Gem Care Advisor

Our insights and tips for job seekers and employers.

Timing and Your Job Search: Why It’s So Important

You stumble across that perfect position. You meet every qualification, as per job requisite. You click apply, submit your resume, but never hear back one way or another. Were you even considered for this position? Did anyone also get the chance to see your resume? Why are they still seeking applicants three weeks down the road? 

As candidates, we are often oblivious to the unspoken guidelines for surefire success during the resume submission process. Most candidates are unsure when they should apply or when the time is ripe to begin the job search. Yes, there is a right time, and it’s not necessarily when you think. 

Let‘s explore just when that ‘right’ time might be. By using these guidelines, you’re likely to see an increased call-to-interview right away. 

Why is timing so important? 

When it comes to applying for jobs, timing can be everything. Paying particular attention to the time of day, the day of the week and even the season may dramatically increase your chances of being seen by those who matter most. 

Equally as necessary, the time of day that you search and the time it takes you to apply for that job may also contribute to your chances of getting a callback, regardless of the number of applicants that apply for the same position that you are. 

According to Glassdoor, for every job that you apply, so will an average of 250 others. 

  • Within one week, 60% of all candidates will have applied to this specific job posting. · Only 10% will be seen, thanks to the magic of applicant tracking systems (ATS engines).
  • Only 2% will be invited to interview.

Think of this as a pile on top of the hiring managers desk. He or she will start from the top of that pile, and as new applications pour in, your resume becomes simply the luck of the draw. 

New opportunities are always being created. People leave, and new positions are still opening upIn these cases, a hiring manager may take their time selecting the best candidate for that position. The hiring manager put it off for a short while to save the company costs associated with unnecessary manpower at that time. 

In today’s corporate climate, you also must assume that duplicate positions are being paired down. While there may be a job posted to a corporate website, this doesn’t always mean you stand a chance of being hired. For the many jobs that are being replaced, only one position will remain. You will be competing against individuals who have already shown promise and commitment to the company that you are applying to. 

Likewise, applying for specific positions with specific companies means starting your search as early as six months into the future and cultivating relationships from within that particular organization. 

The Best Time of the Year to Apply for Jobs? 

While the first half of January tends to be slower than the second half of the month, it is still considered one of the best times to apply for jobs, especially when paired with February. Higher budgets are in place. Decision-makers are returning to work, refreshed after a long holiday vacation. And, companies are ready to take their business to the next level, confident that strategies are in place and that the markets are stable enough to do so currently. 

According to Monster.com, you should apply to as many jobs as possible during the first quarter, while you might want to hold off applying during the fourth. December is the slowest month for hiring, followed by August and an extremely slow summer, which only proves to be fruitful for those applying as educators or faculty members at a school. 

During the fourth quarter, budgets are much lower. Business planning is taking place for the following year and decision-makers are easily distracted with thoughts of vacation in the upcoming weeks ahead. Your chances of being seen, let alone brought into the company are pretty much “slim-to-none.” You can apply, but it is likely your application won’t be seen. 

Spring is an excellent time for entry-level candidates, as companies are looking for recent graduates to mold into greatness. 

The best day of the week to apply for the position of your dreams. 

The magic time to apply for jobs is on Tuesday between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, regardless of the time zone. Tuesday is also the day that businesses tend to be more aggressive with their hiring and recruitment. Mondays and Fridays are spent playing catch-up and on follow-ups, while Wednesdays and Thursdays are reserved for screening, vetting and interviewing new candidates. 

Most people will check their emails and be ready to apply to open job postings by 2:00 pm. It is recommended that you use your lunch break to apply before the first rush of submissions and to be noticed by recruiters earlier in the process. Waiting too long and applying on the weekend may be counterproductive, and the worst time to apply for a job was found to be around 7:30 pm – when the invitation to interview tends to drop below 3%! 

Preparing your resume. 

Make sure your skills match the job in which you are applying. Most jobs require an applicant to meet at least 75% of the requirements to be called in for an interview. Preparing a long-form resume ahead of time, and eliminating bullets unrelated to the job search, will allow you to apply quickly and help you beat out the rush. On the contrary, by adding new bullets before submission, you are adding additional time to the entire process. 

It’s good to know what types of jobs you will be applying and the ideal companies that you wish to work for before beginning your job search. Be open, patient, and flexible during your journey. 

A bit of false hope. 

The downfall comes when a position has already been filled, but regulations require that a job posting is published online to delude sentiments of favoritism or unethical hiring standards. This sounds like a double-edged sword since the company has already hired someone, they are required by law to post a job listing acknowledging that position in full disclosure. They are still required to interview for that position and follow-up with candidates to make sure there is no one else, who could otherwise replace the recently hired. 

GEM CARE TAKES THE GUESSWORK OUT OF THE HIRING PROCESS 

We receive specialized job postings daily – many of which are unlisted and unopen to the public. Our clients trust us to matchmake them with the perfect candidate, and this could just be you! Check out our current job listings or contact us directly to be considered for immediate placement. 

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