What do you do after you apply for a job?

Organization is a key component to applying for jobs.  You have sent out 100, 200, 1000 resumes.  But you didn't keep track of who you sent them to.  Some people you emailed back, some you called.  But who were they?

You need a good tracking system, so set up a spead sheet.  The first fields you will need are contact information, such as:

• Date Resume sent
• Company Name
• Contact Person
• Email Address, Phone, Address, etc
• Job Reference #
• Actual Job Posting.  Not just the URL.  Companies put jobs up and down all the time.  You might get a call a month after your submission.  So make sure you keep a copy, either on your computer or a hard copy.
• If you have multiple resumes then you want a field with your resume and cover letter name so you know what you sent them

The next fields will be their responses and your follow up information:

• Did they email or phone you in response to your resume
• After you sent your resume did you follow up (within 7 days of sending your resume) with an "email" or a "call", make sure to put dates on
• Did you get an interview:
• When
• Who with
• Notes/Thoughts of the interview
• When they are hoping to make a decision
• Follow up, follow up, follow up
• 2nd and 3rd interview same as above.  This is when it is really important to follow up.  It's true sometimes "the squeaky wheel gets the oil"

Just a quick note on follow ups, it is important to follow up but you don't want to be a pest.  You want to show interest but you don't want to be a stalker.  Rate your response to your first follow up.  Did they seem friendly?  Sometimes they will say, "we are waiting for budget approval, give us a call in another couple of weeks".  Resumes get lost or filed all the time, that call or follow up email may make the difference in getting an interview or not or in getting the job or not.

Good Luck Job Hunting