Hot Tips on Job Search Logs

Down Income – “You Never Give Me Your Money”

By Emily T. Mueller, Esq.

If your client is the obligor, and loses their job the Court may require them to demonstrate the efforts they have made to demonstrate a diligent, good-faith effort to find employment. The log should be very detailed and backed up by evidence. More is better than less in this instance.

Log content

A well-documented job search log should, at a minimum, include the following information for each contact made:

  • Date of contact: The specific date your client attempted to contact a prospective employer.
  • Employer’s name and contact information: The company name, address, phone number, and/or website.
  • Method of contact: How the contact was made, such as in-person, phone call, internet application, or sent resume.
  • Name of person contacted: The name and title of the person your client spoke with, if applicable.
  • Position applied for: The specific job title your client is seeking.
  • Result of contact: A brief description of the outcome, such as application submitted, no openings, interview scheduled, or application taken.

Necessary documentation for presentation

In addition to the log itself, you must provide supporting evidence to back up every entry. The goal is to provide undeniable proof of your efforts.

For online applications

  • Copies of job postings: Printouts of the online job listings your client responded to.
  • Digital communications: Copies of all emails and communications with the employer, including confirmation emails for submitted applications.

For physical applications

  • Copies of job postings: Printouts or photos of physical advertisements (e.g., Help Wanted signs).
  • Physical applications and cover letters: Copies of all applications and cover letters that were submitted.
  • Receipts or logs: If you submitted an application in person, consider logging the time and person you handed it to.

For all applications

  • Copies of resumes: All versions of the resume(s) sent out, tailored to specific job applications if applicable.
  • Written correspondence: Copies of any letters received from employers (offer letters, acknowledgment letters, rejection letters).
  • Professional networking records: If applicable, documentation of networking events or calls with professional contacts/recruiters.

Best practices for presentation

  • Be meticulous: consider creating a spreadsheet or log to make the information more digestible for the Court.
  • Exceed the requirement: If the Court orders your client to apply to 15 jobs before the next court date, have them apply to 20 positions.
  • Organize your evidence: Present your documentation in a clear, easy-to-follow manner.

Final considerations

The core goal of this exercise is to create a transparent, verifiable record of your client’s search efforts. Judges are looking for consistent and genuine effort. By providing a detailed log and backing it up with documentation, you leave little room for doubt about your client’s diligence.