How to Manage Your Job Search
It's important to manage your job search and keep track of the job leads you find, the jobs you've applied to, the resumes and cover letters you have submitted, and the networking contacts you're outreaching to. If it sounds like a lot, it is. There are ways to get (and keep) your job search under control though.
Spending time managing your job search, keeping it organized, focused, and on the fast track will help you find a job faster than if you don't have a plan in place. Even though you're going to spend some extra time getting organized, it will save you time in the long run. It will also save you from being in the awkward position that someone I heard from the other day was in. She got a call for an interview, but had no clue what the job was that she had applied for.
Rather than hitting, and maybe missing, your job search targets, or not being able to properly prepare for an interview because you're clueless about the opportunity, you'll be spending your time job searching in an effective manner if you take it one step at a time - and stay on top of managing the job search process. Here's how to get your job search on the fast track, along with free tools and tips to help expedite a job search.
Have a tip for getting your job search organized? Share your job search tip or comment (below).
More: Manage Your Job Search | Online Job Search Guide
Image Copyright Franc Podgorsek
I set up a MS Access database to keep track of jobs I applied to. I’ve also started saving a PDF copy of the job posting so that I can refer back to it if I ever get a call about it. I create a link in the database to the PDF for easy reference.
JibberJobber.com is an extremely useful application for job hunters. It provides a web-based space to keep track of contacts made, jobs applied for, and follow-up required.
So to be effective, in an executive job search, you have to determine what role you want to play, what industries and organizations would support that role and what you’re geographical preferences and limitations are. The task here is not to look for open positions, but to look for the decision makers in organizations that would have the role that you are seeking to fill. Remember 30% of organizations are going to need someone, so it’s your job to initiate the introduction and chemistry match.
Allison,
I teach this every week in my “Current Resume and Employment Trends” workshop. Organization is key in obtaining the desired career position!
From a psychological perspective, I also teach my clients that seeing what they have done at the end of each day is motivating and allows for a decent night sleep. I have them track everything – who they gave business cards too, updates on their LinkedIn site, gaining a larger Twitter audience, jobs for which they’ve applied, workshops and seminars attended, etc. All of this counts in today’s employment market!
Thanks for the great article, I’m tweeting it.
This is so important. What’s the point of sending out a lot of resumes if you can’t remember to whom you sent them, when you sent them, and when you should follow up? You don’t need a system with lots of bells and whistles (unless that’s what turns you on). A simple table in MS Word might be enough to keep you on track.
When I was job hunting, I kept a spiral notebook of all the jobs I applied for. If I cut out an ad, I taped it in the notebook, along with the date I sent my resume. If I got a call, I was able to note the details on the same page. For jobs where I sent an email, I wrote the information in the notebook, too. Nothing is more embarrassing than not being prepared when someone calls you in response to your resume submission.
When I went for interviews I took the notebook, along with a document that had all the information prospective employers want so I could fill out employment applications completely; no forgetting the name or address of a previous supervisor or the dates I worked there.
This is such a valid topic. As an Executive Recruiter I find that many professionals just do a bunch of random actions and hope for a result.
I use JibberJobber to keep track of my contacts, applications, etc. I also have email folders with copies of all the letters and resumes that I’ve sent.