Create a personal CRM for your job search
A lightweight tracker for applications, follow-ups, interview notes, referrals, and decisions.
Key takeaways
- Track next action, owner, date, and decision signal for every opportunity.
- A tracker prevents both missed follow-ups and emotional guessing.
- Review conversion weekly to improve your search strategy.
Track the decision, not the anxiety
A job search creates uncertainty. A tracker turns uncertainty into visible next actions. For each role, record status, fit score, source, salary range, next follow-up date, and notes from each conversation.
The goal is not administration. The goal is fewer dropped threads and better decisions.
Use stages that match reality
Useful stages include saved, applied, replied, interview, offer, rejected, and closed. Avoid dozens of micro-stages unless they change what you do next.
Every item should have a next action or a clear reason to stop caring about it.
Review the funnel weekly
If applications are not getting replies, improve targeting or proof. If interviews are not converting, improve stories and role fit. If offers are weak, improve negotiation and company selection.
Next step