10 Easy Ways to Organize Your Job Search
1) Create a Job Application Spreadsheet
f you’re familiar with Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or a similar program, creating a spreadsheet is a simple and effective way to keep track of your job applications.
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.
2) Create a Job Application Table in Word
If Excel isn’t quite your cup of tea, don’t fret. You can create a simple table in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a similar word processor.
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 deadline
- Potential start date
- Where you found the job listing
- Company information, like its location, number of employees, size, recent developments, etc.
- Names and contact information of any network connections at the company
- Estimated likelihood of getting the job
- Your relative preference for the position compared to other jobs
3) Use Google Drive and Calendar
If you like to stay organized online, Google is a great way to go. If you have a Gmail account, you can use Google Drive, through which you can create, save, and export spreadsheets, in addition to written documents, like your cover letter and resume. You can also link up with Google calendar to make sure you stay on top of important dates.
4) Set Up Job Alerts
Most job sites have job alert systems that notify you when there are new job openings that match your interests. Once you sign up, the system will send you job listings via email so you can check for job openings in your field without having to mine through every job search engine.
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.
5) Use a Job Search Organizer Website
There are a variety of websites that offer free or reasonably priced job search management tools that are specifically designed for job hunters who need assistance in managing their applications.
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.
6) Use Your Favorite Job Search Site
Do some digging in your favorite job search site – you’ll probably find a built-in way to keep track of potential job interests and your submitted applications.
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.
7) Use an App
If you spend more time on your phone or tablet than you do on your computer, consider using a mobile app to organize your job search. Download a mobile app (or two) to organize your job search on your smart phone or tablet.
Here’s a list of some of the best job search management apps available for smartphones and tablets.
8) Use Your Smartphone
For a do-it-yourself method of organization, consider using your smartphone” as is” – for example, use your notes or download a spreadsheet app and keep track of your information there. You can also use alarms, alerts, and your calendar to stay on top of impending deadlines, interviews, and other important dates and times.
9) Use a Notebook
If you’re a pen-in-hand type who likes to keep it old school, buy a notebook and dedicate it to your job search. Keeping track the old-fashioned way, still works well for many people.
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.
10) Simplify Your Search
Clearly, there are plenty of ways to keep track of your job search, but there are also ways to cut down on the mental overhead to begin with. Making an effort to simplify your job search will pay off.
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.
