out a few emails, be sure to stay on top of your networking game. At the very least, keeping in touch with your contacts will keep you up to date on industry news and encourage you to think analytically about your field, which can translate into better interviews in the future.

Get a mentor, be a mentor. Whatever level of your career you’re in, mentorship should be a part of it. On one hand, having a mentor can open you up to many new skills, opportunities, and experiences, while on the other, being a mentor shows dedication. Either way, being part of a mentor-mentee relationship can help you grow personally as well as make you stand out amongst other candidates.

Find a way to tell your story. Anyone can create a resume that lists their experience and skills, but what employers really want to see is how all these separate facets come together to make you the professional you are.  For example, noting on your resume that you held two jobs while attending school can speak to your time management and dedication, while detailing in a cover letter that you took extra courses during a period of unemployment to brush up on your skills will fill in the gaps in your work history that your resume might leave open. Rather than create a laundry list of achievements and competencies, find a way to tie them all together to create a whole picture.