Action Plan: Organizing Your Job Search - Track Progress Tasks - Complete a Job Search Workflow

Q: How should you track your job search progress?

Designate each task as “still to do,” “in progress,” or “completed,” and keep records of application and follow-up timing to stay organized.

Q: How do you build a target organization list?

Research industries and companies you’re curious about using tools like O*Net, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and company websites, then curate the list in a format that works for you.

Q: What should you do during the interviewing stage?

Review common questions and practice behavioral interviewing using the STAR method; schedule a mock interview for feedback through a career coach if available.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Fahsai

Action Plan: Organizing Your Job Search provides a practical framework for managing a job search with clear next actions and progress tracking. It guides users through identifying job goals, values, and target organizations, opening communication through informational interviews, and updating core job-search documents such as resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn. It also covers securing references, practicing interviews with structured methods, sending thank-you notes, maintaining networking momentum, staying motivated, and setting monthly and weekly goals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Getting Started

Determine What You Are Looking For

Create a Target Organization List

Open the Lines of Communication

Update Your Job Search Documents

Ask for References

Practice Interviewing

Take Action

Create a Plan

Tailor Your Documents

Keep Track

Follow Up

Maintain Momentum

Next Steps

BEAM.STANFORD. EDU Action Plan: Organizing Your Job Search Track your job search progress by designating your progress on the following tasks using designations: 1) still to do 2) in progress or 3) completed. GETTING STARTED | DETERMINE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR: Start by identifying your own values, interests, knowledge, and skills as they relate to meaningful work. Schedule a one-on-one career coaching appointment via Handshake. In these appointments, you can discuss with your coach if a self-assessment such as the Values Cardsort, Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or CliftonStrengths would be beneficial for you. | | | --- | --- | | CREATE A TARGET ORGANIZATION LIST: Research industries and companies | | | you’re curious about online using tools such as O*Net, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and | | | organizations’websites. Curate the list of organizations you’re interested in | | | working for in a way that works for you such as an Excel spreadsheet or a | | | bookmarked list. | | | OPEN THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION: 85% of jobs are never posted, so it’s | | | critical to talk with people so that you are privy to opportunities. To do so, conduct informational interviews with professionals to learn more about industries and | | | occupations. For professionals that you already know but haven’t spoken with in awhile, now is the time to get back in touch. Explain your current situation (where you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re hoping to go) . Ask for advice and not a job to leave room for ongoing communication. | | | UPDATE YOUR JOB SEARCH DOCUMENTS: To ensure that you create a strong first impression, update your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile to reflect your most recent experience and expertise. While you will want to customize your resume and cover letter for each application, consider having a master copy of these documents that you can tailor as needed. | | | ASK FOR REFERENCES: Reach out to 3-4 people to ask if they would be willing to serve as references for you in the job search. Provide these individuals with a copy of your resume so they feel comfortable speaking about you to prospective employers. | | | PRACTICE INTERVIEWING: Review common interview questions. Become | | | comfortable using the STAR (situation, task, action, and result) method to answer | | | behavioral interviewing questions. To get feedback and improve your interview | | | skills, schedule a mock interview with a BEAM career coach through Handshake. | | BEAM, Stanford Career Education 563 Salvatierra Walk, Student Services, Stanford, CA 94305-8530 T 650.725.1789 F 650.725.0365 BEAM.STANFORD. EDU TAKE ACTION | CREATE A PLAN: Set goals for each week related to your job search. These goals may vary week to week. Ask yourself what you would like to accomplish as it relates to researching, networking, and applying. Determine how you will dedicate your time each week. We recommend: 50% of your job search time for networking, 25% for material preparation and the application process, 15% for online research, and 5% or less on job board sites. | | | --- | --- | | TAILOR YOUR DOCUMENTS: Once you’ve honed in on specific positions you’d like to apply to, you’ll want to customize your resume and cover letter. Consider what is most relevant or important considering the required skillset and industry. In your cover letter, explain what it is about that organization that stands out to you and how you will add value there. | | | KEEP TRACK: It’s easy to forget about applications you’ve already submitted, or miss an application deadline. Create a system that works for you to track your application status (i.e. date submitted, date followed up, date interviewed) to stay organized. | | | FOLLOW UP: It’s common for applications to get pushed aside in the day-to-day hustle and bustle or work deadlines. Don’t take it personally, and follow up with employers if you have not heard back after 2-3 weeks.<

FAQs

How should you track your job search progress?

Designate each task as “still to do,” “in progress,” or “completed,” and keep records of application and follow-up timing to stay organized.

How do you build a target organization list?

Research industries and companies you’re curious about using tools like O*Net, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and company websites, then curate the list in a format that works for you.

What should you do during the interviewing stage?

Review common questions and practice behavioral interviewing using the STAR method; schedule a mock interview for feedback through a career coach if available.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Fahsai