How To Stay Organized With Your Job Search

Searching for a job can feel like a full-time job.  Between the applications, networking, recruiter contacts, interviewing, and follow-up notes - keeping track of it all is a lot!

Here are my key tips as a veteran recruiter for staying organized to ensure a smooth job search:

Keep track of your applications

Document, document, document.  Below you can find my free download that includes the key areas I find most important when conducting a job search.  It’s an easy-to-update spreadsheet format, your “application hub” as I refer to it with my clients.

Some companies might post an application on more than one platform (for example, both Indeed and LinkedIn).  Tracking where, when, and on what platform you apply is vital to avoid duplicating your efforts. 

My favorite tip – which I heard recently from The Career Contessa podcast– is to copy & paste the full job description for your applications, so you can review it later.  There is a section on my spreadsheet for this!  Oftentimes companies will take down a job post once they have stopped accepting new applicants.  But that job description will eventually be your interview roadmap, so having it stored for your records is important. 

Pick and choose your recruiters

Partnering with a recruiter is an awesome way to streamline some of the heavy lifting when it comes to your search.  A pitfall I have seen often is when a job searcher is juggling too many recruiters and getting sloppy with their applications.    

Many organizations (oftentimes larger-sized companies) might have 2-3+ recruiting firms on standby to assist with their hiring needs.  This results in more than one firm working on the same job- which could also result in you being represented by more than one agency if you’re not careful.

As a job searcher, it’s way more desirable to be a hot commodity on the market versus being sent by every agency under the sun.  Being presented by a third party (recruiter) after you already applied directly not only looks disorganized on your end but would also duplicate efforts for you and the recruiter.

So how to avoid this?  Interview your recruiters! Make sure you’re partnered with honest and direct recruiters who know what you are looking for in your next role.  It’s equally important to know what their process looks like so you can be sure you’re both responding quickly enough and providing everything they might need to act on your behalf.  Further tips on successful recruiting partnerships can be found here. 

Be open-minded but still selective 

I don’t recommend a blanket application approach.  I have a love/hate relationship with the “Easy Apply” button on LinkedIn.  It’s great, but keep in mind that if it’s easy for you, it’s easy for others too.   

Be strategic when you’re applying, focusing first on jobs that align with your career goals.  When I partner with a new client, the first thing we do is clarify and create a list of their goals and jobs to focus on.   A career coach is a great way to help guide you through that process, but you can get the ball rolling yourself with some introspective thinking.    

Start by writing down your top three areas of interest and corresponding job titles that will guide the bulk of your search.  I find having a schedule in place can help keep you both accountable and focused on the end game.  Unfortunately, the application process can be a numbers game.  There will be applications you don’t hear back from (yes, not even a rejection email in some cases).  It’s a difficult market so remaining consistent with getting your name out there is important. 

Avoid a spam approach

If you have a wide range of opportunities you’re considering (I see this often for recent grads in particular), it can be tempting to rapid-fire applications out without thoroughly reviewing them.    I encourage you to double-check some key factors on an application. 

Some questions you might want to ask yourself before hitting submit:

Is the commute a reasonable distance for you (please check, don’t guess!)? 

Are you strictly looking for remote jobs but applying to onsite jobs in hopes that they might change their mind (sorry, they likely won’t)? 

Are you reviewing the job description to ensure the bullets align with your goals, rather than just a title (which could certainly be different depending on the company)?

Try not to inundate one company

I get it- you see a larger-sized company has multiple roles posted that you think you’d be a great fit for. You’re more concerned with getting your foot in the door, rather than the exact job itself.  That mindset is great, but for getting actual traction, your best bet is to apply to the job that aligns best with your current experience.  

If a company is of high interest, maybe the general application isn’t your best bet.  Be strategic when you see a company that has more than one job you are interested in.  Do you have any 2nd or 3rd-degree connections that can offer an intro?  Is there a contact in the “Meet the Hiring Manager” section you could message directly for feedback or guidance?

If neither of those are available – apply directly.  Some companies might request a maximum of 4 applications per candidate.  Be sure to do your due- diligence in this area!

Job searching is overwhelming.  Download the spreadsheet below for some clarity about what’s important to track.   You can find some other free resources here, and of course, message me directly if you think it’s time to lean on a professional for some job search support.

Rooting for you, always!