In this article, we are sharing 4 essential tips to organize your job hunt so you get better results, faster.
Let’s face it, starting a job search can feel really overwhelming. In fact, it’s totally normal to find yourself struggling to figure out where to begin or how to get organized. That said, one of the best ways to land the job of your dream is to build a strong job search plan. That is why we are sharing our expert tips to organize your job hunt in this article. We will dive into the benefits of creating a ‘job search routine’ and will offer simple tactics to maximize your search efforts for best results.
The importance of creating a ‘job search’ process
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘inputs lead to outputs’? It’s basically the claim that the best way to get end results is to first focus on the inputs that will lead to those results. Seems pretty straightforward.
Well, the same holds true for job searching. You not only need to make sure you are focusing on the right inputs, but you need to ensure you are doing them in the right order and in a timely manner. If not, you may miss an opportunity or skip a critical step that hurts you later down the road.
The problem is that when people are job searching, they are usually not just focusing on a single role or a single company. They are casting a wide net and applying to many different roles in various functions. With each role added, the complexity of the task sequencing increases. Enter the need for organization and a process.
Having a process and getting organized not only helps to guide you through the various tasks in a logical and sequential order, but it also ensures you stay on track, maintain momentum, and stay focused. With a simple and organized process, you will be able to focus on the tasks in a step by step fashion and turn what might seem like an impossible challenge into a series of manageable tasks.
Tip 1: Use a job search tracker
One of the easiest things you can do when you are first starting your job search process is to create a job search tracker. These trackers are best suited for Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets because you will want to create a separate “row” for each role that you are applying to.
Within the tracker, you should track things like:
- Role description
- Location
- Pay & benefits
- Required qualifications
- Application due date (if relevant)
- Status of application
- Referrals / contacts at the company
- And a lot of other relevant information you need to bring your A game
Also Check Top 20 Situational Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Tracking role descriptions & pay
By tracking information like role description and pay, you are not only organizing all of your information in one place that is easier accessible, but it also allows you to more easily weigh roles against each other and compare & contrast. For instance, maybe after seeing it all in one place, you realize that the role you thought was your dream role is actually pay way below other roles open in the market. Maybe this information will force you to think differently about your prioritization.
Tracking rEQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Tracking information like required qualifications is helpful when it’s time to submit applications or prepare for the interviews. You can quickly reference the tracker to be reminded of the specific skill sets and competencies you will need to play up when you write your resume or cover letter, or meet the team during the first round of interviews.
Tracking APPLICATIOn statues and due dates
Tracking information like status of application and due dates is helpful just to make sure you don’t miss a deadline or let something slip through the cracks. You can plan your weekly schedule by looking at upcoming due dates and be reminded of when you need to follow up with recruiting teams if you notice that your application has been in the same status for a long period of time.
tracking referrals and contacts
Lastly, tracking information like referrals or contacts at the company is helpful because it allows you to quickly identify what roles align to companies where you may get an extra nudge from a referral. This is particularly helpful when you start applications or enter the interviews. For example, let’s say you apply to 10 roles and one of them gets back to you saying they’d like to schedule you for a 1st round interview. You can quickly check the tracker to see if you know anyone at the company and shoot them a quick ping before the interview for some quick tips on how to prepare. For more on how to host an informational interview with a current employee, check out our other article here.
Tip 2: Allocate specific days and times for certain tasks
Effective job searching requires more than sporadic effort — it demands a structured approach where specific tasks are allocated dedicated time slots. That is why it’s a really good idea to dedicate a specific time of the day for things like researching job postings and then another portion of the day for things like networking calls or application submissions.
By compartmentalizing your tasks, you establish a rhythm that maximizes productivity and optimizes outcomes. You get in the habit of waking up and doing research activities, and then switching your brain in the afternoon to more specific, tactical steps like applications and targeted emails.
This division of labor ensures that each aspect of the job search receives due attention, preventing tasks from falling through the cracks due to oversight or procrastination.
Below is a sample schedule that you can follow:
Tip 3: Practice repetition and consistency
When it comes to job searching, it is true that it’s a numbers game. Simply put, the more applications you submit, the better chance you have at landing something. Especially in today’s very competitive job search landscape, it is really important to understand that rejection is normal and persistence is key.
It’s important to remember that applying to every job under the sun also isn’t the move. Recruiters aren’t keen on candidates who throw their hat in the ring for every position a company offers. It can come off as aimless and even a bit needy. Instead, focus on 1-2 roles per company. That way, you show you’ve got a clear goal in mind.
Here’s a pro tip: aim to send out around 10 applications a week. That’s usually the magic number to get noticed without spreading yourself too thin. Happy hunting!
It’s also important to remind yourself that each rejection is not a setback but rather a learning moment and opportunity to refine your approach. Try to maintain a positive mindset throughout the process and celebrate the little wins – each application submitted and each interview secured as progress toward your goal.
Tip 4: Control what you can control
Job hunting can be incredibly stressful. But with a solid strategy in place, you can take control of what’s within your power. Why waste time on what you can’t change? For instance, if a job requires skills you don’t have, don’t stress about trying to mask that in your resume. Trust me, landing a job where you’re not fully qualified isn’t the path to success.
And when it comes to rejection… that is part of the game for everyone. Don’t dwell on it or endlessly dissect why it happened. Reflect a bit, especially if there’s constructive feedback, but obsessing over the uncontrollable won’t help. Stay focused on your goals, and keep moving forward confidently. You’ll hit your stride and snag that job before you know it!
Conclusion
One of the best things you can do as you start your job search is establishing organization and building a process. It not only serves as a forcing function to drive discipline, organization, and resilience, but it quite literally increases your likelihood of securing meaningful employment. Remember it’s a numbers game and try hard to stay the course, even when rejection hits. Embrace the power of routine, stay on top of your tasks, and show perseverance. Your future self will thank you!
