There are a lot of different things to consider when applying for jobs and considering when to apply is very important because timing is everything. Even though things are always changing and employers may be looking for staff at any point, research has been done to determine the most effective time of the year, time of the week and time of the day to apply for jobs:
Best Time of the Year
There is usually a spike in job postings in January but since it’s the beginning of the year many people are looking for new jobs and career changes, so the competition is very fierce. However, the months of February and March have less competition and a higher number of postings. December and August are the slowest months of the year and the best months are February, March, May, June, October and November. October is especially popular as businesses get ready for the upcoming holiday season.
Best Time of the Week
According to SmartRecruiter, most companies post jobs on Tuesdays around 11:00 am and that is also when the most applications are sent in. So, when applying for jobs try and send in your application as soon as possible after the job has been posted to avoid your application being buried beneath all the other applications.
Some other websites like Workopolis.com believe that Mondays are the best days to apply, with candidates having a higher chance of landing an interview. It does vary company by company, but the main takeaway is that you should apply earlier in the week rather than later. Saturdays were agreed upon as being the worst days of the week to apply.
Since recruiters do get so many applications sometimes, they will find the ideal candidate before even having looked through all possible applicants so the earlier you apply the better. The best time to apply is on Mondays or Tuesdays between 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Any applications sent after 4:00 pm have very little chance of leading to a call-back.
Best Time to Follow Up
If you have just sent in an application to an employer and are waiting for the initial reply it is best to follow up between 5-10 days later. This way you are giving the employer enough time to review your application but not enough to forget about you. You can follow up through email or a phone call, but email is usually preferred.
If you just had a phone or in-person interview you should follow up the same day or the next day at the latest. You would want to get in touch with the interviewer to thank them for their time and emphasize your interest in the company, as well as let them know that you look forward to speaking with them soon.
Always remember to not send more than 1-2 follow-up emails or phone calls because you do not want to come across as someone who does not value the hiring manager’s time.
A change as simple as when you apply can lead you to more interviews & call-backs and keep you ahead of your competition!
