Organizing your job search allows you to focus on the activities you need to do to prepare for your next position. Being organized can make you feel calm and confident, qualities that will help you stand out in your next interview. Here are nine ways to organize your job search to help you get your next position.
1. Get Clear on Your Career Goals
Before you start your job search, it may be helpful to consider what kind of job you’re looking for and what your short- and long-term expectations are for your next position. Getting clear on your career goals helps you narrow down your job search options, making managing your job search activities easier.
Consider your personal goals, professional abilities, and job expectations when deciding the types of jobs you want to apply for. For example, if you’re looking for the freedom to work remotely, you’re not going to apply for a full-time job that requires you to be in the office.
2. Track Your Applications
Create a spreadsheet or document to track your applications. Creating a file to track your applications is an important step you should take to help you get and stay organized.
Whether you choose to use a spreadsheet or a document doesn’t matter, you can select the format you’re most comfortable with. The columns you should include in your chart include the following:
Company name Point of contact name Point of contact email Application submission date Summary of documents provided Interview date and time Date of follow-up Status
3. Use Google Drive and Calendar
You can store your resume and cover letter templates in your Google Drive to access the files wherever you are. It can be beneficial to apply for a position as soon as you see the job posting, so you can be one of the first applications the recruiter receives.
Google Calendar allows you to schedule time for your job search, stay on top of interviews, and schedule follow-ups. Like Google Drive, Google Calendar is accessible on any device, so you don’t have to worry about merging calendars to stay on top of dates. If your drive has lots of folders, you may want to learn how to color code your folders in Google Drive.
4. Establish Job Alerts
Most job sites have a feature that allows you to create job alerts. These job alerts send you daily or weekly emails with job openings that match the field you set up when creating the alert.
In most cases, you can set your alerts to a specific location, eliminating the heartbreak of finding your dream job only to find out it’s on the other side of the country. Job alerts save you time from combing through positions you’re not interested in to find the right one.
5. Choose Your Favorite Job Site
There are a variety of online job sites. Some of these job sites are general and have employment positions in all industries and at every job level. Academic institutions have job boards for their current students and alums, others are industry specific, and some specialize in positions at the executive level.
Find a site you’re comfortable navigating that provides the job listings in your field. If you can, upload a general resume to the site for recruiters to find.
6. Optimize Your Resume
Your resume is the primary factor determining whether a recruiter asks you to come in for an interview. You should modify your resume to highlight your relevant skills for each position you apply for if the jobs you’re applying for have varying required skill sets and experience.
For each job you apply for, you should review the job listing and customize your resume to highlight that you have the skills and experience the organization is looking for. Optimizing your resume means tailoring it to the job you’re applying for and doesn’t require an entire document rewrite.
7. Make a List of Companies You Want to Work For
You can start with a list of the organizations you would like to work for based on what you’ve heard about their culture and reputation. Once you compile your list, you may consider doing informal interviews with the companies you’ve identified.
You can use the information you gain from the informal interviews to create a customized cover letter and resume for your application and prepare your interview responses. Researching the history and company culture of the organizations you’ve identified may help you reduce your list and help you clarify the type of company you want to be a part of.
Creating a list can help you identify other organizations that have similar traits and possible job opportunities you can take advantage of. You can also reach out to the hiring manager at a company you’ve identified and write an email asking for a job opportunity.
8. Network With Others About Potential Opportunities
We’ve all heard the quote that “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Don’t be shy to let friends and colleagues know you’re open to new employment opportunities. It’s also helpful to attend networking events and expand your circle.
You can attend industry events and conferences, and if a company on your wish list has an event that’s open to the public, you should put it in your calendar and plan to attend. If you prefer to use social media for networking, you may be interested to learn how to use Facebook to build a professional network.
9. Be Strategic About the Positions You Apply For
Avoid treating your job search like a numbers game. Sending out lots of resumes isn’t a guarantee you’ll get a job, especially if you’re applying for jobs where you don’t meet the qualifications. It’s better to send out a few resumes that you have customized for each specific role.
Applying for fewer jobs allows you to give each application more attention, so you can customize your cover letter and resume for each position. Select jobs that align closely with your short- and long-term goals and capabilities. If you need help, you may be interested in learning ways to use LinkedIn Marketing tools for job seekers.
Get Organized and Find the Right Job for You
Finding a job shouldn’t be a job on its own. If you organize your job search, you can effectively and efficiently submit job applications you have a good chance of getting. Spending time at the start of your search to get organized can save you time during the process.
If you’re looking for a position in a niche industry, you may want to take advantage of the job boards that can help you find your ideal role. There are many job sites; if you’re looking for a position in a particular sector, there may be a website that offers you the opportunities you’re looking for.
