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Job Search Organization
October 12th, 2007
These Sheets are the paper version of the Electronic Job Search Organizer.
Network Log
The network log is used to keep track of your networking efforts. It helps you to identify the persons you have already attempted to call; those calls that have been successfully completed; business meetings scheduled, and attended. Use the form to identify what still needs to be done and where follow-up work is required. Complete the process for all the network contacts in the same manner.
Profile of net phone call
Before you embark on a networking calling spree, you should log profiles of what you intend to gain from the calls. You thus already include the person’s name who recommended you, the reason for calling, and what the result is of the call. Keep record of the person you intend to call such as name, contact number, job title and position in the company. This is used to get in contact with the specific persons. Clarify what you want to gain before you call as people will easily recognize if you are not prepared. Write the results of the call down for further follow up work and make a review of how it went and what you can expect to come from it.
Aimed organizations
Keep a record of organizations that you have targeted. For each company, complete the name of the company, whether you have referrals, the contact person, date and location as well as reason for your choice. This makes your search targeted and helps to identify a theme or industry.
Job aims
Knowing what your main job aims are, helps to narrow you search down to those jobs that are line with your career goals. Use the form to rate the job aims in terms of importance. Rate it on a scale of 1-5 for being bearable or desirable. Also rate each job in fulfilling these goals.
Job outline
Create a job outline for the requirements and specifications of what you want in the job. Compare every job that you apply for with the original outline to see whether it is in line with your requirements. You can also complete a job outline form for every job to make the process of comparing the job with your original requirements and with other job offers easier. Aspects such as pace of work, environment, location options, project sizes, and department sizes, assignments, working with or without supervision, are recorded by placing a cross at the relevant factor.
Curriculum Vitae
It is used to keep record of all the CVs you send out. There is nothing worse than receiving a call from an employer stating that they received your CV and wish to interview you, and you have no idea what is about. You need to keep record, especially when you send many CVs to employers and react on advertisements. Record the transmitted date, destination, address, recommended by, the job specifications, observations and review for each CV you send out. It also helps you to follow up as well as thanking the person who recommended the employer or you. Keep it close to the telephone as this will help you identify what the call is about when an interviewer comes back to you.
Interview Record
Use this form to keep track of interviews to be attended and those already attended. This is ideal for tracking your job search progress and identifying areas where your weaknesses caused you not to get the job. It also highlights the areas in common for example, establish that you have only applied for management positions. You can adapt your strategy to apply and interview for entry level jobs etc. The information such as job specifications helps to assess areas where you need to adapt your CV, or get additional training etc. Use the recommended box to identify the person who recommended you and send a thank you note and feedback to the person. The date helps to show how many days have passed and when you should follow up. Observations include for example panel interview, name of interviewers, the impression they made on you as well as their possible perception of you.
Interview Feedback
Keep a detailed record of feedback received on each interview attended. Make a note of the interviewer, date, location, review of the interviewer, available job etc. This can be used to follow up with thank you letters, letters of enquiries, calls and identifying areas where you need to work on.
Recruiter Records
Keep a record of interviews with recruiters, their contact details, location and when you met, the vacancy advertised and comment on the results. This helps to keep track of all the recruitment agencies where you have held meetings or submitted your CV for follow up work.
Job Offer Comparisons
Use this form to help you identify the positive and negative aspects of a first and second job offer. It helps you to make a decision not only based on salary, but also on all the aspects regarding a specific job. Record for instance, the date when employment is to commence, salary, medical benefits, business plan, profit sharing, child raising factors, hours to be worked, paid holidays, and vacation days etc. Compare the two jobs according to your specific needs.
Effort Review
When you do a job hunt, you need to know how many hours you have spent on the process, how many calls you made, what the success rate is etc. This helps you in several ways. When you apply for unemployment benefits, you can show that you have applied for jobs and that you are serious in getting a job. It also helps you to keep on track and not slowing down to a pace where you will be lucky if you find a job. It also aids in the identification of problem areas and rectifying them. You may for instance, not have spent enough time submitting your CVs or have spent too little time in following opportunities. Record the time spent on each activity to help you create a balanced job search effort.
Financial Sheet and Financial Sheet Extended
To be able to track your expenses and income from the time you have started the job hunt process, you need to keep a detailed record of the expenses involved. It helps you do identify how much money you have available for the process and whether you should get a part time job to support you while searching. Complete all the areas and calculate the costs as well as what is left. You need to be honest about everything in order to create a workable budget.
Job Hunt Grading
Grade yourself on a scale from 1-5 on your effort and emotional commitment to the job hunt process. Make changes in your attitude where necessary and identify areas where you need to work on. Rate for example your enthusiasm, responsibility, and organization etc.
These Sheets are the paper version of the Electronic Job Search Organizer.
Photo Credit Shady
2 Responses to “Job Search Organization”
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November 26th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Very informative….
I think I am going to try to start up my job search again. I was pinning a lot on an interview that went well on Thursday but I still did not get the job. Now I am going to go back to searching like crazy and hope something comes up. I should not have slacked off in the first place. Maybe these can help get me back on track and stay put; I am starting to lose track of what companies I have applied to and where I have not looked.
November 26th, 2007 at 9:50 am
While job searching, are all these aspects necessary for an internet job and a regular sit down 8-5 job? If so, then how would you approach each scenario? I think I will employ this type of organizer in both job hunts but with various tweaks to each. I like this idea quite a bit actually!