How do you organize your job search information and tracking?   If you’re in the midst of a job search, you know how hard it can be to keep track of all your applications. Which company did you send a resume to? Who was your contact? Did you respond to a job board posting, see the job on the company website, or blindly send a resume?

And you need to keep track of your interviews. Did you interview with them already? Are you waiting for a second interview? Who did you meet with? Did you send a thank you note?

A thorough job search involves a lot of details and organization in order to be productive and professional. These are some easy ways to organize your job search so you can keep track of all the details.

Easy Ways to Organize Your Job Search

Create a Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet is one of the easiest ways to keep track of your application status without being overwhelmed with paper. One simple document on your computer keeps all the details in order.

Create columns for each detail you need to keep track of. For instance:

  • Company name
  • Contact name and email or phone
  • Date you sent your resume, cover letter, and any additional information
  • Date you received a call back
  • A brief job description
  • Date you interviewed and notes of that interview
  • Date you followed up and the kind of follow up you sent . . . thank you note in the mail or email
  • Current status of your application process

If you’re not comfortable with Excel, you can also create a table in a Word document that contains the same information.

Use a Google Account

You can use Google calendar to set important appointments like interviews as well as reminders like sending thank you notes. You can sync this calendar with your phone or tablet through your Google account so it’s readily available.

Google Docs and Google Drive is also a great place to store a copy of your resume and cover letter for easy sharing or sending.

Create Job Alerts

Many job boards have alerts that let you know when a new job is posted. You can create alerts through these sites specific to the type of job you’re looking for. When a job is posted that fits your specifications, you’ll receive an email so that you can be one of the first applicants.

Use an App

There are job search management apps available for both iOS and Android that can help you keep track of important details on the go. Simply download the app and enter the pertinent information.

Organize on Job Search Sites

Job search sites like LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, and Monster offer built-in tools to help you keep track of the jobs you’ve applied for. You only need to set up an account and login each time you start a job search. Unfortunate, there is one downfall. They only keep track of the jobs you apply for on their sites, not the jobs you apply for elsewhere.

Keeping track of all the details involved in your job search can seem like a huge task, but if you use one of these methods to organize your job search, you’ll easily be able to keep track of all the information you need.

Do You Need Help With Your Job Search?

If you need help updating your resume, practicing for an interview, or organizing your job search information during these hard times, consider reaching out to  Rachel Schneider at Career Find to assist you.