How do you track your Job Applications

SouperComputer

Just started jobhunting over here in the US after three years of having my own company.

Just wondering if anyone has suggestions as to how they track their correspondence for job applications. IE the specific resumes sent to each job, emails, research done on the company etc etc. Some sort of database would be nice, perhaps with Job #'s for each position.

Any thoughts?

Vikings

Why not make hard copies of everything including all email correspondence etc.. and keep a simple filing folder or similar?

Or is everything, including applications, being made electronically?

nesf

I'd just create a folder for each company and organise things that way. Keep a copy of all your research and emails in there. Either hard copy or on your machine depending on your personal preferences.


Not very flashy but unless you're applying to hundreds of companies then it should be manageable enough.

ToxicPaddy

I setup a simple spreadsheet..

Listed the job title, job ref, site or newspaper job was seen on/in, company, date of application, contact if any particular one, listed dates of correspondence etc..

Create a number directory for each company and put links in the spreadsheet for job spec, websites, CVs, etc.

When i got a response, I used to use colour schemes, Red = No chance, Yellow = ongoing, Green = Interview/Job Offer etc.

Sounds very geeky but works for me as within one clear glance at the sheet you can see exactly how you stand.

SouperComputer

ToxicPaddy wrote:

I setup a simple spreadsheet..

Listed the job title, job ref, site or newspaper job was seen on/in, company, date of application, contact if any particular one, listed dates of correspondence etc..

Create a number directory for each company and put links in the spreadsheet for job spec, websites, CVs, etc.

When i got a response, I used to use colour schemes, Red = No chance, Yellow = ongoing, Green = Interview/Job Offer etc.

Sounds very geeky but works for me as within one clear glance at the sheet you can see exactly how you stand.

LOL, Tox thats kinda what I am thinking. Id like somthing more integrated but right now I dont have the time or the patience to re-invent the wheel.

Maybe im a bit nuts but is there a demand for comprehensive software that helps you and manages the whole process? Quickbooks for jobs if you will?

Are you still contracting Tox?

nesf

SouperComputer wrote:

Maybe im a bit nuts but is there a demand for comprehensive software that helps you and manages the whole process? Quickbooks for jobs if you will?

Heh, you IT guys really like to make lives difficult for yourselves.


Quickbooks for job applications would be handy though. Surely there's some open source attempt at it. Not that it's necessarily going to be any good or anything.

SouperComputer

Heh, you IT guys really like to make lives difficult for yourselves.

Yup, I like to integrate and track things. For better or for worse!

Any idea what the name of that project was?

nesf

SouperComputer wrote:

Any idea what the name of that project was?

No, I was just saying that one probably exists. Or at least something you could mangle into doing the job for you.

lukin

I just organise my applications into folders called by the name of the company I applied to, saving the website adresses, the emails I have sent to the company, the replies I have received and the different versions of my CV I have sent to each company.
Interesting idea if one wanted to write a killer application though. I may not need to get a job after all..:D

ToxicPaddy

LOL, Tox thats kinda what I am thinking. Id like somthing more integrated but right now I dont have the time or the patience to re-invent the wheel.

tut tut tut, life in the aul US has made you lazy man

Are you still contracting Tox?

Well still working fulltime (changed jobs again!!!) but doing a bit on the side alright.. cash comes in handy..

I'm sure there is something out there, but i usually find things like that dont have what i want or overly complicate things..

A simple spreadsheet does it for me..