Remote job hunting is exciting — but let’s be honest, it can also get overwhelming fast. Between updating your resume, writing custom cover letters, managing interviews, and tracking dozens of open roles, things get messy. That’s why I created a simple, flexible system to track everything in one place, stay consistent, and avoid burnout. 🧠
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In this post, I’m sharing the complete breakdown of my remote job tracking system — from applications to interviews and weekly goals. Whether you're new to remote work or just want a cleaner system, this guide will help you stay organized and in control without losing momentum.
📌 The System I Use to Stay on Top of Applications
One of the biggest stressors in a remote job search is managing everything at once. My system solves that by dividing my job search into clear, trackable sections. I use a combination of Notion and Google Sheets to track role titles, companies, application dates, job links, and follow-up timelines. With conditional formatting and custom tags, it’s easy to see which jobs are in progress and which need action. I also include fields like location (remote/flexible), salary range (if available), and team size.
Having this structure means I never have to wonder “Did I follow up with X?” or “Where was that job I applied to last week?” — it’s all in one place. It also prevents accidental double applications and keeps me accountable to daily and weekly goals. ✅
Read full post → The System I Use to Stay on Top of Applications
🗒️ What I Record After Each Job Interview
After every interview — even quick phone screens — I write down a few key things: who I spoke to, what questions I was asked, what I felt went well, and what I’d do differently next time. This running log helps me prep smarter for the next round and avoid repeating mistakes. It also allows me to spot patterns — like recurring technical questions or culture-fit topics — that I can prepare for in future interviews.
If an interviewer mentioned something unique (like the company’s async culture or tools they use), I include that too. These details make thank-you emails and follow-ups more personal — and show I was paying attention. Over time, this note system becomes a powerful resource when multiple interviews stack up.
Read full post → What I Record After Each Job Interview
🎨 Color Coding My Opportunities by Role Type
To keep my application list readable and strategic, I color code every opportunity based on the role category: blue for product, green for content/marketing, orange for design, and so on. This makes it instantly clear where I’m focusing — and where I might be overapplying or neglecting a target area.
This simple visual system has saved me countless hours. Instead of reading through a full list, I glance at colors and know exactly how I’m distributing my effort. It also helps during my weekly reviews — I can ask, “Am I leaning too hard on just one type of role?”
Read full post → Color Coding My Opportunities by Role Type
📆 Setting Weekly Job Search Milestones
Every Sunday, I set small but meaningful job search goals for the week — like applying to 5 roles, sending 2 follow-ups, or updating one project case study. These milestones help me stay focused and avoid random “spray-and-pray” applications. I also check in every weekend to see what I completed, what worked, and what didn’t.
These milestones aren’t about quantity — they’re about momentum. Having a few achievable goals each week gives me structure and makes the search feel more like a process (not a panic spiral). It’s been one of the most important habits in keeping my remote job search organized and emotionally manageable.
Read full post → Setting Weekly Job Search Milestones
📊 Building a Weekly Dashboard View
To get a bird’s eye view of my progress, I created a dashboard that auto-updates every week. It pulls from my tracker and shows how many jobs I applied to, how many are in each stage (applied, interview, offer), and where I’m waiting on replies. This visual helps me spot patterns quickly — like bottlenecks or role types that are converting better.
My dashboard includes a pie chart for role type, a bar graph for weekly applications, and a section for tracking follow-ups. It's the simplest way to “check in” with my search at a glance. You can build yours in Notion, Airtable, or Google Sheets with basic formulas and charts.
📈 Example Weekly Dashboard Metrics
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Applications | 12 | This week |
| Interviews Scheduled | 3 | From direct apps |
| Follow-Ups Sent | 5 | Across all stages |
🔧 Comparing Tools: Notion vs Google Sheets
Notion and Google Sheets are two of the most popular tools for job tracking — and I’ve used both extensively. Notion shines when you want a clean interface with tags, templates, and embedded pages. It’s great for journaling, storing cover letters, and creating dashboards. Google Sheets, on the other hand, is unbeatable for filtering, formulas, and tracking over time with charts.
My personal setup uses both: Notion for qualitative tracking (notes, wins, links), and Sheets for the raw data and weekly summaries. Pick whichever fits your style — or combine them like I do for the best of both worlds!
🧰 Notion vs Google Sheets Feature Comparison
| Feature | Notion | Google Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Dashboards | ✅ | ✅ (via charts) |
| Custom Templates | ✅ | ❌ |
| Filtering / Sorting | Basic | Advanced |
❓ FAQ
Q1. Do I need both Notion and Sheets?
A1. Not necessarily! If you’re comfortable with just one, stick to that. Use Sheets for data-heavy tracking, or Notion for a more flexible workspace.
Q2. How often should I update my tracker?
A2. I update it daily during active job hunting. At minimum, I do a full review every Sunday before the new week begins.
Q3. What if I’m tracking too many jobs at once?
A3. Add a column for “priority level” and filter out low-priority roles. Focus on the top 5–10 most promising at a time.
Q4. How do I stay motivated when I’m not hearing back?
A4. Celebrate small wins — like hitting weekly milestones or improving your resume. Silence doesn’t mean failure.
Q5. Should I track networking too?
A5. Yes! I have a tab just for connections: name, company, how we met, and follow-up status. Networking often leads to hidden opportunities.
Q6. What metrics matter most in a job tracker?
A6. I focus on number of applications, follow-ups, interviews booked, and success rate by role type.
Q7. Can I use automation to track faster?
A7. Yes! Use Zapier, Make.com, or Notion API to log applications from platforms like LinkedIn automatically.
Q8. What’s one thing to avoid?
A8. Don’t overcomplicate your system. Start simple — add features only when you really need them.
⚠️ Disclaimer: The strategies and tools shared in this post are based on personal experience and workflow preferences while applying for remote roles. These methods may not be universally applicable across all industries or job levels. Readers are encouraged to adapt the suggestions to their own needs, goals, and professional context. This content does not guarantee employment outcomes and is not intended as formal career or legal advice.
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