When you’re looking for a job, you’re likely to be applying to several jobs at once. However, with various resume versions and hopefully multiple interviews, it’s easy to become disorganized.
Here are a few tips to help you organize your job search effectively.
1. Don’t use your need to organize as a tool to procrastinate your job search
This point is key. It’s easy to tell yourself day after day that you’ll look for a job as soon as you organize your job search. Set a time limit — just a few days or perhaps a week at the most — to get your ducks in a row.
2. Eliminate chaos and clutter
If your workspace is piled with books, papers, and bills, it will be difficult to have a clear mind. Spend a few hours ruthlessly throwing away things you don’t need and finding logical places to store the things you do. There is a link between productivity and clutter.
In fact, the Wall Street Journal found that the average U.S. executive wastes six weeks each year retrieving misplaced information from his or her disorganized desk and files. For an executive earning $75,000 a year, that translates to a loss of $9,221, or a loss of 12.3 percent of total earnings.
3. Develop a system to organize your job search
You’ll need a way to keep track of which companies and positions you’ve applied to and the status of each application. Tracking is especially important when it comes to follow-up. If you’ve applied or interviewed with an employer and heard nothing back, you’ll need to track that information so you can make a follow-up phone call or send an email.
You might consider creating a detailed spreadsheet that tracks all the relevant details of your job search, such as the company, job title, contact details, date you’ve applied, details of any scheduled interviews date, whether or not you’ve followed up, and status of your application (specifically, whether you’re still waiting to hear back or have been rejected). However, if you’re someone who forgets to update the spreadsheet, consider free online project management tools like Trello.
Tools such as Trello allow you to automate your job search process. For example, you can get a reminder of when to send a follow-up note to the hiring manager or the recruiter. You can also use free tools like Microsoft OneNote or Evernote to keep track of the meetings you have. Or, if you’re a visual person, a simple sticky note might be the answer!
A lot of jobseekers believe that the more jobs they apply for, the higher their chances of getting an interview. As a result, they aimlessly apply for any open position you find. However, applying for jobs you’re not qualified for is a waste of your time, not to mention an easy way to become disorganized.
4. Make a schedule
Commit to a block of time every day to work on your job search. The amount of time you allot depends on whether you are currently employed, as well as other demands on your time. If you’re currently working, it might be just two or three hours a week. Whether it’s two hours every Saturday, or three hours each weekday, regardless of how much time you have to commit to your job search, pledge to stick to a plan.
5. Update and optimize your resume
You’ll need to have the best resume possible ready to go when you start applying for jobs. Depending on your field, you may need more than one at the ready so that you can apply for a variety of job titles. You can find tons of advice on how to write a resume online. Make sure you tailor your resume to each specific job.
6. Create a list of target companies
Where do you want to work? Start with a list of 20-25 organizations that you consider ideal to work for by researching their reputation and culture. Of course, don’t stop networking, responding to Internet job postings or working with recruiters, but it’s good to have a list of specific organizations to target.
Once you’ve created your list, research each organization and consider conducting informational interviews Use the information you gather to tailor your resume, cover letters, and interview responses to each targeted organization.
7. Start or build your network.
A lot of people get their jobs through networking, so commit to getting out there and meeting people. Request advice, ask who else you should be talking to. Who in your target organizations could you network with? Or do you know anyone who can introduce you?
8. Take advantage of online tools
There are a number of tools available these days that are designed to help you organize your job search and find your dream job.
- Twitter job search list
A lot of recruiters including myself sometimes, tweet details of jobs they are recruiting for. To make sure you hear about these opportunities, considering creating a Twitter job search list that includes recruiters, hiring managers, companies and job search websites. Then, review their tweets daily.
- JibberJobber
A free tool such as JibberJobber will help you keep track of jobs you’ve applied for. You can also log the status of each application.
If your workspace is piled with books, papers, and bills, it will be difficult to have a clear mind. Spend a few hours ruthlessly throwing away things you don’t need and finding logical places to store the things you do. There is a link between productivity and clutter.
9. Use LinkedIn to organize your job search
- When you search for jobs on LinkedIn you have the ability to save jobs you are interested. This way, if you don’t have time to apply right away, you’ll have a running list of interesting opportunities available when it’s time to work on the job search.
- Utilizing content from your resume, develop your LinkedIn profile marketing yourself to communicate with your connections what you are seeking. Bring your profile to 100% or at least 90% at the minimum.
- Obtain recommendations from as many of your connections as you can, paying particular attention to clients, superiors, subordinates, and corporate peers. These will tell prospective employers the type of employee you are.
- You can use LinkedIn Groups to contact someone working for one of your target companies if you don’t have their email address. If you’re in the same group on LinkedIn, you can send them a free message through the platform.
- Update your LinkedIn status a few times a week so that people remember you when a suitable opportunity becomes available. Ways to do that include sharing an article, details of the project you’re working on, industry event you went to etc.
- Search your connections’ contacts by using the “View Their Connections” button in the person’s search result to view, search and save your searches of their connections. This is a great way to see who your key connections can connect you with that is within your key targets.
- Join related groups to expand your reach, such as: Targeted Industries (Real Estate, Mortgage, Banking, Insurance), Discipline-based (Sales, Business Development, Teaching, Training), and Jobseeker / Job lead focused groups.
10. Apply for the right roles
A lot of jobseekers believe that the more jobs they apply for, the higher their chances of getting an interview. As a result, they aimlessly apply for any open position you find. However, applying for jobs you’re not qualified for is a waste of your time, not to mention an easy way to become disorganized.
It’s always best to send out fewer resumes that are carefully tailored to specific roles.
11. Track job search activities weekly
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you need to find a new job, so you need a plan to execute certain tasks and organize your job search week-by-week. Here are some examples of what you can track each week to build momentum.
- How many new networking contacts per week will you find and attend?
- How many people from your existing contact list will you contact, either by phone or by email?
- How many new jobs will you apply to each week minimum?
- How many new companies will you find to target each week?
- How many new leads from these companies do you want to find each week?
- How many informational interviews would you like to plan?
- How many exploratory coffee appointments or calls will you aim to set up each month?
Block out no more than one or two hours per week to look at job boards—most job boards should be sent to you as alerts via email. There are a ton of things to keep track of when job searching, but by using these simple tips, you’ll organize your job search in an efficient and effective manner.
