Job application tracker template

What each column is for

• CompanyThe employer’s name as it appears on the posting.
• RoleThe job title from the posting.
• Job linkThe URL of the original posting, so you can check it is still open.
• LocationCity, country or remote, and any location limits the posting states.
• Date appliedThe day you sent the application (leave empty while you are still preparing it).
• StatusWhere it stands: Saved, Preparing, Applied, Interviewing, Offer or Closed.
• Next stepThe one action that moves it forward, such as “follow up with the recruiter”.
• Next step dateWhen you will do that action.
• ContactThe recruiter or hiring manager you are talking to, if any.
• NotesAnything else: salary stated, referral, interview feedback.

Keep the status column readable

Stick to a short, fixed list so you can sort and filter: Saved Preparing Applied Interviewing Offer Closed

To turn it into a drop-down: in Google Sheets select the Status column and choose Data → Data validation; in Excel choose Data → Data Validation → List.

Open it in Excel or Google Sheets

1. Excel, Numbers or LibreOffice: open the downloaded file directly, then save it in your spreadsheet’s own format so formatting is kept.
2. Google Sheets: choose File → Import → Upload, select the file and pick “Replace spreadsheet”.

Make each row useful

Status alone rarely tells you what to do next. Fill in the next step and its date for every open application, and sort by that date each time you come back.