There is a palpable fear among working professionals. Artificial intelligence is getting better every day, and smart technology is making human jobs redundant. What happens when robots can do all jobs? Even if you are already employed, it's a good idea to have a backup -- organize a job search before it's too late.

You need a system to collect the job openings and positions you come across. You need a system to know where you have applied. You need a system to track all your interviews, pending follow-ups, and other appointments. The bottom line is, you need a system for the job hunt.

Whether it's an app, an Excel spreadsheet, or old-school paper and folders, these job search organization tools will make sure you get gainful employment.

1. Huntr (Web): A Kanban Board for Job Searches

The Japanese kanban technique is a productivity favorite. You might have used it in apps like Trello already. Huntr is a kanban board app made specifically for job hunting.

job hunt huntr

Make as many lists as you want. Place them in the logical order of progression, so that each job application moves to the right when you reach its next step. The job listing will have all the details you want, like the title, location, salary, and job post URL.

Huntr lets you add a deadline to any card, to serve as a reminder. Each card can also have its own to-do list and notes, so you know what needs to be done. It's a simple and easy system, and actually a better Trello alternative if you organize your job search in Trello. Try out the live demo so you get an idea what it's all about.

2. JobHero (Web): Everything You Need in One Place

Each job you apply for is unique. The more you tailor your application to the job, the better your chances are. JobHero lets you create a dashboard of all your jobs, and add other things you might need.

job hunt jobhero

For instance, it's best to customize your resume, which you can build online. Some employers ask to see a portfolio of your work. In JobHero, you can save all these important documents in one folder. And all your jobs are individual cards too, with deadlines and status update. It is the ultimate organizer.

JobHero also has a useful bookmarklet. With one click, you can save any job posting you see online to your JobHero dashboard.

3. The A-to-Z Job Search Tracking Spreadsheet [Broken URL Removed] (Excel)

Spreadsheets can organize your life like no app can. Someone at the University of Wisconsin-Stout created an elaborate Excel file to track every aspect of a job hunt.

job hunt spreadsheet

There are four sheets in the file. It starts with resume submissions, with columns for every possible thing you could think of. Then there's networking contacts, so that you can get leads to new jobs. The Interviews tab organizes your schedule and reminds you when to send a thank you note. And the Career Websites sheet stores all your usernames and passwords for different job search sites. Although it's probably best if you use a password manager.

The whole spreadsheet is remarkably through. It has data fields that you might not think of were you to make your own sheet, so it's better to start with this one and customize it if need be.

4. JobTrack (Web): Analytics for Your Job Hunt

Now this app is a little different. JobTrack is much simpler than most of the other organization tools in this list. But it has one cool bit that the others lack: analytics.

job hunt jobtrack

In JobTrack, you add a new job opening that you found. When you start typing the company's title, the app will automatically look it up on GlassDoor, one of the best salary comparison tools in the world. You can also add a link to a job listing and JobTrack will try to scrape data from it. The other details are simple, like the job title, location, date applied, and the status of the application.

Once all the details are in and you have a long list of jobs, check out the analytics board. JobTracker uses your data to create snapshots, like the number of applications per week or a pie chart of the different statuses. It's a "big picture" look at your job hunt, without doing any work yourself.

5. Job Search Log (Web): Free Printable Sheet

Sometimes, technology is more hassle than it's worth. If you want to ditch the gadgets and gizmos, check out Career Choice Guide's free printable sheets to manage your job search information.

job hunt printables

It's a set of two sheets. The first sheet is a list of all the jobs you're applying for. This is the sheet that stops you from sending two applications to the same job and looking unprofessional or desperate.

You'll need several copies of the second sheet, as this is where you gather each job's details. It has everything from finding a lead about the job to interview notes and follow-ups, so you remember everything about that application.

Always Hunt or Only Hunt When Needed?

There are two schools of thoughts, when it comes to job hunters. Some people believe you should always be hunting for opportunities, even if you have a stable job already. Others believe a job hunt is only undertaken when it's needed. What's your opinion?

When you land a job interview using whichever tool works for you, be sure to check out these tips for sharpening your soft skills and practice for that meeting with these mock interview websites.