How to track job applications

A job hunt has many moving parts. A simple system keeps them from slipping.

What to record for every application

• Company and role, so you can tell similar applications apart.
• The job link, because postings disappear once a role is filled.
• The date you applied.
• Where it stands (the stage).
• The next date: a screening call, an interview, or a day to follow up.
• Notes: who referred you, what was said, anything you promised.

Stages that work for most searches

Four are enough for most people: Applied, Screening, Interview and Offer. Add a Rejected or Withdrawn state if you want a record of closed applications.

A simple template

Copy those columns into a spreadsheet and sort by the next-step date.

Follow up on a schedule

Many people follow up about a week after applying or after an interview, then again a week later. Whatever rhythm you choose, write the follow-up date in your tracker so it does not depend on memory.

Or let HuntYourPath keep track

HuntYourPath does this for you: a board with the stages above, the date for each stage, a Today page for what is coming up and what has gone quiet, and one-tap calendar entries. Paste a job link and it fills in the company and role.