Keeping a job search log

I have mentioned recently the wisdom of keeping a job search record or log of some sort, and while new year resolutions are still in mind for many of us, and we may still be making an effort to be more organised, it seems a good idea to elaborate on this a little more. I have written about how a Google search 'Free job search log' will throw out several suggestions, obviously personal taste about which system you will like best and what works for one does not work so well for another will make a difference regarding which system you use,but there are several to choose from and any of them will give you a feel good factor for how much effort you have put into making job applications, when you see them listed.

If you are in the UK and on job seekers allowance ( JSA) you will be given a book, in which to record your job applications and other work related activity. There is not a lot of room in the sections, so you might still want to keep a record. If you get put on the work programme, then you may not actually sign on at the Job Centre, but instead, go there every fortnight, with a sheet, which you will be given to write your job hunt activities on, and that has even less room than the book Another reason for there being a good idea to keep an on line version of your job hunt is that you may have telephone interviews with your advisers and an on line job search record, enables you to email it easily to an adviser if asked to do so.

So, this explains the significance of keeping a job search log. trying to keep an archive of the action you take is essential.

I have previously mentioned my preference for the Google system, which is a Google Drive document. You can change the privacy, according to who you want your record to be visible to, and easily share it. Being that it is stored on line ,but can be downloaded, there is no risk of losing it if your computer crashes, and you can access it from any computer, e.g. at your job club, if you attend one.

Another benefit of keeping such a record is that it helps you to keep track of details such as deadlines for applications. When applying for lots of jobs it is very easy to lose track of deadline dates,interview dates and any follow up action that you take in relation to a job application, such as feedback from an application, or interview.