3 Things You Must Track for Every Job Application

Hi friend,

If you’re in full on application mode without a plan for what to track, you’re not going to keep companies straight and remember the job description details by the time you hear back. Staying organized at the application stage will enable you to fully prepare for your job interviews, so it’s crucial to make a plan from the start of your job search. Here are three things you need to track for each job application:

The Job Description

If nothing else, save a copy of the job description! When a company receives a large number of qualified applicants, they often remove the job posting from their job board. This is a courtesy so that late applicants don’t waste their time applying, and the company can get back to the existing candidates in a timely manner. However, it is extremely inconvenient if you are in the last stages of a hiring process and need to reference the job description while preparing for an interview. 

The Hiring Timeline

Make a spreadsheet where you can track each job you’ve applied to by application date. Keep records of how long it takes to get a response at each stage. This will help you follow up if you haven’t heard from the hiring team, and calibrate your expectations around hiring timelines in your industry. Successful job searches are just as much about managing your emotional stress as writing the perfect resume; I work with so many job seekers who convince themselves that no news is bad news after just a few days.

The Application Materials

As you’re applying for different jobs, your resume, cover letter, and portfolio (if applicable) are likely to get updated. Save a copy of your materials whenever you submit an application so that you don’t find yourself pointing something out on your resume, only to find out the hiring manager has a different version. Whoops!

Additionally, if you are asked to respond to application questions, such as: “Why do you want to work here?” or “Tell us about your experience with…”, save a copy of the questions and your answers. If it’s important enough to ask on the job application, the topic is likely to come up in the interview stages, and this will ensure you communicate a consistent message to the hiring manager.

This sounds like a lot of work, but it’s work you will be glad you did later in your job search. I usually recommend copy-pasting the job description and your application materials into a single Google Doc for each job, and adding your notes to the end of the document as you progress through the hiring stages. When you sit down to prepare for your next interview, everything that you need will be organized in one place! It’s one less thing to worry about in your job search.

Happy Thursday,

Karissa