Application Notes
Strategic note-taking for each job opportunity helps you make better decisions, prepare for interviews, and track important details throughout your job search.
The Notes Field
Every opportunity in CareerTrackr includes a rich-text notes field where you can track:
- Initial impressions
- Research findings
- Application details
- Process updates
- Decision factors
- Lessons learned
What to Include in Notes
When Adding the Opportunity
Initial Thoughts:
- Why interested: [Specific reasons]
- Concerns: [Any red flags]
- Fit score: [1-10]
- Priority: [High/Medium/Low]
Key Requirements:
- Must-haves I match: [List]
- Must-haves I lack: [List]
- Nice-to-haves: [List]
Research Notes:
- Company culture: [Findings]
- Team info: [From LinkedIn/Glassdoor]
- Recent news: [Relevant updates]
- Growth trajectory: [Company status]
Before Applying
Application Strategy:
- Resume version to use: [Which one]
- Cover letter approach: [Key points]
- Referral available: [Name if any]
- Application deadline: [Date]
Customization Notes:
- Keywords to include: [From JD]
- Experiences to highlight: [Most relevant]
- Projects to mention: [Best matches]
Questions to Address:
- [Any requirements needing explanation]
- [Gaps or concerns to proactively address]
After Applying
Application Details:
- Applied via: [Company site/LinkedIn/etc]
- Application ID: [Reference number]
- Resume version: [Which one sent]
- Cover letter: [Yes/No, key points]
- Additional materials: [Portfolio/samples]
Follow-up Plan:
- Contact identified: [Name/LinkedIn]
- Follow-up date: [1 week out]
- Connection strategy: [How to reach out]
During the Process
Process Updates:
[Date] - Recruiter reached out, scheduled screen for [date]
[Date] - Phone screen complete, moving to technical
[Date] - Technical interview scheduled with [name]
[Date] - Team interview confirmed for [date]
Key Learnings:
- Team uses: [Tech stack]
- Role focuses on: [Main responsibilities]
- Challenges: [What they're solving]
- Growth path: [Discussed opportunities]
Compensation Discussion:
- Range mentioned: $[X-Y]
- Benefits highlights: [Notable perks]
- Flexibility: [Remote/hybrid details]
Decision Time
Pros:
+ [List all positives]
+ [Be specific]
Cons:
- [List concerns]
- [Be honest]
Compared to Other Opportunities:
- Better than [X] because: [Reasons]
- Worse than [Y] because: [Reasons]
Gut Feeling:
[Your honest assessment]
Decision:
[Accept/Decline/Negotiate]
Reasons: [Document your logic]
Note-Taking Best Practices
1. Be Consistent
Use the same structure across opportunities for easy comparison:
- Same headers
- Same scoring systems
- Same level of detail
2. Date Your Entries
Always prefix updates with dates:
[2024-03-15] - Recruiter called, very positive
[2024-03-18] - Completed technical screen
[2024-03-20] - Received feedback, moving forward
3. Be Honest
Your notes are private, so:
- Record true impressions
- Note actual concerns
- Track real excitement levels
- Document red flags
4. Include Specifics
Vague notes aren’t helpful later: ❌ “Good culture” ✅ “Emphasis on work-life balance, team does quarterly off-sites, manager mentioned flexible hours”
❌ “Technical role” ✅ “70% backend Python, 30% DevOps with K8s, team of 8 engineers”
5. Track Your Performance
Note what went well and what didn’t:
- Questions that stumped you
- Topics that excited interviewers
- Areas needing improvement
Advanced Note Strategies
The Investigation Method
Research deeply and document:
Company Deep Dive:
- Founded: [Year]
- Funding: [Stage/Amount]
- Employees: [Count/Growth]
- Glassdoor: [Rating/Themes]
- Recent news: [3-5 bullets]
Team Research:
- Manager: [Name/Background]
- Team size: [Current/Planned]
- Team tenure: [Average time]
- LinkedIn analysis: [Common backgrounds]
Role Analysis:
- Similar roles elsewhere: [Salary ranges]
- Career progression: [Where it leads]
- Skills gained: [What you'll learn]
The Comparison Framework
Create a consistent scoring system:
Scoring (1-10):
- Role fit: 8 - [Why]
- Team quality: 9 - [Why]
- Growth potential: 7 - [Why]
- Compensation: 6 - [Why]
- Work-life balance: 8 - [Why]
- Location/Remote: 9 - [Why]
Overall: 7.8
Must-haves met: 4/5
Nice-to-haves: 3/5
Deal breakers: None identified
The Story Tracker
Track narratives for interviews:
Stories to Tell:
- Leadership: [Project X story]
- Problem-solving: [Crisis Y story]
- Collaboration: [Team Z story]
- Innovation: [Initiative A story]
Questions to Ask:
- About role: [3-5 questions]
- About team: [3-5 questions]
- About company: [3-5 questions]
Using Notes Throughout the Process
For Interview Prep
Review your notes to:
- Remember why you applied
- Recall research findings
- Prepare relevant stories
- Address noted concerns
For Follow-ups
Reference your notes to:
- Personalize thank you messages
- Ask informed questions
- Show continued interest
- Address any concerns
For Decisions
Compare notes across opportunities:
- Create pro/con lists
- Compare scoring
- Review red flags
- Trust your documented instincts
For Future Applications
Learn from past notes:
- What attracted you
- What concerned you
- What questions arose
- What patterns emerge
Common Mistakes
Avoid:
- ❌ Too brief to be useful
- ❌ Not updating during process
- ❌ Only noting negatives
- ❌ Forgetting to document decisions
- ❌ Not dating entries
Do Instead:
- ✅ Be thorough but organized
- ✅ Update after each interaction
- ✅ Balance pros and cons
- ✅ Document your reasoning
- ✅ Always include dates
Integration with Other Features
Link to Communications
Reference specific conversations:
- “See communication from [date] with [person]”
- “Recruiter confirmed X in call [date]”
Connect to Activities
Note interview outcomes:
- “Technical interview [date] went well”
- “Team meeting [date] revealed [insight]”
Reference Documents
Track what you sent:
- “Submitted Resume v3”
- “Used Cover Letter - Technical Focus”
Privacy Note
Remember that notes in CareerTrackr are:
- Private to your account
- Not shared with employers
- Exportable with your data
- Yours to control
Write freely but professionally, as you may want to reference these notes in future job searches.