Organising your job search

Looking for a new job can be stressful. Today, as an IT professional, you may be surprised by the number of interviews you receive and how quickly things progress.

So, when talking to several companies at once, it pays to keep track of your job-search details.

You will be empowered during your search by keeping track of the agencies you contact, your interviews and contact people. You can also get updated with how your job search is going by simply communicating with the agencies that have your CV.

Strategies for organising your job search

It may sound complicated, but organising your job search is based on one simple idea — keeping all information in one place.

You can do this easily by keeping a folder (either on your computer or physical) dedicated to your job search. Include copies of your CV, cover letters, ads for positions you have applied for as well as cards and notes from recruiting agencies and interviewers. It pays to note which agencies and companies have received your CV, when they received it and what jobs you applied for.

Working with recruitment agencies

Part of organising your job search is working with recruitment agencies.
When working with a recruitment agency, you will usually have a contact person who represents you. This person will specialise in your recruitment area and be the person at the agency best equipped to help you. When contacting an agency, focus on your contact person.

Remember to always be professional and courteous and be clear about which positions you have already applied for.

If you are working with multiple recruitment agencies, being organised helps you avoid one of the worst breaches of job search etiquette — contacting the same employer for the same position twice through two different recruiters.
If one agency puts you forward for a position, you should not mention the position or company to another agency UNLESS that other agency asks if you want to be put forward for the same position. When this happens, you should inform them that you are already under consideration for that position. It makes a poor impression on the interviewing company if you knowingly allow yourself to be put forward twice.