Accordingly, properly organizing and managing your job search is just as important as identifying job opportunities and submitting your application. Here are ten ways to get organized, keep track of your job applications, and stay on top of the job search process. You can use a spreadsheet to keep track of which companies you applied to, when you submitted your application, what materials you submitted, and other important factors in the application process. It doesn’t have to be fancy, and it’s up to you how detailed you want to get. But, here are the key columns to include:
Company Name - The name of the organization you’re applying to. Contact - Your point of contact at the company; probably who you addressed your cover letter to, such as a Director of Human Resources or Office Manager. Email - The email of your point of contact, or, if preferred, a phone number. Date Applied - When you submitted your application. Application Summary - What you submitted: a cover letter, resume, and any additional materials, like a portfolio or reference list. Interview - When your interview is scheduled. Follow-Up - Did you send a thank you email or letter? If so, indicate here. Status - If you were rejected, offered the job, asked in for a second interview, etc.
Use your word processing program to create a table to keep track of important information, dates, and deadlines relevant to your job search. Just insert a table and choose the number of columns based on how many categories you want to keep track of (company name, contact information, date applied, and so on) and the number of rows relative to how many positions you’re applying for. In addition to the basic categories listed above, if you’re feeling especially ambitious, here are some other points you might want to include:
Application deadlinePotential start dateWhere you found the job listingCompany information, like its location, number of employees, size, recent developments, etc.Names and contact information of any network connections at the companyEstimated likelihood of getting the jobYour relative preference for the position compared to other jobs
When you decide to apply for one of the job listings you receive, you’ll be able to use the information in the message as a starting point for keeping track of your application. For example, JibberJobber is perhaps the most well-known option and is an excellent resource for staying organized. While Huntr provides a centralized place to organize your job search. It helps you keep track of opportunities, tasks, notes, events, and contacts relevant to your search. The chrome extension makes it easy to save jobs from any job search site in one click, and the mobile application allows you to track your search on the go. Many job search sites like Monster, CareerBuilder, and LinkedIn offer built-in tools to keep track of your applications. Although the downfall to using a site-specific method is that you may have to keep track of various lists on different sites, if you have a favorite job search site you’re sticking to, it’s not a bad option. Here’s a list of some of the best job search management apps available for smartphones and tablets. Sometimes, technology can be cumbersome, so if you want a more tangible method of organizing your job search, use a notebook. In addition to keeping track of your applications, you can also use it to jot down a cover letter draft, take notes during interviews, and record anything else that comes up while you’re looking for jobs, networking, and interviewing. Focus on quality, not quantity: only apply to legitimate positions that you’re qualified for, and make each application count, personalizing each cover letter and updating and proofreading your resume.
