Job Search Tracking
When conducting a job search you will encounter rejections. Take these rejections in stride and realize it’s part of a competitive selection process. By keeping track of what has transpired in your job search you’ll have the data to analyze what’s working and what’s not.
To reduce the frustration and anxiety of a job search, you must know where you’ve been. A tracking system will help you remember where you’re going by providing a road map of where you’ve been.
Any job search tracking sheet (or form) you develop should include at least the following categories:
- Company name/address
- Position applied for
- Contact person
- Contact telephone number
- Method of contact
- Date of contact
- Follow-up activities
- Comments section
A job search tracking worksheet is on the back of this pamphlet for your use. Utilize this tracking worksheet as part of your tracking system. To make your system an "active search tool" combine tracking sheets with a calendar planner. So, as you talk to each employment contact, you can access times, dates, scheduled meetings, and other job search activities. After each job search activity you should immediately complete a tracking sheet and log any new events in the calendar planner.
A calendar planner will provide a long range visual plan for job searching activities. The job search calendar, when combined with the job search tracking worksheet, will provide you with two tools to build time management into your job search.
The calendar will help keep you goal oriented by forcing you to schedule your job search activities on paper. These tools will help you conduct the job search in an efficient manner and on a limited budget. Also, without a clear vision of your time, conflicts can arise from other activities. Use you the job search tracking worksheets and calendar planner to balance your time and reduce anxiety.
The most important aspect of an "active" tracking system is that it keeps you up to date on what tasks need to be accomplished. A tracking system should not be a historical record of why you do not have a job. Learn from your tracking system!
If you have been diligently seeking employment and have not obtained at least one job offer, you may want to review the methods of your job search. A Career Counselor can help you with focusing career direction, employment goals, and assessment of your skills. A Career Counselor can also provide interest testing and support services/group referrals. By no means give up!
Track What?
- Network meetings
- Professional conferences
- Association meetings
- Interviews
- Letters to be sent
- Telephone calls to be made
- Follow up activities
- Personal workout schedule
- Job Search Team meetings
- Family time
- Out of town travel
- Correspondence sent
- Application deadline dates
- Names and dates of importance
- Due dates for bills
Tracking Tips
Set aside some space to keep your job search tracking sheets, calendar planner and other job search tools; consider it your office area.
- Direct mailed information to a person by name; otherwise, tracking and your follow-up become ineffective.
- Follow-up all mail contacts with a telephone call. Telephone contact shortly after the correspondence is received ensures the employer will remember you.
- Track telephone calls by time and date.
- Send a "thank you" to the contact person after your visit.
- Always keep your records up to date and in good order.
- Always make notes and comments of all conversations with the contact person.
- Always do a 30 day follow-up telephone contact. Decide if you want to keep the company on your follow-up list. Make notes of your decision either way.
Analyze your job search regularly by reviewing your calendar activities. Don't use the tracking system to justify why you are not employed.
Job Search Tracking Worksheet
Company Name and Address:
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Mailing Address:
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Contact Person and Telephone Number(s):
Initial Contact Date: |
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| Contact Methods Used (check box & date):
¨ Cold Call
¨ Networking Contact
¨ Informational Interview
¨ Telephone/FAX (circle)
¨ Regular Mail/Special Mail (circle)
¨ Return Call
¨ Thank You Letter/Note
¨ Resume/Cover letter
¨ 30 Day Follow-up (telephone)
¨ Impact Letter
¨ Other |
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Initial follow-up contact date:
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30 Day follow-up contact date:
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Initial Contact Comments:
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Follow-up Comments:
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