how do you keep a record of jobs applied for?

iammumtoone

Just wondered what everyones system is? I think mine is quite good but I do need to change it as it is costing me money keep printing records so I need to think of another system

At present I print out every job description I apply for and take a copy of my application form that goes with this. I file these in date order via the expiry date (job that expires first at the front) so when I look through I know who to chase up and when. I like to keep a record of everything that applies to the job as if I get an interview I need to know this info, I have found there is no point in looking back online for this info as a lot of the time the job has expired so this is no longer available.

DKLS

Do you get confirmation emails of your applications from any of the job sites? that would help with the printing costs.




Most of the job sites I use have a tickbox where you can receive a copy of your application. Would that be enough evidence?

iammumtoone

DKLS wrote: »

Do you get confirmation emails of your applications from any of the job sites? that would help with the printing costs.




Most of the job sites I use have a tickbox where you can receive a copy of your application. Would that be enough evidence?

Sometimes I do but its just confirmation of the fact I have applied for the job, it doesn't include any information about the job. I am not looking for evidence to give the job centre, this is for my records, if I get an interview I need to have a record of what the original job description was so I know what job I am being interviewed for! along with a copy of my application so I can answer any questions they have relating to it.

fairy_lights

That sounds like a very thorough and organised system! Instead of printing everything out though, couldn't you just save all the info on your computer? You could create a folder specifically for completed job applications and descriptions and you would still be able to arrange them in to date order.
Then if you have an interview and need to have a hard copy of the job descripton etc to look over, just print off the relevant pieces.

iammumtoone

fairy_lights wrote: »

That sounds like a very thorough and organised system! Instead of printing everything out though, couldn't you just save all the info on your computer? You could create a folder specifically for completed job applications and descriptions and you would still be able to arrange them in to date order.
Then if you have an interview and need to have a hard copy of the job descripton etc to look over, just print off the relevant pieces.

Thanks yes I could take screen shots and save these, it will take longer but will save printing, I will consider that.

I am still interested to hear what others do as whilst my system works I am wondering if it is a bit overkill and there is an easier/cheaper/quicker way.

AP007

iammumtoone wrote: »

Just wondered what everyones system is? I think mine is quite good but I do need to change it as it is costing me money keep printing records so I need to think of another system

At present I print out every job description I apply for and take a copy of my application form that goes with this. I file these in date order via the expiry date (job that expires first at the front) so when I look through I know who to chase up and when. I like to keep a record of everything that applies to the job as if I get an interview I need to know this info, I have found there is no point in looking back online for this info as a lot of the time the job has expired so this is no longer available.

For the Job Centre I have a sheet where I write
The date, job title and ref number, who advertised the job, who I applied to ie a email address or name, where the role was advertised, the date I will chase the job.

On my email folders called Job Applications I save all the automated emails I get from sites after I have applied. I also copy all the job links and copy and paste the job advert to an email and send to myself so even when the job has gone from the net (normally in 80 days) I still have it.

All application forms I save in a folder on my laptop called Job Application forms along with the job specs.

DKLS

iammumtoone wrote: »

Sometimes I do but its just confirmation of the fact I have applied for the job, it doesn't include any information about the job. I am not looking for evidence to give the job centre, this is for my records, if I get an interview I need to have a record of what the original job description was so I know what job I am being interviewed for! along with a copy of my application so I can answer any questions they have relating to it.

In that case, what I do is create a folder, and dump in the Job Description, any pertinent info, links to company sites etc and the CV I created for that application.


If I get invited to interview I print it all out, If I don't I save the CV in a separate folder and delete the rest.

billco

+1 DKLS

Rubbing shoulders with some of the staff that work there i think helps more as you never really find the true flaws and perks to a job that you might be able to raise in an interview by reading off a vacancy slip. Not saying your system is wrong but there is a point where its just paralysis by analysis.

Tiglath

Being me, I'd PDF or screenshot what was needed to my hard drive and have a spreadsheet to keep a summary of it all - one row per job with different columns according to what I wanted to track.

Starlet

This is how i organised the folders on my laptop:
(I found this system to be useful because at a glance, i could quickly see all of the companies i had applied for, and the way i named my folders meant that they would automatically arrange in date order.... I hope you find it useful as well)


I had a main folder on my desktop titled "johunting"

I had a sub-folder, titled "still apply".
Here, I saved the info about jobs (e.g. downloaded job descriptions, screenshots, links, etc.)
Then, each job i was interested in applying for had a separate folder. The folder was named as such:
[expiry date for applications] - [company name] - [job title]

e.g.
2013.09.18 - argos - sales assistant
2013.09.22 - whole foods market - admin assistant
2013.09.24 - peter jones - part time sales assistant

sub-folder #2 was titled "jobs applied for".
This time, the folder was named reflecting the date i eventually applied for the job (using the file-naming convention described above). In this folder, I also specifically saved the CV sent to the company, in case if I'm called to an interview. If it was an online application, then i would copy+paste their questions + my answers given

Smi1er

Use PDF creator to print a PDF copy of the job spec, most applications allow a copy to be sent to you.

Keep these in one folder and then marry up if asked for interview.