The beginning of a job search can be overwhelming but staying organized throughout the process will keep you in control. A recent poll on SimplyHired.com found that a third of job seekers consider themselves “very organized” and a quarter “extremely organized.” However, 27% of job seekers said they were only slightly organized, and still 13% said they were not organized at all. Staying organized keeps you focused on your search and helps you keep track of your progress. Not to mention, it doesn’t look great to apply multiple times for a given position, just because you weren’t sure if you had applied already.
Get organized!
To stay on top of your job search, it is beneficial to use a journal or spreadsheet to keep track of the jobs you’ve applied to and where you are currently in the application process. Record each job you’ve applied to, taking note of the following information:
- Job title
- Company
- Contact information
As you continue your job search, make a note of when you have been in contact with someone from each potential job. For instance, the date you followed up after sending a resume, when you were contacted for an interview, when you sent a thank you note to your interviewers, etc. (Example: Applied January 12; Called to follow-up on resume January 17…)
In addition, don’t forget to cross out job listings when you learn that they have been filled or that you are no longer being considered for the position. This will help you focus your energy on active job leads, and not waste your time with dead leads. However, don’t be too quick to take a job listing out of the running. Sometimes employers take weeks to get back to potential candidates, so allow a few weeks and several attempts to contact them before crossing it off your list.
A final important note: Until you’ve received a job offer, continue your job search. Don’t assume you got the job after a great round of interviews, because the employer still may go with another candidate. In addition, you may receive a more desirable offer from another employer in the meantime.
