A useful application tracker makes the next obligation visible. It records which role you considered, what you actually submitted and what needs to happen next. A large spreadsheet with only “applied” and “waiting” often misses the important change.
Keep source dates because listings and requirements can change. Record the document version because an interview may refer to the resume already received, not the latest file on your computer.
Copy these fields
Employer; role; office; source URL; source checked; stated deadline; fit note; resume version; submitted date; current status; next action; action due; time zone; relevant notes.
Use “not stated” when a deadline is absent. Do not invent one or treat an old saved listing as proof that the role remains open.
A completed fictional row
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Role | Research-platform engineer, Example Firm |
| Office | London |
| Source checked | September 23, 2026 |
| Fit note | Data-service reliability and researcher interfaces |
| Resume | Leah-v3 |
| Status | Prepared, not submitted |
| Next action | Confirm requested portfolio format, then apply |
| Deadline | Not stated |
This is an invented teaching example, not a current vacancy. The distinction between prepared and submitted is deliberate: a completed PDF does not prove the employer received it.
Update when the workflow changes
If an email requests interview availability by Friday, the next action becomes the scheduling reply. Keep the submission date as history. “Waiting” is no longer an adequate description.
Use statuses that correspond to observable events: preparing, submitted, scheduling requested, interview booked, follow-up requested, closed. Adapt them to your process without creating so many labels that updating the sheet becomes the work.
Protect useful context
Record a short note about the responsibilities and the uncertainty you want to resolve. Avoid dumping private email threads or unnecessary personal information into a shared tracker. Do not store passwords or publicly accessible links to sensitive documents.
Reserve a small regular block to manage the tracker, then return to preparation. Its value is reducing missed obligations and repeated work, not maximizing row count.
The career guide includes editable blank and completed tracker files. Pair this with the six-week plan so administrative tasks support the evidence you are building.
Read before choosing
Open the actual pages.
11 sample pages, including complete explanations. No email address or account required.
Open the PDF previewPreview page 4 of 11. Use Enlarge page for a closer view. When the page is focused, use left and right arrows to change pages.
