Guide · Job hunting · About a 4-minute read
How to keep track of job applications
After the tenth application they all blur together: which CV went where, who said they'd call back, when the interview is. A simple tracker fixes that. Here's what to record, when to follow up, and a polite follow-up email you can copy.
The 8 columns worth recording
- Company and job title. So you never mix up two similar roles.
- Where you found it. Job board, company site, recruiter or a referral.
- Date applied. Starts the clock for following up.
- Closing date. Some employers shortlist before it, so earlier is better.
- Contact. The recruiter or hiring manager's name or email, if given.
- CV version sent. Name your files clearly, for example CV-Smith-Admin-Oct.pdf.
- Status. Applied, interview, offer, rejected or no reply.
- Next action and date. The one thing that moves it forward, with a date.
Paper, a notebook or a spreadsheet all work. What matters is updating it the same day you apply.
When to follow up
- With a closing date: about a week after it closes.
- With no closing date: about one to two weeks after you applied.
- After an interview: a short thank-you the same or next day, then a check-in if you've heard nothing by the date they gave you.
A follow-up email you can copy
Subject: Application for [job title], [your name]
Hello [name],
I applied for the [job title] role on [date] and wanted to check whether you've had a chance to review applications. I'm still very interested, particularly in [one specific thing from the advert].
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
[Your name]
[Phone number]
Learn from the results
After 10 or so applications, look down the status column. If you're getting no replies at all, the problem is usually the CV or how closely it matches the advert. If you're getting interviews but no offers, work on interview answers. Our guides to a UK cover letter and a personal statement can help.
Frequently asked questions
- What should I record for each job application?
- The company, the job title, where you saw it, the date you applied, the closing date, a contact name or email, which version of your CV you sent, and the current status (applied, interview, offer, rejected, no reply).
- When should I follow up on a job application?
- If the advert gave a closing date, wait about a week after it. If not, about one to two weeks after applying is reasonable. One polite follow-up is enough.
- Should I keep a copy of the job advert?
- Yes. Adverts are often taken down after the closing date, and you'll want the exact wording to prepare for an interview.
- How many jobs should I apply for each week?
- There's no magic number. A few applications tailored to each advert usually do better than many identical ones. A tracker shows you which kind of application gets replies.
Two ways we can help
Our printable Job Hunt Tracker has all of these columns laid out on A4, ready to fill in by hand. Get the Job Hunt Tracker.
Not getting replies? We'll rewrite your CV in UK format so it matches the jobs you're applying for, from £25, delivered in 2 working days.