How to Track Which Interviews Went Best
Why tracking your interviews matters
Every job seeker knows the anxiety that follows an interview. Did I answer that question well? Did the hiring manager seem engaged? Without a systematic way to capture these impressions, you’re left guessing. Research from LinkedIn shows that candidates who actively track interview feedback are 30% more likely to land their next offer (source: LinkedIn Talent Blog). In this guide we’ll show you exactly how to track which interviews went best, turn raw notes into actionable insights, and use those insights to improve future performance.
1. Choose a Tracking Method That Fits Your Workflow
Method | Best For | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Spreadsheet (Google Sheets/Excel) | Detail‑oriented users | Unlimited columns, formulas, easy sharing | Manual entry, no automation |
Dedicated App (Resumly Application Tracker) | Busy professionals | Auto‑populate job details, visual dashboards | Learning curve |
Bullet Journal | Creative thinkers | Tangible, flexible | Hard to aggregate data |
Quick tip: If you already use Resumly’s Application Tracker, you can skip the spreadsheet and start logging interviews instantly.
Setting Up a Simple Spreadsheet
- Open a new Google Sheet.
- Create columns:
Date
,Company
,Role
,Interview Type
,Interviewer(s)
,Key Questions
,Your Answers
,Self‑Rating (1‑10)
,Follow‑Up Sent?
,Outcome
. - Use Data Validation for the
Interview Type
column (Phone, Video, On‑site, Panel). - Add a conditional formatting rule: highlight rows where
Self‑Rating
≥ 8 in green, ≤ 4 in red.
Example row
Date | Company | Role | Interview Type | Interviewer(s) | Key Questions | Your Answers | Self‑Rating (1‑10) | Follow‑Up Sent? | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025‑09‑15 | Acme Corp | Product Manager | Video | Jane Doe (PM), John Smith (HR) | Describe a time you led a cross‑functional project. | Launched a new feature that increased NPS by 12%. | 9 | Yes (Thank‑you email) | Pending |
2. Capture Real‑Time Notes During the Interview
- Use the 2‑minute rule: Write down impressions within two minutes after the interview while the conversation is still fresh.
- Structure your notes:
- Question – what was asked?
- Answer – your response summary.
- Signal – body language, tone, follow‑up questions.
If you prefer a digital approach, the Resumly Interview Practice tool lets you simulate common questions and automatically saves a transcript you can copy into your tracker.
3. Rate Your Performance with Objective Criteria
Instead of a vague “I think it went well,” use a rubric:
Criterion | 1‑3 (Weak) | 4‑6 (Average) | 7‑10 (Strong) |
---|---|---|---|
Clarity of Answers | Mumbled, off‑topic | Clear but some filler | Concise, compelling |
Cultural Fit Signals | No connection | Some alignment | Strong alignment |
Technical Depth | Inaccurate | Mostly correct | Expert‑level |
Engagement | Passive | Some questions | Proactive, asks insightful questions |
Add a total score column to quickly see which interviews scored highest.
4. Automate Data Collection with Resumly Features
Resumly offers several free tools that can feed data directly into your tracking system:
- AI Career Clock – logs the time you spend on each job application stage.
- ATS Resume Checker – tells you if your resume passed the first automated screen, a useful metric to pair with interview success.
- Interview Questions – practice library; after each practice session, export a CSV of questions you struggled with and add them to your tracker.
By integrating these tools, you reduce manual entry and increase consistency.
5. Step‑By‑Step Guide: From Interview to Insight
Step 1 – Prepare a Tracking Template
Download a free template from Resumly’s blog or create your own using the spreadsheet layout above.
Step 2 – Record the Interview Details
Immediately after the interview, fill in the company, role, and interview type.
Step 3 – Populate the Question/Answer Section
Copy your real‑time notes. If you used Resumly’s interview practice, paste the generated transcript.
Step 4 – Self‑Rate Using the Rubric
Score each criterion, calculate the average, and note any “red flags” (e.g., low technical depth).
Step 5 – Send a Follow‑Up
Use Resumly’s AI Cover Letter generator to craft a personalized thank‑you note. Mark “Follow‑Up Sent?” as Yes.
Step 6 – Review Weekly
Every Friday, filter for rows with a rating ≥ 8. Identify patterns (e.g., you excel in behavioral questions but stumble on case studies).
Step 7 – Adjust Your Preparation
If a pattern emerges, schedule a practice session on the weak area using Resumly’s Interview Practice.
Step 8 – Update Your Resume
When you notice a skill repeatedly highlighted by interviewers, add it to your resume using the AI Resume Builder.
6. Checklist: Did You Capture Everything?
- Date, company, role, interview type recorded
- Names and titles of interviewers noted
- All key questions listed
- Your answers summarized in bullet form
- Self‑rating completed for each rubric criterion
- Follow‑up email sent (track date)
- Any new skill or keyword added to resume
- Weekly review scheduled
7. Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- Log notes within 24 hours.
- Use a consistent rating scale.
- Compare multiple interviews to spot trends.
Don’t
- Rely solely on memory; it fades fast.
- Over‑rate yourself out of optimism.
- Ignore negative signals; they are growth opportunities.
8. Turning Data Into Actionable Insights
Once you have a month’s worth of data, create a pivot table to answer questions like:
- Which interview type yields the highest scores?
- Which companies give the most positive cultural‑fit signals?
- Are there specific interviewers who consistently rate you lower?
Visualize the results with a bar chart. If you notice that video interviews consistently score lower, consider investing in a better webcam or practicing on camera with Resumly’s interview practice.
Mini‑Case Study: Sarah’s Journey
Sarah, a software engineer, used a simple spreadsheet for three months. Her average self‑rating was 6.2, but after integrating Resumly’s Application Tracker and Interview Practice, she identified that her technical depth was the weak point. She spent two weeks on the AI Resume Builder to highlight recent projects, and practiced system‑design questions daily. In the next month, her average rating jumped to 8.4, and she secured two offers.
Bottom line: Systematic tracking of interview performance—how to track which interviews went best—directly correlates with higher offer rates.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How often should I update my interview tracker?
A: Immediately after each interview, and a weekly review to spot trends.
Q2: Can I use a mobile app instead of a spreadsheet?
A: Yes. Resumly’s Application Tracker works on iOS and Android and syncs across devices.
Q3: What if I don’t remember all the questions?
A: Use the 2‑minute rule and jot down keywords. You can also request a copy of the interview agenda from the recruiter.
Q4: How do I quantify “cultural fit” in my rating?
A: Look for signals like shared values, enthusiasm about the company mission, and follow‑up questions about team dynamics. Assign a score based on how strong those signals felt.
Q5: Should I share my tracker with anyone?
A: Only with a trusted mentor or career coach who can provide objective feedback.
Q6: Is it okay to rate myself lower than the recruiter’s feedback?
A: Absolutely. Self‑assessment helps you identify blind spots that external feedback may miss.
Q7: How can I automate follow‑up emails?
A: Use Resumly’s AI Cover Letter tool to generate a personalized thank‑you note in seconds, then schedule it with your email client.
Q8: Does tracking interviews violate any privacy rules?
A: No. You’re only recording your own observations and publicly shared information.
10. Wrap‑Up: Mastering How to Track Which Interviews Went Best
By now you should have a clear, repeatable system for answering the central question: how to track which interviews went best. Whether you choose a spreadsheet, Resumly’s Application Tracker, or a bullet journal, the key ingredients are:
- Immediate, structured note‑taking
- Objective self‑rating using a rubric
- Regular review and pattern analysis
- Actionable follow‑up (resume tweaks, skill practice, thank‑you notes)
Implement these steps, leverage Resumly’s AI‑powered tools, and you’ll turn every interview into a data point that propels you toward your next offer.
Ready to start tracking? Visit the Resumly homepage to explore the full suite of career‑boosting features, or jump straight to the Application Tracker and begin logging your interviews today.