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.