This is a typical scenario: you apply for the same job twice, forget to send the required writing sample on time, and realize halfway through your second interview at one employer that you never confirmed the times for that one call.

Because I’ve been there, I know this to be true. I couldn’t have managed to apply for 183 jobs in a single summer before I landed at The Muse—I would have drowned without some system to keep track of everything.

A simple spreadsheet can come to the rescue when the cost of employing a personal assistant is too high. Here it is: our job application tracker on Google Sheets that is both configurable and interactive. Make a copy in Google Sheets by clicking File > Make a copy, or select File > Download as > whichever file type you’d like to download. Then, you may start using it right away. Simply select the role that interests you and mark tasks as you finish them. As if by magic, the following step will materialize on the left side to serve as a reminder.

Yeah, we see now; it’s not quite magic. In its place, we devised a formula to facilitate your progress.

Using the spreadsheet is as follows:

1. Find great companies that you think might be a good fit for you.
2. Take a look at what positions are available at those companies. Place it in a row under the “Company” and “Job Posting” columns when you come across one that’s a perfect fit (you can either write down the role’s name or attach the URL for convenience). Additionally, make a note of the moment you discovered it under “Date Job Was Found” so you can monitor the amount of time you have to apply before the position is filled.
3. Submit your application with a well-written cover letter and CV that have been reviewed and edited. Then, under the “Apply” column, mark the date next to “Yes” and proceed. (See, it’s not hard at all!)
4. It’s been two weeks and still no word from the hiring manager. Choose “Yes” under “Send a Follow-Up Email” and make a note of the date to send a follow-up email checking on the status of your application.
5. Well done if you hear back about an interview! Now is the time to get ready. Don’t limit yourself to practicing answers to typical interview questions; instead, use the time you spent researching the company’s history, values, and goals to generate thoughtful, original questions to ask during the final round of the interview. After then, be sure to select “Yes” in the “Do Research” section.
6. Get the interview done! I have faith in you. (The next step is to mark the date and check the box that says “Do Interview.”)
7. Sending a handwritten note of gratitude within 24 hours of a meeting’s conclusion will go a long way toward solidifying your good impression; if you haven’t heard anything regarding future steps after a few weeks, don’t be afraid to follow up. After you’ve finished both tasks, go to the “Send a Thank You Note” and “Send a Follow-Up Email” sections, pick “Yes,” and make a note of the dates. Just select “No” or “N/A” if you’re not interested in doing them.
8. For the second and third rounds of interviews, repeat steps five through seven once again.
9. Depending on the company, you may be required to complete a competency test at various stages, which could involve anything from a written assignment to a coding project. After you finish one of these, be sure to tick the box that says “Yes” under “Take the Test” (you can find it on the far right of the spreadsheet). If you still haven’t heard back after a while, make sure to follow up.
10. Throughout the procedure, make advantage of the “Notes” column to jot down any noteworthy or relevant details that you would like to recall. Things like the name of the hiring manager, a question you wanted to ask after the interview, or a coffee date you had with someone from the organization are good examples.

Last but not least, customize this spreadsheet as you like! You can add steps to the process or modify the name of each task if you’re seeking for greater customisation. If you prefer a more visual approach, you may use conditional formatting to make the data more easily readable (we’ve already done this for you, but feel free to use any colors you choose).

Applying for jobs shouldn’t eat up all of your time. Use this spreadsheet to your advantage and take charge of your job search.

Related:

Preventing Job Search Anxiety

See more