One row per application
For every job, record the employer, the role, where you found it, the date you applied, a link to the ad, your contact there and the current status. Save a copy of the job ad itself; listings are often taken down before the interview.
Set a follow-up date
When you apply, decide when you will follow up if you hear nothing, often a week or two later. A short, polite message to the recruiter or hiring manager keeps you visible without being pushy.
Keep interview notes
For each interview, note who you met, what they asked, what you want to remember, and the next step. Send a short thank-you note afterwards. When a second interview comes, your notes are ready.
Track your contacts
Recruiters, referrals and references are part of the search. Note who they are, how you know them and when to get in touch next. Tell your references when they might be contacted.
Learn from the numbers
After a few weeks, look at how many applications lead to a reply and an interview, and which sources work best: job boards, referrals or applying directly. Put more effort into what works, and revisit your resume if few applications get a response.
Set a steady pace
Set a weekly goal you can sustain, such as a number of tailored applications, rather than sending dozens in one burst and then stopping. A steady search is easier on you and usually more effective.
Use a few clear stages
Give every application one status: applied, followed up, interview, offer, rejected or withdrawn. Sorting by status shows at a glance what needs action today, and which applications you can stop thinking about.
Applications, follow-ups and interviews in one place. The Job Application Tracker records each job once, works out when to follow up, lists applications waiting on a reply, keeps interviews with prep and thank-you notes, and keeps recruiters, referrals and references. The dashboard shows applications against your weekly goal and which job sources work best. The free version has applications with follow-up dates and an interviews list.
View in the StoreFrom the Stelaah Store
- ✓Job Application Tracker. An Excel and Google Sheets job application tracker with follow-up reminders, interviews, contacts, offer comparison and a weekly log.
- ✓Free ATS Resume Checker. A free online ATS resume checker: paste your resume and a job ad to get a match score out of 100, the missing keywords and checks on headings, contact details and length.
We build Stelaah and the Stelaah Store. These guides cover the everyday problems our planners, kits and tools are made for, in plain steps you can use with or without them.
