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Benefits of using a job search spreadsheet
You gain from using a job search spreadsheet in the following ways:
What is a job search spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet for tracking job applications and interviews is called a “job search spreadsheet.” Depending on your needs, a job tracking spreadsheet or job hunting spreadsheet may include different information. However, these documents usually include the following information:
How to create a job search spreadsheet
It’s easy to create a successful job search spreadsheet by following these steps:
1. Create a new spreadsheet document in your preferred spreadsheet program
Open your preferred spreadsheet program and create a new document. You can create a job tracker in any spreadsheet program you like, but some of the most popular options are Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Making and using your job search spreadsheet can be simplified by using a spreadsheet program you are already familiar with.
2. Add column headings
Your job application tracker in Excel or another spreadsheet program should have column headings added to the top row. The information you will list under these headings for each job application should be described. The following headings are useful for your job search spreadsheet:
Some of these fields may be left empty, such as when businesses conduct just one interview. However, including all of these fields guarantees that you have room to track the majority of job application procedures.
3. Customize your job search spreadsheet
Create a customized spreadsheet by including additional fields to record additional job search data that is relevant to your particular search. You could add a column to track the application materials you need or the source of the job. You could also develop a system of color-coding in which various hues correspond to various job categories or professions.
4. Save your job search spreadsheet
Once you are satisfied with your job search spreadsheet, save it so you can access it at any time. Upload your spreadsheet to the cloud if you have multiple devices so you can access it and make changes from a variety of fixed and mobile devices.
How to use a job search spreadsheet
Follow these steps to effectively use your job search spreadsheet once you’ve finished creating it. Update the status field after finishing each step or receiving correspondence regarding the job so you can see where you are in the procedure.
1. Find relevant job postings and record their details
Search company pages and employment websites for relevant job openings. When you see a position that interests you, make a note of the position, the employer, the contact information for that person, the current date, and the application deadline if one is listed. When you’re ready to apply, you can quickly move the job advertisement by linking the URL of the job posting to the position title.
After you’ve added information about fresh employment opportunities, arrange your entries in the manner that feels the most natural to you. You could arrange the business names alphabetically or list the positions chronologically based on the date you applied or the date of your follow-up. No matter how many entries you write, keeping a logical order makes it simple to find pertinent information.
2. Submit your applications and record submission dates and supporting materials
The deadline column in your spreadsheet enables you to submit your applications on time. Record the date and the materials you sent with each application in your job search spreadsheet. You can mark each document as “sent” if it was required that you submit a cover letter, resume, and letters of recommendation. “.
3. Send follow-up emails and mark dates sent
Check the dates of each application and make a note of the day you should send a follow-up email if you don’t hear anything. Select a date that is one or two weeks after the application deadline, or a few weeks after the application period has closed if there was no specified deadline. Include in your job search spreadsheet the date you sent a follow-up email.
4. Conduct research for interviews and mark when complete
Include the date and time of the interview after being requested to attend one in the cell next to the “first interview” column. In the notes cell of that row, you can also list the company research you did and the interview questions you practiced. Alternately, you could create a column specifically for each of these actions, and once you finish each one, you could even mark it with an X or a checkmark.
5. Attend job interviews and make notes
Mark your attendance in your job search spreadsheet once each interview is over. List this information in the notes section of your job search spreadsheet if the interviewer provided a timeframe for when you should hear from them. Write down any additional observations you have regarding the business, your interview, and the hiring process’s next step.
6. Send a thank you email and mark completion
Create a column for thank-you emails to be sent after each interview. Mark this date on your sheet to make sure you send this personalized email on time because you must do so within 24 hours of your interview. After sending, mark this in your job search spreadsheet, too.
7. Write follow-up emails
If you do not hear back within a reasonable amount of time after an interview for a position, you should, just like you did after sending applications, send follow-up emails. Mark the dates on your job search spreadsheet where you plan to send follow-up emails. For instance, if the interviewer told you the day you should expect a response, you could include a date in your spreadsheet that occurs one or two days later. If a specific date wasn’t provided, choose a date one to two weeks after the interview date to enter in the cell.
Mark this field with an X, a checkmark, or the word “Complete” after you send a follow-up email once you finish this task.
8. Make notes through the process
For any comments about the procedure or details you want to keep in mind, use the notes field on your spreadsheet. You might make notes about the following:
9. Repeat steps as required
Before making a choice, many employers conduct multiple interviews with candidates. If necessary, repeat steps four through nine above several times before determining the outcome of your application. Make sure to carry out each step, including the research step, in the correct order. Continuous research can remind you of the company’s history and inform you of any recent developments in the industry.
Job search spreadsheet example
You can learn how to use this organizational tool by watching someone else complete their job search spreadsheet. To assist you in creating your own spreadsheet, we modeled six crucial columns in this job spreadsheet template. To track additional information that will help with your job search, you can add more columns, such as one for the job contact.
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Excel Sheets for Job Hunting | Organized & Efficient Way to Search
FAQ
How do I make a job search spreadsheet?
- Position applied to and name of the company. …
- A link to the job application and job description. …
- Date applied. …
- How you applied. …
- Name of the person who referred you. …
- A status column. …
- A column to track application progress. …
- Interview details.
What is a job tracking spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet for tracking job applications and interviews is called a “job search spreadsheet.” Depending on your needs, a job tracking spreadsheet or job hunting spreadsheet may include different information.
How do you automate a job search?
- Generate Leads Through Automated Email Alerts. …
- Use Alerts to Find Networking Opportunities. …
- Leverage LinkedIn to Get on Hiring Managers’ Radars. …
- Upload Your Portfolio or Resume to a Site Recruiters Visit.
- Set Your Social Media on Autopilot. …
- Use Technology Prep for Interviews.
How do I create a tracker for a job application?
- Write down a list of your contact information. …
- Make lists of where you’ve applied. …
- List jobs to which you plan to apply. …
- Keep a separate list of applications you haven’t finished yet.
- Note which optimized version of your resume you sent where.