How to Make a Simple Job Tracker on Google Sheets
Finding a new job is always a hassle. You can speed up the process by applying for multiple job opportunities, but then things will probably get chaotic sooner than you’d like. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way.
With Google Sheets, you may create a simple and effective job tracker to organize your applications. You can also customize it to include what you deem important. You don’t need advanced knowledge to create a job tracker in Google Sheets. Yet, it can help you quickly secure your next job.
What Is a Job Tracker?
First things first, let’s break down what we expect from a job tracker. This tracker should list and organize your job applications and progress. Therefore, it should include vital information about the job, and the stages you need to undergo to acquire it.
Here’s what a job tracker should generally include:
With these headings and the relevant subheadings, your job tracker will provide you with all the information you need at a glance. If you’re not sure about what your job tracker should look like, you can take a look atMUO’s Google Sheets job trackerto get an idea.
Once you figure out the headings, creating the job tracker is just a matter of creating the headings, styling them, and adding some options to make it easy to use. Create a blank spreadsheet, and let’s get started!
1. Form the Structure by Adding Headings
To start, type out the main headings and then type the subheadings below them. This will give your spreadsheet its main structure. Once you’re done, your spreadsheet should look something like the below:
Don’t worry about the looks. We’ll take care of that in the next step!
2. Add Some Color and Style
Now it’s time to give the cells some style. Adding color and style to your spreadsheet will not only make it look better, but will also improve readability by distinguishing each section.
i. Color the Cells
Select the main headings and give each a different color. Color the subheadings in groups so that they’re distinguishable from one another.
If you’re using dark colors for the cells, you can change the text color to a lighter shade to make the text visible.
ii. Change the Font Size and Style
Now it’s time to make the headings and subheadings stand out by altering their font style.
Select the main headings and increase the font size to 24. The default font size is 10.
Next, select all the main headings and subheadings, then bold the font style.
If any of the subheadings are overflowing, drag the border and increase the column’s width. You can also center the texts so that they look tidier.
iii. Merge the Main Headings
Right now, each of the main headings is spilled into multiple cells. The border between these cells can be a bother, as the range is supposed to represent a single heading.
To fix this, select the cells and then clickMerge cellsso that they’re grouped together. That’s about it for the basic styling in your Google Sheets job tracker. you could furtherformat your spreadsheet and make it look professional.
3. Create Dropdown Lists
you may use dropdown lists in Google Sheets to quickly indicate each task’s status. The list can include options like Yes, No, or other short strings.
Select the cells that you want to add a dropdown list to and go to theDatatab. Then, selectData validation. This will bring up Data validation on the right. Change theCriteriatoDropdownand input the items you want.
If you want one of the lists to have different items, click onDoneand then clickAdd ruleto create a new dropdown list.Don’t forget to give the items colors. Color coding is key! When your dropdown lists are ready, grab the fill handle and drop it on the cells below to duplicate them.
4. Make Your Job Tracker Navigable
By now, your Google Sheets job tracker has all the functions that it should. However, you may make navigation smoother by freezing the job information heading. You can also lock the headings so that you don’t accidentally move or edit them.
i. Freeze the First Heading
Freezing the cells in Google Sheetswill pin them to your screen, and they’ll always be visible no matter where you scroll. Freezing the job information cells will save you a trip back to the beginning of the spreadsheet.
Select the last cell in the heading you want to freeze. Then, go to theViewtab, selectFreeze, and from there selectUp to column C.
Column C was the case in our example. If you’ve selected a different cell, then the selected cell’s column will show up instead.
ii. Protect the Headings and Subheadings
Protecting the structural cells in your spreadsheet will prevent accidental changes. You can set upSheets & range protection in Google Sheetsso that it warns you whenever you make a change to protected cells.
Select the headings and subheadings, and then right-click on the selected range. In the right-click menu, clickView more cell actionsand then selectProtect range. This will bring up Protected sheets & ranges on the right.
UnderProtected sheets & ranges, clickSet permissionsand checkShow a warning when editing this range. ClickDone.
Now, if you accidentally edit the headings, Google Sheets will prompt a warning. it’s possible to still edit the range if you clickOKon the warning prompt, but now your headings are accident-proof.
5. Use Your Job Tracker
Congratulations! Your Google Sheets job tracker is now ready for use! List the job opportunities in the first section and then fill in the cells as you make progress with your applications.
You can add date stamps by selecting the cell and pressingCtrl+;on your keyboard. If you want to add a time stamp, pressCtrl+Shift+;on your keyboard. These stamps are static, and they won’t change when you open the spreadsheet in the future.
Google Sheets is web-based, so you can use your job tracker on any of your devices. You can alsoexport your spreadsheetto keep a hard copy of it and edit it with other spreadsheet apps like Excel.
The Job Hunt Begins
A job tracker can prevent the inevitable chaos of applying for multiple jobs at once, and make your job hunt efficient. You don’t need to download a job tracker app to keep track of your applications. Google Sheets allows you to create your own custom job tracker, tailored to suit your needs.
Your job tracker now has different color-coded sections, dropdown lists, and a fixed information section. You know you won’t mess it up by accident because you’ve protected the headings. Well then, what are you waiting for? Let the job hunt begin!
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