Job hunting feels overwhelming enough without trying to remember which jobs you applied to, who you emailed, and when you’re supposed to follow up.
The tabs pile up. The emails blur together. Opportunities slip through the cracks.
A simple job tracker can fix that—if you pick the right one.
Today, there are dozens of ways to track your applications. But the three that most job seekers ask about are Notion, Google Sheets, and AI-powered trackers like RazorApply or Teal.
Each option has its strengths. Each has a few quirks too.
Let’s walk through them honestly, so you can pick the one that actually fits the way you work.
Google Sheets: The Classic
If you want something easy, accessible, and low-pressure, Google Sheets is a great starting point.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Accessible from any device
- Shareable (if you want a mentor or friend to review it)
- Completely customizable — you can build the exact tracker you want
Cons:
- Can get messy if you add too many columns
- No built-in reminders or fancy visuals
- Requires manual updates (no autofill magic here)
Best for you if:
You just want a simple table with dates, job titles, links, and notes. No bells and whistles. Just clean the organization you control.
Real talk:
Google Sheets works best when you’re applying to fewer than 50 jobs at a time. Once your pipeline gets bigger, keeping everything updated manually gets old fast.
Notion: The Customizable All-in-One
If you like your tools a little more flexible—and a lot more visual—Notion might be your best bet.
Pros:
- Lets you build dashboards, boards, and databases
- You can track applications in different views (table, kanban board, calendar)
- Easy to add extra fields like salary range, recruiter notes, interview questions
- Looks clean and feels modern
Cons:
- Takes a bit of setup time (especially if you’re new to Notion)
- Can be overwhelming if you overcomplicate it
- Doesn’t have automatic reminders built-in unless you integrate with other apps
Best for you if:
You like organizing information visually—or if you’re already using Notion for other things like personal projects, habit tracking, or school notes.
Real talk:
Notion feels powerful once you set it up, but it can also turn into a time sink. If you catch yourself spending hours tweaking colors and layouts, pull back. Focus on function first.
AI Trackers Option:
Now we get to the newer kids on the block: AI-powered job trackers.
Apps like RazorApply, Huntr, and Teal are built specifically for people job hunting in 2024.
They don’t just organize your applications—they actively help you apply smarter.
Pros:
- Pre-built templates made for job searching
- Automatically pull company details from job links
- Set follow-up reminders without thinking about it
- Some offer resume scoring, autofill applications, and even interview prep
- Save serious time when you’re applying to 20+ roles at once
Cons:
- Some features are locked behind paid versions (especially on Teal)
- You might lose a little flexibility compared to your own spreadsheet
- Can feel like “too much” if you’re applying very selectively (under 10 roles)
Best for you if:
You’re serious about volume applications, or you just want someone (or something) to organize your search for you while you focus on prepping and interviewing.
Real talk:
AI trackers feel almost unfair when used properly. Especially for high-volume job seekers (consultants, contractors, recent grads), they can save you hours of admin work.
How They Compare at a Glance
| Feature | Google Sheets | Notion | AI Trackers |
| Cost | Free | Free (with premium templates available) | Free & Paid plans |
| Setup Time | 15–30 mins | 30–90 mins (more if you customize heavily) | 5–10 mins |
| Ease of Use | Very easy (basic table) | Moderate (learning curve) | Very easy (guided setup) |
| Automation | None | Minimal | High |
| Best For | Simple job hunts | Visual organizers | High-volume applicants |
Picking the Right One for You
There’s no wrong choice here. But a few questions can help you figure out what fits:
If you’re applying to a handful of curated jobs per week:
Google Sheets will keep you organized without any learning curve.
If you like building your own systems and love visual tools:
Notion is your playground. You’ll appreciate how customizable it is.
If you’re sending 10–30 applications a week and want to save hours:
AI Trackers like RazorApply and Huntr will feel like secret weapons.
Bonus tip:
You can always start with Google Sheets for free and switch later. Or combine them: track in Sheets, but manage follow-ups in RazorApply. No rules. Just whatever helps you stay sane.
What Real Job Seekers Say
I asked a few friends who recently landed new jobs which tracker they used. Here’s what they said:
Emma (Marketing Associate):
“I started with Google Sheets because it was familiar. Later, when things got hectic, I moved everything into Teal. It felt easier once I was applying to 50+ roles.”
Josh (Software Developer):
“I built a custom board in Notion. Loved it. I could add screenshots of job descriptions, notes about interviewers, even checklists for each round.”
Leah (Recent Graduate):
“I used RazorApply. Honestly? Lifesaver. It filled in half the fields for me and reminded me when to follow up. I would’ve given up without it.”
Concluding Thoughts
Choosing the right tracker isn’t about picking the fanciest tool.
It’s about picking the one that actually helps you move forward—and one you’ll actually keep using after the first week.
Simple or advanced, spreadsheet or app, it doesn’t matter.
The goal is the same: bring clarity to your search and own your process.
The better you track, the better you’ll follow up, spot patterns, and ultimately land the kind of role you really want.
And hey, if you outgrow one system and need to switch later? That’s not failure—that’s progress.
Start simple. Stay consistent. Adapt as you go.
You’ve got this.
