You’re ready to take the next step, the one that will bring you closer to the job you’ve always wanted. But it’s not as easy as it sounds! You may be falling victim to these four pitfalls that are keeping you from your dream job.

1. Complaining about your job. We all have rough days. It’s tempting to vent on social media or to your coworker friends—but wait! Is complaining going to improve your circumstances? Probably not. It might earn you a little sympathy, but in the wrong hands, complaints can damage your reputation. Instead of complaining, take a look at your goals and evaluate what needs to happen to reach them. What steps can you take to make things better?
2. Waiting . . . and waiting . . . for a raise or promotion. When it comes to salary increases, not every company awards them automatically. You may have to sit down and discuss what (and how much) you want. Gather the info that showcases your value add, then sit down with your boss to talk things over. If you want something, ask for it! The same goes for that next great promotion. If you’re looking to move up the ladder, make your goals known early. You may find support in your network, such as training or mentoring. You wouldn’t want to be passed over simply because you never said you wanted to promote.
3. Networking when you need something. Nobody likes the friend who only calls when they need a ride to the airport. It becomes real obvious real fast when someone only calls when they need something. So don’t be that person to your network. Keep regular tabs with people, build genuine relationships, and keep your LinkedIn profile active well before you’re ready to take the next step in your career. See how you can add value to other people’s lives before you start asking for favors.
4. Not regularly updating your resume. Most people wait to update their resumes until they need to look for a new job. This is a terrible idea if, say, you suddenly find yourself without work—but really, it is always a bad idea. Why? Resumes are constant works in progress: an ongoing snapshot of your career journey. What details will you remember about the last ten years if you don’t write them down at regular intervals? Even if you don’t formally rewrite your resume every three months, keep good notes on your key accomplishments.

The good news? Now that you’re aware of these silent saboteurs, they are easily remedied. You may find yourself one (or four!) steps closer to the job you’ve always wanted!