Free Job Search Tracking Template

Tracking the jobs you have applied for is an important part of a targeted job search. Targeting your job search to a few potential job titles and tracking your progress are the best ways to find a job quickly. Applying for every job you are qualified for, failing to track those applications, and ignoring the need for follow-up are the biggest mistakes you can make in a job search.

This job search tracking template is an easy way to track your applications and interviews. It is simple but effective. Here’s what you need to know to use it effectively.

Why Follow-Ups are Necessary

Following up with applications and after interviews is extremely important. Recruiters receive an average of 200 resumes for each job post, and they only interview an average of 5 to 6 people per position before making a decision.

If you want to be one of the people that gets an interview, you need to make sure that your application gets in front of the right set of eyes. Following up with a recruiter a few days after making your application is the best way to do this. Don’t be afraid to ask for an interview, both in your cover letter and in your follow-up.

Following up about 24-36 hours after an interview is also important. It shows the employer that you want to work for their company, and that you’re serious about your application. This can be done by phone, email, or even in person, depending on the position and industry.

Information to Track in Your Job Search

Whether or not you use this template, there is certain information you should track during your job search. Most of this information will be available during your application, but you may need to hunt down contact information for some employers listing job openings on platforms like Indeed rather than on their own website.

Company and Position Information

Obviously, you should make note of the company name and the position for which you applied. You should also include their website, which you should review before writing your cover letter and before the interview. If the company doesn’t list an email address in the job posting, search their website to see if you can locate one for follow-ups. If there isn’t one readily available, do a basic Google search to find their phone number for a follow-up instead.

I also highly recommend that you make a note of the listed wage for the position. This can be important if you get more than one interview or more than one job offer.

How and When You Applied

Employers often ask where you found their position when scheduling or performing a job interview. If your answer is, “I don’t remember,” it shows a lack of attention to detail or organization skills. Make note of the platform on which you found and applied for the job. If you found it on a particular platform but emailed your resume rather than filling out an online application, make note of where you found the position as well as the email address.

Interviews and Follow-Ups

You can also use this job search template to keep track of your scheduled interviews. It is also important to note when you followed up on the application and after the interview. This information will help you ensure that you have taken every possible measure to ensure you get the job.

Some people send a thank you email immediately after an interview, but it is a good idea to wait at least 24 hours and no more than 72 hours after the interview. Most employers interview candidates within the same week before making their decision. The purpose of following up after the interview is to remind them that you are the best candidate for the job regardless of who they have interviewed since your meeting.

Tracking interviews and follow-ups is even more important when you are involved in a job rehabilitation program, such as those required when you receive food stamps or welfare. This job search tracking template is much more effective and easier to work with than most of the templates or worksheets provided by these programs, and meets all of their requirements.

How to Use This Free Job Search Tracker

Here are some simple steps and what you need to know to use this free job search tracker in an effective job search.

job-search-tracker-templateDownload

1. Track every application. It can be tedious, especially if there are a lot of job openings that meet your requirements and qualifications. But tracking every application will serve you well in the long run.
2. Follow up by asking for an interview within one week of applying. If you don’t get a call or email to schedule an interview within one week of submitting your application, follow up with the company via email when possible, or by phone when no email address is available. If there is a deadline for applications, send your follow-up email on the last day of application. You can track this information in the notes section of the template.
3. Follow up after the interview. As mentioned above, you should follow up after your interview. Don’t be afraid to ask for the job. If you send an email, note the date sent. If you call, note the date and time in the provided field.
4. Create a new sheet for each week. Leave the template sheet as is so that you can continue to make new, clean copies. For each week of your job search, right click on the tab “Template,” click “Make a Copy,” and check the box for “Move to End.” You can then right-click on the new tab and rename it for the week, such as “June 19-26.” This will make it easier to sift through applications if your job search lasts several weeks or months.

There are a few ways you might want to search through this information. To make sure that you have followed up on all applications, select the Date Applied column, go to the Data menu option, and click Sort. You can choose to sort by date in either ascending or descending order. You can also sort interview appointments and follow-ups in the same way.

It is helpful to have your job search tracker handy when following up with employers or scheduling interviews. To find an application quickly when a recruiter calls, simply use the shortcut CTRL + F and type the name of the company. This should search the entire workbook, not just the sheet selected.

Key Takeaways

Even if you don’t use this template, please track your job applications. You will find that your job search is much faster and more effective using this method. Stay tuned for more resume and job search tips and tools from the upcoming book, The Resume Journey to Better Paying Employment: A Job Search Guide for the Average American.