Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Tracking your Employment Processes / Gotta Love Those Spreadsheets! UPDATED 2016

Since we are still in a time of great activity in the Healthcare Technology space, it is extremely important to track your application / interview process while you are on the hunt for your next position, whether it be a consulting gig or permanent employment. 
There are a number of reasons to keep comprehensive notes on your process: 

>So you are not duplicating your efforts. 
>So you don't appear haphazard by accidentally applying to a place you've already interviewed.
>So you don't miss an important interview or the opportunity to follow up with the right person.
>So you do not risk being submitted to one position by multiple firms.
>For your own sanity!

Once you have created your eye-catching resume and updated your linkedin profile to showcase your qualifications, you will want to create a spreadsheet to track your progress.  (If spreadsheets aren't your thing you can create the same format on a legal pad)

From Left to Right you will want to create the following columns, making sure to provide enough width to the column so you can clearly see the data entered.  (this makes it easier to print as well)
1. Date Today's date
2. Company/ Client Name    This doesn't require much explanation.  Enter the name of the Company that you have applied to.
3.  Firm Name If you are applying to the job via a recruitment company
4.  Location This is important if you are considering relocation for a perm job or will be required to travel for a contract position
5. Source This is optional, but can be helpful to list if you found the position through an online job board, a referral etc.
6.  Date Submitted to notate the date your resume was presented to the client
7.  Name of Contact who did you communicate with about the position?
8.  Contact Info  email, phone number etc of the contact
9.  Job Title Title of the job you applied for.
10.  Follow Up notes on any follow up you made after you applied
11.  1st Interview track the dates and method (phone, video, onsite) of your initial interview.
12.  2nd Interview " "
13.  Notes it can be helpful to have a large column for any important notes.

The above is just a suggestion, you might have the need for more or less columns or prefer a different order.  This is your personal tool to keep your process clean and simple. 
  
By tracking your activity you will limit the risk of mistakenly being submitted multiple times to the same client or re-applying to a job you previously interviewed for. 

A great alternative to creating your own spreadsheet is using this free online tool: JibberJobber
You can learn more at www.jibberjobber.com

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