I developed this spreadsheet to help keep track of my job applications. It has a great little overview page and all columns in the actual deep dive have explanations on how to use them. Feel free to download a copy :)

How the sheet came to be

In 2022, the company I had joined less than a year earlier went bankrupt. It was my first role as a data analyst and I absolutely fell in love with all parts of the job, so I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to find a new job like it. Long story short, after a bit of crying into my pillowcase I decided to give myself the best crack and started systematically applying for jobs.

I started tracking all of my applications in a spreadsheet. For the roles where I was offered an interview I also tracked these and reflected afterwards, I gave myself feedback but also reassured myself that, for some of the roles, it wouldn’t have been a good fit. I took note of things that interviewers seemed confused about (or didn’t like!) in my CV. I continuously iterated through my CV after every completed application (or ghosting!).

Some reflections on job searching

1. Red flags in the job description are the indicator that there are red flags in team management or company culture. Do not waste time on applying for these jobs! Hit me with a frying pan, I often applied anyway and every time I walked out of the interview knowing that I would not want to work there (lol)!

2. A well-written CV is a very powerful tool. It is important that it is easy to understand and can guide interviewers questions. Of course some interviewers are bad eggs and you can never make them happy, but most interviewers are there to find their new workmate and want to make sure you’re a good fit and have relevant experience. Your personality highlights the former, but your CV highlights the latter!

3. Absolutely apply to the same companies repeatedly if new roles opened up! I actually applied 3 times to the company I am currently working for. I am so glad that I got rejected the first two times because the team that I am working in now is the best team I have ever worked with.

4. Be curious and ask questions about the team based on what’s important to you! At the time I was applying for my current role it was still early days for me as a data analyst. So I asked a lot of questions about development and how the team helps each other grow. In the interviews I had, with both the leads and the team members, their passion to foster growth came through. I didn’t know exactly how this would translate, but I walked away from the interview feeling good. When I started working in the team I realised how empowering it is to build on each others’ strengths and use this to foster growth. In this team I was given the space to explore what I feel passionate about and am good at, which in turn has helped me work on my shortcomings and grow immensely as an analyst.

5. Finding a new job is a tough thing to do, so don’t leave your head hanging if things don’t work out. You’re taking steps to make your life better and that’s something you can be proud of. Sometimes it just takes time.