Here’s a question to ask yourself while job searching: Am I tracking enough data?

Maybe you blindly apply to a few jobs online every week, interview here and there, but end up with no offers.

And you're not sure why you're not getting traction.

When you don't have data insight in your job search, it can lead to:

• A long ass job search (6+ months)

• Confusion about what you need to change

• Frustration about getting rejected

• Job search burnout

If any of these feelings resonate, don't give up, you can still turn it around. 

Today's post is all about tracking important data points in your job search to help improve your outcomes and get offers.

There are a few reasons why tracking data in your job search is helpful. 

The biggest one is to understand why you might not be converting through various stages of the interview process.

For example, if you aren’t getting past initial recruiter screens, the data you track should give you insight why that might be happening.

Track everything from the number of applications to the content of your interview answers. 

It will help you gain insight into what you need to improve to get closer to offers. 

Being data driven will help you better understand:

• Why you aren't getting interviews

• How far you get in the interview process

• What kinds of companies are interested in you

• If you are getting stuck at a certain interview stage

• How many times you need to follow up to get a response

• Any trends in feedback from interviews

• Insight into current market salaries

Without these types of data points, your job search strategy is much weaker.

The solution: track outcomes, empower yourself and turn insights to your advantage. 

Ok so what should you be tracking?

Open a spreadsheet, notebook, or app and track these numbers every week: 

👉🏾 How many new companies/roles you applied to
👉🏾 How many recruiter phone screens were completed
👉🏾 How many hiring manager screens were completed
👉🏾 How many virtual on-site interviews were completed
👉🏾 How many offers were made

These are the high-level stats of your job search funnel which will help you see how far you are getting in the process. 

If you want more granular info just track more details.

For example, you can track role titles, target prospects, date of outreach, notes on interview feedback, and salary info.

When you take a more systematic and strategic approach, you'll get information about where you might be getting stuck and where to focus and improve.

There’s no magic to it.

Just be accountable to yourself.

Bonus tip: If you keep getting stuck at a certain stage of the interview process, examine what is happening in the stage right before.

Bottom line: use personal data to get clarity on where and why you might be getting stuck in your job search.

That’s the gem of the week, my friends.