If you’re applying to jobs and not getting anywhere, it can be frustrating to figure out why you aren’t making progress. By focusing on the stage of the process you are getting stuck on, you can adjust your approach and move forward.

Your job search begins by trying to find open jobs to apply to, and if you aren’t finding any you’re interested in, you might be feeling stuck already. Spend a few moments going through your career scorecard and make sure you know the kind of job you are seeking. Spend some time on your social media platforms (especially linkedin) looking for people who work in a market, sector, or company you are interested in and see if you can make any connections. Your goal is to connect with someone at a company who will talk to you for 10-15 minutes about what it’s like to work there. Talk to your friends, family, and coworkers about your job search and ask them where they think you would be happiest. Listen carefully and adjust your job search based on the feedback they give you.

If you’re applying for jobs and getting ghosted, your resume is what’s getting stuck. You need to send a customized resume for each job you apply to. You should always make sure your resume is tailored to the job description for the job, and doesn’t include any information that isn’t relevant. Make sure your skills translate well, and mimic the same language that’s used in the job description.

The resume is your ticket to the interview, so if you’re interviewing and not getting job offers, there’s something in your interview responses that you need to adjust. Think through your last interview and consider the questions that were confusing, unclear, or you didn’t have a good answer for. Next, write down a response to that question. Google common interview questions and write your responses to those questions, too. Your goal here is to write your responses as many times as you need to until you feel they are authentic, complete answers. Be sure to include as many specific examples from your career to back up your answers with stories and anecdotes. This is your interview cheat-sheet. You don’t need to memorize it, but review it regularly, especially right before you interview.

If you’re feeling stuck in the hiring process, zoom out and look at things as a linear process. Know what you want, find a job to apply to, send a customized resume, and prepare for the interview. Dial in your strategy at each step to get unstuck, feel in control, and get that offer letter.