Why I Built TrackMyJobsForMe

I didn't set out to build a software company. I set out to find a job.

Like a lot of people, I did what I thought I was supposed to do: I found openings, clicked Apply, and moved on to the next one. Over time that added up to more than 1,000 applications. The result? Two interviews.

Something wasn't working

That ratio told me the problem wasn't effort. The process itself was broken, and I didn't understand it well enough to fix it.

So I started learning. I dug into how applicant tracking systems (ATS) read resumes, why a single generic resume rarely survives that filter, and how much tailoring to each job description actually matters.

What I learned

• Tailoring matters. A resume written for "any job" often reads as a fit for none.
• Organization matters. When you're applying to dozens of roles, it's easy to lose track of what you sent, to whom, and when.
• Preparation matters. Getting the interview is only half of it. Walking in ready is the other half.
• Follow-up matters. Consistent, professional follow-up keeps you on the radar.

Why TrackMyJobsForMe exists

The tools I needed were scattered across spreadsheets, documents, browser tabs, and notes. I wanted one place to search for jobs, tailor my resume honestly to each role, write a cover letter, track every application, and prepare for interviews.

That's what TrackMyJobsForMe is: one guided workflow from job posting to offer, built from a real job search.

The goal isn't to send more applications. It's to send better ones, and to keep moving forward.

If you're in the middle of your own search, I hope it helps you the way I wish something had helped me.

One More Reason This Blog Exists

There’s actually another story behind this blog.

My 11-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, was the one who kept telling me I needed to start one.

Like most kids her age, she’s grown up seeing YouTube, Instagram, social media, and people sharing their ideas and experiences online. Her advice to me was pretty simple: “Dad, you have to do a blog.”

She was persistent about it — and she was right.

So while I created TrackMyJobsForMe from my own experience navigating a difficult modern job search, this blog got its start with a little encouragement, persistence, and help from Mackenzie.

My hope is that we can use it to share what we learn, answer real questions from job seekers, tell success stories, and make the job search a little easier for the next person.

So, Mackenzie — this part of TrackMyJobsForMe exists because you wouldn't let Dad forget about it. Thank you.