Use Lists to Stay on Track on the Job Hunt

Keeping your job hunt organized is essential if you want to keep track of where you have applied and what jobs interest you. To-do lists are excellent tools for job seekers because they allow you to visually identify what you have done or need to do. They can also keep you organized, reduce stress, and allow you to prioritize.

Start by creating a list of jobs that interest you. You can create these lists with one of a variety of apps online or on your mobile phone, or you can make a list using a word processing program or spreadsheet. Some people even prefer to use sticky notes because you can move them around and change the order in which you will approach the tasks as your plan changes. Things to include in your job hunt list include the company name, job title, who to contact, and the date you apply. You can also leave room to include any research you do on the company during your job search.

Keep your list posted where you can easily see it or get to it if you receive a follow-up phone call or if you need reminders of what you to do and when to do it. A good place to put your job hunt list is on your refrigerator or a bulletin board in your office or workspace. If you use sticky notes, arrange the notes on a manila folder. Keep the notes in order so that you can complete your job hunt efficiently, and you can even peel and toss the notes when a particular job doesn't pan out. Use different colors for different types of jobs, or use different colors to represent different stages in your job hunt.

Status tracking is extremely important for a job seeker. If you send in several résumés to Internet postings each day, make sure you don't forget where you have applied. You will appear extremely disorganized if you send a resume to a company more than once in a week or if you send in a resume to a company that has already turned you down once before. When you create a list to include each query you send out and treat your job search like a business strategy, you know exactly where you applied and when, and you can find out where you are in the job application process at one glance instead of weeding through sent emails.

Keeping updated lists during your job hunt will allow you to treat your search like a business strategy. When you prioritize your tasks, it can help you locate the best opportunities and plan a strategy that gets results. Lists will keep you organized and will help you ensure you make the most of your time during your job hunt.

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