Q. I’ve had 14 interviews for jobs (out of 30 applications) and still haven’t landed a position. I think I’ve been doing all the right things: preparing for questions; dressing properly; presenting myself professionally; practicing with a friend. I’m stumped. What am I doing wrong? —Tom B.

A. Maybe nothing. We’re still in a tight job squeeze, and employers are still taking their time choosing candidates. One thing is critical: you absolutely MUST stay positive about yourself, and your qualifications.

Writing in Business Week On-Line, Michael B. Laskoff (www.askyourass.com), author of Landing On The Right Side Of Your Ass -– A Survival Guide For The Recently Unemployed— says he’s always sought to portray his professional experience and future prospects in ways that gave him an edge over candidates with similar qualifications: “Such an effort begins with presenting past achievements in the strongest light. It continues with showing that I know how to use my time productively and how to portray myself as someone who will be successful in the future.” Let’s look at each one of his points:

Past Achievements.

Talk about your successes, results, what you’re proud of—and speak with a passion for your work, your career. Interviewers look at past performance and attitudes as indicators of how you’ll perform in this job. If you’re energetic, focused, and have a success-building attitude, you’ll make that impression with your prospective employer.

Practice Your Pitch.

Many prospective employers today like to do the initial screening over the telephone. While it’s more impersonal , it does save time, and helps sift out candidates they want to talk to further. To get ready for a call like this, check your speaking voice: does it sound pleasant, rich and confident? Enthusiastic and motivated? Are your comments concise and focused? (If you’re not politely direct in answering the questions, you may be perceived as someone who isn’t focused; has difficulty understanding directions; doesn’t get to the heart of key issues quickly. Ask several friends to help you practice the phone interview—and give you feedback.

Laskoff has several tips on how get an edge over others in your job hunt:

Tune Up Your Resume.

Create a resume that’s brief, focused, and punchy. And the same goes for everything you write, including cover letters, thank-you notes, and the periodic updates to your network.

Practice your pitch.

Only a few who present well on paper live up to expectations in person. Interviewing is a skill that must be learned and practiced. A good pitch portrays your existing condition and what led you to look elsewhere for work. It’s important to speak of your present or past jobs in a positive light, then clearly demonstrate that the direction you’re now seeking is compatible with the position you’re interviewing for.

Again, practice is crucial. Laskoff says most of us sound awkward and unsure of ourselves the first few (dozen) times we deliver the pitch. So rehearse your interview pitch over and over, preferably in front of an audience, to achieve a self-assured delivery. And as you meet new people, learn new things, and refine your goals, you'll want to change and strengthen your pitch.

Stay busy.

If you’re out of work, don't waste time by watching daytime talk shows or making your lawn the most perfect on the block. You’ll just get depressed, and these actions do nothing to bolster your attractiveness as a job candidate. The best job seekers find meaningful and enriching ways to spend time beyond job searching. For example, Laskoff took a French class, while a friend of his -- a respected retail executive -- chose to learn photography while he conducted a world-class job search. Other people invest in their future careers directly by taking classes that increase their career skills.

Stay productive.

This will help you on three crucial fronts. First, it will distract you from the pain of a job search. Having a single-minded focus on something as difficult as job hunting can lead to enormous frustration, so having another outlet is therapeutic. Second, doing something meaningful can actually enrich your life in ways that job searches can't. You'll feel better about your life in general. Finally, busy people present themselves as better candidates. Not only are they more relaxed and confident, but they come across as self-motivated, industrious, and maybe even interesting. Most employers find these traits highly attractive.

Tuning up your pitch isn’t difficult, Laskoff says, but most people don't bother to invest the necessary effort: “That's good news if you're one of the few willing to do the right things. You'll have a much easier time standing out and advancing.”