If your job search takes longer than a few weeks or months, you’re looking at heaps of application materials and changing deadlines (… and heaps of stress, too). You don’t want to miss out on new opportunities just because your workspace looks like something out of Hoarders.
So how do you keep track of everything?
Try these methods for organizing your job hunt:Get Your Head Straight
• Set goals. How many applications do you want to submit each week? How many people will you connect with regarding your job search, and how often? How much time will you spend looking for leads? These benchmarks will help you track your progress. Even if you don’t find a position right away, looking back at your goals can help you evaluate what isn’t working.
• Find motivation. Don’t underestimate the power of pumping yourself up. Post pictures of inspirational people or quotes near your workspace and listen to “Eye of the Tiger” (or whatever else floats your motivational boat). You need to approach your job search at full speed, and success begins with the right attitude.
Get It On Paper
• Buy a planner. Use it exclusively for your job hunt: note the dates that you applied for specific jobs, track upcoming deadlines and schedule interviews. If planners don’t fit your style, try a wall or desk calendar.
• Make a to do list. Keep it in a place you will see every day. Use sticky notes on a mirror, tape papers above your desk, use a bulletin board or whatever else it takes to keep the tasks fresh in your mind.
Get It Online
• Keep a comprehensive resume—one document with all your work experience. When you apply for a new job, tailor it to fit the position and save it as a new document (while keeping the master resume intact). Your cover letters need more customization, so you can’t have a comprehensive version. However, efficient resume writing affords you more time to work on cover letters.
• Create folders. Start a job search folder on your computer, and create subfolders for resumes, cover letters and other application materials such as work samples (or just use a website to build an online portfolio).
• Make spreadsheets your new best friends. When applying for jobs, spreadsheet columns can sort out the details: date, where you found the position (for future searches), job title, company name, salary (if known) and extra notes. Spreadsheets can also help you track new and existing contacts.
• Use apps. iJobs allows you to track jobs and recruiters on its dashboard; Indeed users can “star” their favorite positions and save them to a personal board; ABContacts can add more details to your contact list, such as company, department and job role.
• Try job search software. If desktop tools seem too time consuming, look at websites that offer all-in-one platforms. FreshTransition sends you job alerts, tracks applications and the materials you send for each one, sets up meetings and organizes LinkedIn contacts on a single interface. ApplyMate also offers reminders and calendar syncing, as well as a place to track your applications.
Don’t let your bad habits get in the way of potential opportunities; a few simple changes to your work habits can keep your job hunt stress under control.
How do you organize your job searches?
(Feature Photo via We Heart It)
Amanda Suazo specializes in career, health, office, and millennial topics as a freelance writer. She’s a born-and-raised Californian (but a wannabe Washingtonian), straight espresso drinker, bacon enthusiast, and MBA student. Her new site grad-girl.com launched in April 2014. Follow Amanda on Twitter, @suazgirl!