Application Stages
CareerTrackr uses a status-based system to track your progress through the job application process. Understanding and using these stages helps you stay organized and identify bottlenecks.
The Seven Stages
1. Prospective
What it means: You’ve found an interesting job but haven’t applied yet.
Use this stage to:
- Save jobs you want to research
- Build a pipeline of opportunities
- Track jobs you’re considering
Next actions:
- Research the company
- Customize your resume
- Write a cover letter
- Apply before the deadline
2. Applied
What it means: You’ve submitted your application.
Automatically tracked:
- Applied date is set when you change to this status
- Days since application are calculated
Next actions:
- Log the application details
- Set a follow-up reminder
- Link the resume/cover letter versions used
3. Screening
What it means: Initial contact has been made (usually recruiter/phone screen).
Common activities:
- Recruiter phone calls
- HR screening interviews
- Technical phone screens
- Take-home assessments
Track:
- Recruiter contact information
- Screening call notes
- Next steps discussed
4. Interviewing
What it means: You’re in the active interview process.
Types of interviews to track:
- Technical interviews
- Behavioral interviews
- Panel interviews
- Final rounds
Important to log:
- Interview dates and times
- Interviewer names and roles
- Questions asked
- Your impressions
5. Offer
What it means: You’ve received a job offer.
Track details:
- Offer amount
- Benefits package
- Start date
- Deadline to respond
- Negotiation notes
Use this time to:
- Compare multiple offers
- Negotiate terms
- Make your decision
6. Rejected
What it means: The application was unsuccessful.
Important to note:
- At what stage you were rejected
- Any feedback received
- Lessons learned
Next steps:
- Thank interviewers
- Request feedback
- Apply learnings to future applications
7. Withdrawn
What it means: You removed yourself from consideration.
Common reasons:
- Accepted another offer
- Role not a good fit
- Company culture concerns
- Compensation too low
Document why for future reference
Stage Progression
Typical Flow
Prospective → Applied → Screening → Interviewing → Offer → (Accept)
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Rejected Rejected Rejected Withdrawn
Important Notes
- You can skip stages (e.g., Prospective → Interviewing for referrals)
- You can move backwards (e.g., Interviewing → Screening for additional screens)
- Some opportunities may have multiple rounds within a stage
Using Stages Effectively
Pipeline Management
- Keep a healthy mix of opportunities at different stages
- Don’t let all opportunities cluster in one stage
- Aim for continuous flow through the pipeline
Time Tracking
- Monitor how long opportunities stay in each stage
- Identify which stages take longest
- Set follow-up reminders based on typical timelines
Success Metrics
The dashboard tracks:
- Response Rate: % of applications that move past Applied
- Interview Rate: % of applications that reach Interviewing
- Offer Rate: % of interviews that result in offers
- Conversion Rate: % of applications resulting in offers
Stage-Specific Actions
Prospective:
- Research company
- Customize resume
- Find employee connections
Applied:
- Send thank you note
- Connect with recruiter on LinkedIn
- Set follow-up reminder
Screening:
- Prepare elevator pitch
- Research interviewers
- Prepare questions
Interviewing:
- Send thank you notes
- Complete any assignments
- Follow up on timeline
Offer:
- Review all terms
- Compare with other offers
- Negotiate if appropriate
Best Practices
- Update Immediately: Change status as soon as something happens
- Add Notes: Document important details at each stage
- Set Reminders: Use activities to track follow-ups
- Link Everything: Connect related communications and activities
- Learn from Patterns: Review rejected applications for improvements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Leaving opportunities in “Applied” when you’ve been contacted
- ❌ Not tracking why applications were rejected
- ❌ Forgetting to update status after interviews
- ❌ Not documenting feedback received