The best (and worst) days to apply for a job
I heard a discussion on the radio this morning, and they were talking about the best day of the week to apply for a job. According to the DJs, it’s Tuesday, and they’re not alone in thinking this.
A new study out this month by Bright.com compared the timing and the success rates of job applications. It turns out that Tuesday is actually the most common day of the week that people choose to apply for new jobs. However, it’s not the most successful day to apply.
The Bright study defines a successful application as one that moves the candidate further along the hiring process – usually by securing an interview. While at 37% of job seekers, most people apply for jobs on Tuesdays, this group has only a 20% success rate.
Saturday turns out to be the worst day to apply for a job, with only a 14% success rate for candidates. So it’s fortunate that only 5% of people apply for jobs on Saturdays.
The most successful day to apply for a job? It turns out that (somewhat predictably) it’s Monday. 30% of candidates who applied for jobs on a Monday made it through to the next round of the hiring process.
This is likely because Monday resumes are on top of the pile when hiring managers start their work week and so get read first. The fact that the candidate didn’t wait that extra day can also indicate that they are more motivated and enthusiastic about the job.
So the next time you have the ‘Monday blues’ at work and find that job opportunity that you think might take your career in a more positive direction, don’t hesitate, don’t sleep on it. Keep your resume up to date so that you’re ready to apply that very Monday. You could have a 10% higher chance of landing an interview.
Oh, and if you can – schedule that interview for the morning. A recent Harvard study found that interviewers tend to rate the first people they speak with higher than those they meet with later. So if you can meet with your potential employer first thing in the morning when they’re fresh, you’ll tend to make a more lasting, positive impression.
