How To Stay Organized In Your Job Search

A job search can sometimes feel like a full time job in itself – the applications, interviews, presentations, CVs, cover letters…need I go on?

Because of this, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by it all, but it’s vital that you stay on top of all of your applications to avoid missing out on key opportunities.

With that in mind, here are our top tips on staying organized during your job search.

Create A Spreadsheet

One of the best ways you can keep on top of your job hunt is to set up a spreadsheet to keep track of your applications.

As soon as you find a job you’re interested in, add it to the spreadsheet with a link to the advert itself, then update it with the date you applied for the role and any responses or interview dates that you receive.

Not only will this mean that you’ll always know where you’re up to with your job applications, but you’ll also keep your Microsoft Excel skills fresh!

Set Up Job Alerts

Rather than trawling through pages and pages of irrelevant roles on job boards, you can set up job alert emails so you’re contacted with only relevant roles based on the criteria you enter when you set up an account.

Not only will this save you precious job hunting time, but you’ll also be the first to know about any vacancies as you can choose how regularly you’re emailed with new jobs.

Put Together A Routine

As I said before, a job search can sometimes feel like a full time job – so just like a job, it’s a good idea to have some sort of routine in place so you complete tasks efficiently.

Plan your day in easily manageable chunks for different tasks. For example, if you work better in the mornings and are more focused, then set aside a few hours to put together applications and cover letters and tweaking your CV before 12 p.m., then in the afternoon -if you’re feeling a little sluggish – it might be a good time to tackle those pesky menial tasks like replying to emails and following up applications.

However, remember to include some “me time” in your day as well. A job hunt can be very taxing, so make sure you give yourself time to relax and unwind in the day to keep yourself sane!

Be Prepared

While you’re job hunting, it’s not uncommon to be caught off guard by a phone call from a recruiter or prospective employer, but this won’t always come when you’re sat in front of a screen with copies of job specifications, your CV and cover letter to hand.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to always have a copy of your CV and cover letter(s) on you, as well as a copy of your job application spreadsheet to refer to. This can be on paper or – even better – on a tablet or laptop.

Remember: If it’s a bad time to talk when a recruiter or employer calls, it’s completely fine to ask if you can call them back at a more convenient time – they will understand that you can’t always talk and will appreciate your professionalism.

So there we go, some tips on how to stay organised during your job search! Do you agree with these tips or have any of your own?

Let me know in the comments below!

How To Stay Organized In Your Job Search