Tracking

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    Having 50 networking contacts and 30 current job applications sounds like an efficient job search – and it is if you have the information organized. Too many job seeking alumni fall into the trap of applying to hundreds of jobs and talking with a large number of contacts only to produce meager results. It is not that they are not working hard at the job search; it is that they are not being efficient in their time and resources.

    Take for example the person who applies for a job and then spends hours researching the company and preparing for an interview only to find out the “open” job was in the final rounds of interviewing. A couple of well placed calls cold have let this person know that the company was well into the hiring process, and thus could have saved this person hours of time and an emotional letdown of a failed job application.

    Or consider the job seeker who has not touched base with a networking contact in six months only to find out the contact’s company just hired filled a position the seeker would have been a perfect match for. “I wish I knew you were still looking for a job,” is often the solace one hears when this happens.

    Consider the following:

    • When was the last time you spoke with each of your contacts?
    • Did you follow-up on the leads or suggestions discussed in that meeting?
    • For each job application, do you know:
      – which resume/cover letter you sent?
      – with whom you have spoken to at that company?
      – how you heard about the job?
      – the requirements and job descriptions listed on the posting?
    • Do you know where the company is on their hiring timetable?

    Most people cannot honestly answer yes to all of these questions. Most of us do not remain connected to our networking contacts nor do we know that status of our job applications. Each day you should be speaking with people about your job search, advice others can offer, where in the pipeline is your resume while tracking this information. By staying on top of these pieces, you will be more efficient in your efforts and less likely to miss an opportunity.