5 simple mistakes that could derail your job search

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It's pretty much a given that once a contestant on "The Bachelorette" becomes a little too confident and boasts about their front-runner status (ahem, Derek), they're basically a goner.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with being self-assured, but overconfidence can sometimes cause you to make mistakes and lose out on what you want — whether that's the final rose or the job.

Now that job prospects are starting to improve, don't assume you can suddenly slack on any part of the job search.

In fact, according to a new CareerBuilder survey, making the following five errors could hurt your chances of hearing "Will you accept this rose?" ... that is to say, "You're hired":

1. Basic pitches

A common, but often catastrophic, mistake job seekers make is to use the same generic resume and cover letter for every opportunity. In fact, 54% of job seekers don't customize their resume for each employer — a big red flag for hiring managers. Your resume should be tailored to match the job description, which can be done by inserting keywords used in the job posting that match your experience.

2. Feeling the "To Whom it May Concern" burn

Your resume content isn't the only thing that needs customization. Generically addressing your cover letter won't automatically cause you to be out of the running, but personalizing it could certainly boost your chances over your competitors.

According to the study, 84% of job seekers don't find out the hiring manager's name to personalize the application. Yet, doing a little research and applying directly to the hiring manager shows them you're willing to go the extra mile — both during a job search and when actually performing the job.

3. Cutting cover letter corners

Writing a resume — and personalizing it — is arduous enough, so adding a customized cover letter to the mix is probably the last thing you want to do. (It's no wonder 45% of job seekers don't include a cover letter with their resume.) Yet, this is your chance to humanize what's on your resume, and make your case for why your credentials make you the right person for that particular job.