Job Search Notes: Tracking Applications and Preparing for Interviews

How to keep a tidy record of applications, contacts and follow-ups, and to build interview notes, using checklists, tags and reminders.

A job search can involve dozens of applications, each with its own deadlines, contacts and stages. Without a system, it's easy to lose track, miss a follow-up or forget what you told whom.

Create an applications tracker

Make a note called "Job applications", with an entry for each role:

Company: Bright Labs Role: Marketing Coordinator Applied: 5 Oct Link: (job posting) Contact: Name, email Status: Applied / Screening / Interview / Offer / Rejected Next step: Follow up on 12 Oct Notes: Salary range, location, why interested

Use tags for status, such as applied, interview and offer, so that you can filter quickly.

Save the job description

Job postings are removed after the deadline. Copy the key details into your note: responsibilities, required skills and application instructions. You'll need them when preparing for interviews.

Tailor and track documents

Note which version of your CV and cover letter you sent to each employer, and what changes you made. If they call, you'll know exactly what they've seen.

Set reminders

Application deadlines: a couple of days before.
Follow-ups: about a week after applying, if you haven't heard back.
Interviews: the day before, with a reminder to prepare.
Thank-you notes: the same day as an interview.

Preparing for interviews

For each interview, create a note:

Company research

What they do, size, recent news
Products, services, values
Competitors

The role

Key responsibilities
Skills they need, with examples from your experience

My stories Prepare three to five examples from your work or studies that show your skills. A common structure is Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Questions for them Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, expectations, growth and culture.

Logistics

Date, time, address or video link
Names of interviewers
Travel time and route
What to wear and bring

Common interview questions

Write draft answers to questions such as:

Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want this role?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Describe a challenge you overcame.
Where do you see yourself in five years?

Practise them aloud, rather than only in writing.

After the interview

Immediately write down what was asked, what went well and what you'd improve, and any next steps they mentioned. Send a brief thank-you message.

Track networking

Keep a list of people who've helped, or with whom you've spoken, with dates and topics. Follow up periodically. Relationships matter in job searches.

Salary and offers

Note salary ranges, benefits, and questions to ask before accepting. Compare offers side by side in a note with rows for salary, location, growth, commute and culture.

Look after yourself

Job searching can be draining. Note small wins, take breaks and talk to friends. Rejection is common and rarely reflects your worth.

Keep records private

Lock notes with sensitive information, such as salary expectations or contacts at your current employer.

Common mistakes

Not keeping track of where you applied.
Sending generic applications.
Skipping follow-ups.
Not reflecting after interviews.

Track applications and prepare for interviews with EasyNotes →