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How to track your job search | old vs new methods in 2024

by Editorial Team, Mployee.Me

01/07/2024
6 min
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Are you prepared to move confidently and strategically through the changing work market of 2024? Although the job search process is intricate and dynamic, success is achievable with the appropriate strategy. As we delve into this extensive guide, keep in mind that becoming proficient in the job search process necessitates knowing the current environment, making the most of technology, networking successfully, and remaining resilient. This comprehensive guide seeks to provide you with the knowledge and tactics need to land your ideal job in the upcoming year.Knowing the Employment Market for 2024‍2024 will be a dynamic year for the employment market, with a number of major factors influencing hiring practices and candidate requirements. The first step in developing a successful job search strategy is recognizing these patterns.

We'll cover:

  • Traditional methods of tracking job search
  • Modern method of tracking your job search
  • Efficient ways of job tracking
  • 6 TIPS FOR ORGANISING YOUR JOB SEARCH

Traditional methods of tracking job search

Before the development of digital tools and platforms, a variety of manual and analog procedures were often employed for tracking job searches. Here are a few of the main conventional techniques:


- Keep a journal or notebook:


Recording information on job applications, such as firm names, positions sought, application dates, follow-up dates, and interview schedules, in a special notebook or diary.


- Spreadsheet:

To build a table with columns for job application details including firm name, job title, application date, contact information, application status, and follow-up dates, use a paper-based spreadsheet. 


- Physical Calendar:

Dates for interviews, application deadlines, and follow-up reminders should all be noted on a physical calendar when conducting a job search.


- Folder System:

Maintaining physical folders for each job application containing copies of the resume, cover letter, job description, and any correspondence with the employer.


- Index Cards:

Writing down job application details on index cards and organizing them in a box or file. Each card could include the company name, position, date applied, and contact information, with follow-up notes added as needed.


- Bulletin Board:

Using a bulletin board to pin up job leads, application details, and reminders for follow-ups. This visual method can help keep the job search organized and in plain sight.


- Phone/Address Book:

Recording contact information of hiring managers, recruiters, and professional connections in a physical phone or address book for easy reference.


- Mail Tracking:

Keeping track of job applications sent by mail, including dates of dispatch and receipt confirmations, using a mail log or by retaining copies of sent applications and cover letters.


- Events for Networking:

Getting information about job openings and establishing contacts by going to industry conferences, job fairs, and in-person networking events. Organizing notes and business cards from these gatherings so you can refer to them later.


- Newspaper and Classified Ads:

Regularly checking newspaper job listings and classified ads, clipping and saving relevant job postings for reference and application.


These traditional methods, while effective, often require significant time and effort to manage compared to modern digital tools, which offer more convenience, automation, and efficiency in tracking job applications and related activities.

Traditional Vs Modern Methods of job search

Modern method of tracking your job search

Maintaining an online job search journal can assist you in being motivated, focused, and organized. It can also assist you in tracking your development, identifying any gaps, and refining your plan. You will discover some useful tools and advice for efficiently tracking your job hunt online in this article.


- Choose a method

It's critical to select an approach that is simple to use, update, and retrieve when keeping track of your online job hunt. A calendar, an online application, a spreadsheet, or a mix of these could be used. Look for features like the ability to record and sort data, including job title, company, contact, status, date, and notes; set follow-ups, deadlines, and reminders; sync with your phone, email, and other devices; and export, backup, and share your data when choosing your method.


- Create a system

After choosing a method, you must set up a mechanism to regularly monitor your online job hunt. Setting up a procedure, a structure, and a routine are necessary for this. Every day or every week, set up a specified time and location to update your tracking method. When adding and amending data, be sure to adhere to a standard format and style. For example, use the same font, color, and symbols to emphasize key information. Create a procedure to advance your applications from one level to the next as well. For example, you could use a status column to show if you have applied, received a response, been interviewed, or been extended an offer. Lastly, periodically evaluate your tracking strategy and make any necessary modifications. 


- Use online tools

Using internet tools could help you manage your job hunt more effectively and productively. Jobs can be found, applied for, saved, and managed via job search engines and job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. Moreover, email and calendar apps like Google Calendar, Outlook, and Gmail can be used to manage employer reminders and other correspondence. In addition, job search managers and trackers such as Jibber Jobber , Huntr , and CareerShift, which also provide analytics and feedback, can help you manage and monitor your job search activity.   


- Track your results

It's essential to keep an eye on your internet job search so you can evaluate your efforts and results. Metrics like the number of applications, interviews, offers, and rejections should be monitored if you wish to evaluate your progress quantitatively. Qualitative insights into your performance may also be obtained by tracking employer feedback. 


- Track your learning

You need to keep a record of your online job searches so that you can draw lessons from both your great and bad encounters.As well as preparing you for new opportunities, this can help you gain knowledge, confidence, and skill.Portfolios, certifications, and endorsements are useful tools for managing your skills. Moreover, webinars, podcasts, and blogs are excellent sources of information that may be shared and acquired. You can also track and build your confidence with the help of comments, compliments, and affirmations. By making a note of these things, you may learn valuable information that may help you later on in your job search.   

Efficient ways of job tracking

Job tracking is part of the project management processes within field service operations. It’s what you follow to keep an eye on the pipeline of jobs and their statuses. This allows your entire team to identify potential obstacles and delays and ensures jobs are completed within SLAs and budgets.


In fact, leading field service businesses use job tracking software to monitor job progress in real-time so that you can visibly see on one platform how the entire business is performing – instantly!


Let’s delve a little more into how this benefits field services businesses.


Enhancing efficiency: 

Top benefits of real-time job tracking

The biggest benefit of moving from manual job tracking to a digital solution is the power of real-time data. Field teams can literally update jobs in seconds so the entire business has a live view of job statuses and can take action if needed (like ordering parts or spotting trends and minimising bottlenecks). But, there’s more. Real-time job tracking also provides:


Improved comms and collaboration:

Naturally, with better visibility comes better communication. With the entire business on the same page, teams can work more closely together to solve challenges, get invoices issued, and resolve customer queries.


More efficient planning: 

Better communication means things are less likely to slip through the cracks. For example, you can be more “on it” with monitoring stock needed, prepare back-up during staff absences, or reconfigure job schedules if jobs overrun.


Delivery on customer expectations: 

You can then alert customers quickly if this is likely to  impact jobs. But beyond this, job tracking software allows you to alert customers automatically of an engineer’s ETA and even allows you to track the engineer’s vehicle live so they can see when they are nearby.

6 TIPS FOR ORGANISING YOUR JOB SEARCH

- Check in weekly:

Compiling a list of all the jobs you’ve applied to and the information associated with those applications is great, but part of the reason for doing this is to check back in on these opportunities. Weekly check-ins help you establish a schedule for when you should follow up with your job, how many positions you’ve applied for, and how well your search is going overall.Establishing a routine for reviewing your application spreadsheet or document at the end of the week improves your chances of getting the position because you’ll be on top of deadlines and dates of when you applied.


- Avoid applying too much:

Applying to every job that even slightly relates to your experience could be tempting, but doing so could make it more difficult for you to get the job you desire. It generates an abundance of businesses and positions for which you have applied, which may cause a great deal of confusion.Furthermore, applying to too many jobs at once can wear you out quickly. Being mentally exhausted is something you want to avoid at all costs when looking for a new employment. Apply only for jobs where you can picture yourself thriving and where your professional ambitions align with the role. 


- Turn on job search notifications:

Many job search websites offer a helpful option to receive notifications when job listings in your field of expertise get posted to their site. Receiving email notifications about job openings with your search parameters keeps your search and organizational system current with the most up-to-date opportunities. It also takes a lot of the hassle out of logging into job search websites every day to see new postings.


- Use your calendar to follow application timelines:

Including the date when you applied in your job search organizational system is needed to create an accurate timeline of how long it’s been since you reached out.Putting this information on your calendar can also reiterate this point and keep you on top of following up with potential employers. It can also be convenient when calls for interview start rolling in, and you need to focus on scheduling.


- Include a company summary for jobs you’ve applied to:

Including a company summary for the job openings you’ve applied to can be helpful for several reasons. The primary reason is that it can be a useful reminder when an employer reaches out or asks you to come in for an interview.

Additionally, writing a summary about the companies you’ve applied to can get you more familiar with their values and goals. This can provide insight for if you even want to work with them in the first place, and if you do, it gives you an explanation for why.


- Create checklists for job applications:

Applying for a job is a process with a lot of steps. To stay on track with your applications, implement a checklist of steps that lead to either getting the job or not for each opportunity you’re going after.

After applying for a job, manage a tally of the actions that follow, such as:

  • Receiving a call for an interview
  • Following up
  • Being informed that you didn’t receive a position
  • Keeping up with what actions have been taken in the application process for each possible position makes it easier to know what opportunities are still possible and which doors have closed.

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