How Do You Manage Your Job-Search Info?

bilsaysthis writes "Finding job postings, tips for effective resume writing and social networking tools to overcome the 'who you know' problem are generally available these days, but what about keeping track of all the information (jobs applied for, people contacted, follow ups, etc)? After looking I found people using all sorts of informal means (text files, spreadsheets, email folders, bookmarks) but nothing very organized or focused specifically on the tasks. What do you use?"

Comments

My technique.

[fmaxwell]

If I'm out of work, I go fishing, motorcycling, and boating. I also hang out with friends. Eventually, an ex-boss, ex-coworker, or headhunter calls or e-mails and offers me a job. If it sounds good, I take it. If not, I politely bow out and go back to my recreational activities. I initially turned down the job I have now, but was asked to reconsider some months later. Since winter was coming on and I like the guy who wanted me to work for him, I accepted.

Post-Its and e-mail are more than good enough to handle the amount of data I'm dealing with at any given time.