Create A Log To Keep Track Of Your Job Search

I use Evernote to capture the page with the job description, and file it in a "Jobs Applied" notebook; since it also captures the time and date, I can use it for reference when I get contacted about that job.

anamika

I made an Access database to do this very thing b/c I honestly didn't like the look of the MS template shown. Unfortunately I wasn't too on top of things and kept forgetting to add them to the database... Oh well I got a job offer Wednesday and start Tuesday woohoo!

I believe you should save a copy of the job description since they aften disappear from the website by the time you interview. You should also just save a copy of your cover letter and resume for each person you send it to and title it for each "GE Cover Letter & Resume". Your resume will change from the beginning of your job search until you have a position, so do not not get blind-sided with a forgotten statement during the interview. Computer memory is much cheaper than unemployment.

mdlawmba

Great post! Another side of tracking this info is if you are getting unemployment insurance. There is a slim (but ever-so-present) chance they will ask you for your job search record, but if you send them an in depth record of your activities - they won't ask ever again.

I wish I had followed this advice the last time I was unemployed...It would have done wonders for my attitude.

Wouldn't it be better to keep it on paper, instead of a spreadsheet, this way if something happens to your computer, and someone calls you, you will still have access to that info.

wargames2007

Like -Powered by Tofu- above, I have RSS feeds set up for a number of job listing boards - I've got a separate folder in Google Reader to keep tabs of those.

I'm also using Google Notebook to try to keep everything as organized as possible. Sections for Job postings, companies I'd like to work for, resume samples& suggestions, etc.

I'd like to keep my Resume in Google Docs but its got some pretty specific formatting to keep it all on one page and its all done in .docx Maybe now that Google Docs accepts .docx files I'll try to upload it again and see if the formatting stays intact.

I did this and highly recommend any job hunters to do the same. Job hunting, especially online, is very much a numbers game. If you want to be in the game, you have to submit a lot of applications, and you need to track those submissions.

If a place calls you and you can immediately recall the job title, questions you had about the position, and remembered offhand some things that made you qualified for it, you're at an advantage over other people who go, "Wait...what company was this?"

razordu30

Being organized is key to getting a job these days. It also helps keep your spirits up to see that you've been working at it. Good post.

aeronaut

Yeah, I'm already doing this :) I also have a "Jobs" tab on my iGoogle page and have RSS feeds set up from job boards like Craigslist etc. I wrote a post called "5 Ways To Streamline Your Job Search" including these tips: [www.poweredbytofu.com]

Excellent post, and Rob -- thank you for the shout out re. Emurse.com!

We have functionality to track resume submissions on emurse.com for this very reason. We actually patterned the functionality off of my wife's use of a spreadsheet doing this very thing.

Knowing where you've applied, who you've spoken to, when to follow up and everything else is essential really. Especially in such a heated environment. Lots of job seekers fighting over only a few jobs.

You need every advantage you can get.

There is a great web service called emurse - [www.emurse.com] It allows you to create and store multiple versions of your resume online and you can track your job search too.

robfay

I found using TiddlyWiki invaluable wehn I got laid off and finding a new job.

New tiddlies for each job listing, copy the content into the tiddly (in case it disappears), tag it with the status (sent resume, called, waiting, source of listing).

Only unemployed for 13 days, spent 9-5 applying, was able to reduce the number of duplicate postings by companies becuase I could compare it to my wiki. :)

Not only job search, there so many useful templates available over the net for excel users. Just browse through

[office.microsoft.com]

kichilee

When I was laid off during the last down turn I kept a log to help keep track what I had sent to and it was very helpful when you got a call back and you could quickly connect the dots.

Another benefit of keeping the log was to track the rejection letters and emails I would get. During a job hunt in the early 80's times were tough and one recruiter had told me that it was not unusual to get 50 "No" responses before you got a "Yes". I started tracking the No answers with a page of 50 No's listed a Yes at the end. Each time I would get a rejection letter would cross out once of the No's on the page.

In a strange way tracking the rejection emails and letters started to be a positive thing because I could begin to see that I was eventually making my way to a Yes. I applied this hack during a few rounds of ups and downs in the work force and I've always been able to land a job before getting to the full 50 No answers. It helped me have a feel that I was getting closer to finding a good job even with a No.

tech_imp

I'd say this is a good thing to do for any situation that requires tracking many different things with similar variables.

I also did this for my latest job search, and I was surprised at how much help it was for me in recalling specifics of interactions with recruiters, HR people and networking contacts. The human mind is a sieve.

You can also download this file and open and use it in Open Office. It seems to work fine in Open Office Calc 3.1

I applied for 35 academic jobs last year and they all required very different things, had different deadlines, and each school had very different job requirements. I made a spreadsheet like the one above, and it saved me a TON of time and energy! I honestly can't imagine applying for jobs without a spreadsheet.

Yeah theres nothing worse than receiving a call from company X about a job query, and drawing a blank as to ever having submitted a resume there lol

Junier Oliva

@Jon: Good idea - never thought about that possibility.
I'd think the TiddlyWiki-Adaption MonkeyGTD would be an almost perfect solution for this purpose...

schilke

I have just been using Google Docs for this. Didn't really even cross my mind to put it in an excel sheet. I think I might try using Evernote for this tho (as others have suggested). Thanks guys!

jesuswhammy

Becomed.com (http://becomed.com) does exactly this in an automated, user-friendly manner, but it also provides a lot more than that - it also analyzes your success applying for jobs, keeps track of job descriptions and interviews, provides reminders to do follow-ups, keeps tab of who you've been speaking with, and shows you which of your resumes and cover letters are bringing you the responses you want.

ZahraHapiloons

@geekgrrl77: Would you mind sharing the template (email: nikhil.medhekar@gmail.com)? I will be on the academic job market pretty soon. Thanks!

check out becomed.com. It can prompt you for followups, you can store contact info, links to web pages, different resumes, cover letters, etc.

XylinaImbecilium

This Microsoft template doesn't work for Excel on Mac. Any suggestions on something similar for Mac? Otherwise I guess I'll just build a spreadsheet of my own, though I have always been a bit reluctant to the Excel layout. I have signed up for Jibber Jobber, a website where you can keep track of your job search, but haven't really got round to exploring all the options of the site, which I don't find very intuitive. I look forward to hear other people's suggestions for keeping track of the job search! - Olga

ShraddhaPullus

When I was laid off during the last down turn I kept a log to help keep track what I had sent to and it was very helpful when you got a call back and you could quickly connect the dots. Another benefit of keeping the log was to track the rejection letters and emails I would get. During a job hunt in the early 80’s times were tough and one recruiter had told me that it was not unusual to get 50 “No” responses before you got a “Yes”. I started tracking the No answers with a page of 50 No’s listed a Yes at the end. Each time I would get a rejection letter would cross out once of the No’s on the page. In a strange way tracking the rejection emails and letters started to be a positive thing because I could begin to see that I was eventually making my way to a Yes. I applied this hack during a few rounds of ups and downs in the work force and I’ve always been able to land a job before getting to the full 50 No answers. It helped me have a feel that I was getting closer to finding a good job even with a No. @Junier Oliva:

BeckyPappie

I actually use Evernote for this. Pretty great for clipping the original ad and adding notes, etc. And it's easily searchable too.

GiacomoAsclepius

Good post. I like the idea of notes. I tend to save more comments about my likes and dislikes and what was easy and hard. And if I get a call at night I go to the notebook. I am going to start a spreadsheet and do both. Data is good and may lead to some good conclusions.

QuonWasp