How to organize your job search

Hiring has changed. As a jobseeker, you’re going to have to change your ways too. Job hunting has turned more technical, where applying to a plethora of jobs is a given. Now that the hiring process has gone digital with the rise of job search portals such as IIMJobs, applying to opportunities has become way easier than it was for previous generations.

You can easily navigate and apply for roles across the globe by building stronger profiles visible to more employers.

Keeping track of applications can be a confusing task, especially for those looking for their first jobs. These new aspirants are generally the ones who apply to multiple jobs, in order to increase the probability of selection. Multiple applications mean different resume formats, cover letters, deadlines, designations, descriptions, follow-up emails/calls, etc. All this needs to be organised to avoid mistakes – like missing interview dates, follow-up communication, confusion regarding deadlines, point of contact at a particular company etc.

Consider this situation as the first step in becoming a successful professional–staying organized. Your attention-to-detail, meticulous planning and persistence is being put to test in this scenario. The more organized you are it will only help you make smart decisions during your job hunt. Here are some technical tips that would help you remain organized during your job search.

#1- Create an effective job seeker profile

The resume that you post on job portals is your first introduction to a potential employer.

• In the age of virtual job applications, your resume should be formatted in a way that it is visible to the employer. Convince the employer about your relevant skills and experiences through a clear, concise and to-the-point description.
• Research about the ideal resume in your field of study. Find someone you admire in your field and check out the way they’ve maintained their LinkedIn profiles, for example? Do not copy of course!
• Once you’ve conducted your own research and built your resume, have a mentor or professor or a trusted friend go through it. They might not only be able to give you edits but also highlight some of your strengths and weaknesses that you might not be aware of!

The job of a strong resume is to get you an interview call.

#2 – Narrow down your job search

Find the positions that interest you and where you think you would fit in.

• Make a list of the places and positions that you would like to apply for and start checking it off. Applying anywhere and everywhere without a proper plan only increases the chaos while making a decision. Be specific about your interest area and apply to the relevant jobs.
• Portals like IIMJobs even help you categorize your job search according to your preferences. For example, a job in HR is your main goal and a job in Marketing is next on the list of preferences. Then, you would be shown only relevant jobs related to Human Resource and Marketing which would save your valuable time..
• Now, after you have applied to the relevant jobs keeping a track of them all becomes a big task in itself. You need to remember the name of the company, job title, description, date of application etc. which is not humanly possible. Therefore, here are some tips to follow after you submit an application that would help you remain organized.

#3 – Keep a track

You can keep track of your applications by organising and recording your data. How about creating a simple spreadsheet to understand your schedule– especially when you have applied through multiple sites. You can include columns such as:

Company Name

Contact

Email

Date Applied

Application Summary

Interview

Follow up

Status

This makes your work and job hunting process more understandable and manageable. You can also make such record in your word file if that is more comfortable for you. You can also link spreadsheet to Google calendar which would help in reminding you about important deadlines and networking events.

#4 – Make use of portals you are applying through

When you apply through portals like IIMJobs, you can use it to keep track of applications. Of course there are plenty of other tools as well that you could use to your advantage.

#5 – Categorize your emails

Delete unwanted emails from your inbox and keep the ones necessary for reference. This would save you time and help you focus on important tasks. Categorizing your emails helps you set priorities which in turn helps you read and revert only to relevant emails.

#6 – Organize your documents

Tools like Google Drive and Dropbox maintain all your documents in a single place. From your important research papers and project files to your resumes. It gives you the freedom to share and upload files to any website you wish. You could access these files from anywhere–even without Internet.

Folders can help you make life easier. Name your files correctly and organize folders according to the companies you apply to. For example, if there are 2 -3 resume formats in your drive you should name them differently to avoid confusion while uploading the file.

#7 – Use Social Platforms Wisely

Your social media profile can reveal plenty about it. Make sure you make your profile crystal clear and non controversial before you begin your job search. A surprisingly large number of recruiters are using social media to search for potential candidates.

The long and tiring process of searching for a job might make you impatient., but following these simple tips may help you stay optimistic and be ready for an effective, organized and positive learning experience.