In today's electronic age where you can apply for twenty jobs in
a matter of minutes on the internet, it pays to organize
yourself when searching for a job. I have found that keeping
track of where you sent your resume, who has responded and when
you did it becomes an overwhelming task.
Track your applications
Personally, I create a spreadsheet on my PC to help me track all
of my resumes, emails and correspondence. I add as many columns
as necessary to track when I sent a resume, the company I sent
it to, the source of the ad, any special considerations from the
ad and any additional correspondence relating to that resume. I
create a new folder to save any documentation and I do my best
to keep up with everything.
Make yourself look good
One of the worst things you can do when looking for a job is to
not remember something you said or promised as it relates to
searching for a job or getting an interview. If you promised to
provide references to an agency and then forget to do that, it
can adversely affect your chances of getting a position.
So, use whatever method you can to track your correspondence
with prospective employers. Take notes when you interview then
document and confirm them in a follow up email. Create folders
in your email client so you can track all the emails you send
and receive. Keep copies of your cover letters just in case
someone comes back to you with a question regarding them.
Don't apply multiple times
Finally, remember who you have applied to so you are not sending
several resumes for the same position. With countless job sites
available today, you might see one position on ten different
sites. It helps if you record the job ID or the job title so you
are positive that you have applied and don't send an extra
resume.
Overall, you want to appear as an organized and efficient job
candidate who can keep track of multiple tasks while maintaining
contact with all parties involved. When a company sends you
correspondence requesting additional information, make sure you
note that you have provided the extra information and when you
did it. That way, when you are interviewing for a position and
someone asks if they have this information, you can respond that
you sent it on this date.
Be prepared at an interview
The last step in being prepared for your job search and
eventually getting an interview is to keep all documentation
with you in a folder or in your briefcase. When interviewing,
you might be asked for almost any type of information and it
always looks good when you have that info at hand.
So, come up with a tracking method that suits your style and
fits your needs and stick to it until you land a job. And, keep
all of that info just in case you have to start looking again
any time soon.
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