A successful job search today takes a bit of hustle and a strategic approach. With your resume facing tons of competition for each position, even a slight edge could help you land that interview. It’s a question we hear very often: when is the best time to apply for jobs?
Surprisingly, submitting your job application on a certain day and at a particular time can help your chances of landing the interview. After all, you don’t want to catch hiring managers or recruiters when they’re swamped with emails or after they’ve reviewed many other candidates.
In this post, we’ll show you the best possible day and time to submit your resume to get a response. In addition, we’ll provide some other tips that you can use to help your resume stand out from the crowd and increase the chances that you land an interview offer.
Why it matters
When it comes to the job search process, timing can be everything. Sure, you can have all the right qualifications and a host of recommendations proclaiming you to be the best thing since sliced bread. In the end, though, none of that will mean all that much if you submit your resume at the wrong time.
So, what does that mean?
Which day of the week is best to apply for a job?
Should you apply for a job at night or in the morning?
When is the best time to apply for jobs?
As it turns out, there are right and wrong answers to these questions. Research has shown that there is value in submitting your resume on certain days of the week and at certain times of the day. Remember, the goal is to submit your resume on the right day and time to maximize its chances of getting noticed and considered by decision-makers. With that in mind, let’s examine the options to give you a better idea of the best time to apply for jobs.
What day of the week should you submit your resume?
Most experts seem to agree that the best days of the week to submit your resume are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The question is: why?
By sending your email on these days, you can avoid being part of the pile of emails that have amassed over the weekend. In addition, you can avoid that Friday rush many hiring managers face as they try to clear their desks before the weekend. Even though most companies are using an ATS to organize resume submissions, the person in charge of hiring may get an email when a new resume is submitted.
Is submitting your resume on another day of the week bad?
There is nothing inherently bad about sending your resume on Monday or Friday, but a simple look at the workweek of your average hiring manager provides clues to help us better understand why the Tuesday to Thursday range is optimal.
Monday:
Hiring managers and recruiters are usually swamped with emails on a Monday. As they catch up on all the weekend emails and try to clear out their inbox, it may be difficult for your resume submission to capture their attention. You also should consider the “Monday blues”–yes, it’s true, most people aren’t the happiest or most productive at the start of the workweek. That may be why Monday is reportedly the most popular day for employees to call in sick.
Friday or weekends:
You also don’t want to send your email on Friday as hiring managers finish last-minute tasks and prepare for the weekend. You don’t want your resume to end up in that dreaded pile of weekend emails. There are really two possible bad outcomes in that situation: your resume submission gets lost in the shuffle along with all that other late-week email, or your email notification—and name—pop up on that hiring manager’s phone while they’re trying to relax on their time away from the office. Neither are good options.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday:
During the middle of the week, hiring managers are more likely to have time to read incoming emails and resume submissions. With that in mind, it makes sense that Tuesday to Thursday may be the optimal time to send your email. This gets your email past the Monday pile and gives the recruiter or hiring manager time to analyze your resume and handle your application before the next weekend.
OptinMonster has a more comprehensive post that looks at Hubspot and additional studies about emails, open rate, and engagement rate. It’s geared toward marketers and newsletters, but much of the advice is good for the individual job seeker as well.
Still, it is also important to recognize that different studies have provided differing answers to these questions. Some of that research suggests that Monday can be a great time to get your resume submitted, preferably as early in the day as possible. In those studies, Tuesday usually comes in as the second-best time to apply for jobs.
What if I’m not submitting my resume by email?
If you’re applying to a job through a job board or through an online job portal, you’re likely applying through a system that will rely on an applicant tracking system. More than 90% of big employers use an ATS of some sort to collect, track, and organize resumes.
In that case, timing is still a factor, but you should be more focused on optimizing your resume for the ATS. That way, hiring managers or recruiters will see your skills and experience and how well they align with a certain job.
What is the best time of day to send your resume?
The best time to send your resume is early morning or after 9 p.m. This ensures that the resume is seen by employers when they first check their emails. Sending it really early in the morning (before 9 a.m.) could be effective as it portrays determination. The hiring manager may take notice that you’re up early in the morning working on your job search.
Some have said that sending in your resume around noon is effective, but there are some good reasons to avoid that option. The bulk of emails are usually checked before lunch, and the last thing you want to do is submit your resume after other qualified candidates. Hiring managers may have already reviewed possible candidates and invited them for an interview.
You want to come off as considerate and respectful, so never send in your resume during holidays or long weekends. This could annoy the hiring manager, and that’s the last thing you want to do!
When it doesn’t matter what day or time you submit your resume
The advice in this article is really useful when you email the hiring manager or recruiter directly. As we mentioned before, when you apply for a job online, it usually goes through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
These automated resume scanners are used by most companies to filter out candidates that don’t match well with the job duties or requirements. They may also send automated messages to inform hiring managers of your application at the time you submit it.
This advice is also useful if you’re sending a direct email after applying for a job.
Finally, never forget that these are just recommendations to help you optimize your job search by identifying the best time to apply for jobs. There are other important considerations that may require you to ignore this advice. For example, if you learn about a great job on Thursday, you probably won’t want to wait until the following Monday or Tuesday to apply. Obviously, you want to act fast to ensure that your resume is received before the interview schedule is set in stone!
Sending your resume and cover letter at the optimal time is useful, but you shouldn’t ignore other factors that are even more important—like ensuring that your resume has the right story to tell any potential employer. Once that resume is in the hands of a hiring manager, you want them to be impressed and invite you to an interview!
Expert Tip
In addition to applying to jobs online, you can also reach out to a company or a hiring manager directly. Read our guide to sending a cold email during the job search (with examples).
Summary
Knowing the best time to apply for jobs can be an important part of your job search but don’t forget other important factors. Keep track of the jobs you’ve applied for and follow up in an organized and timely way. Remember that today’s job search process requires a smart and strategic approach.
As always, good luck with your job search! We offer resume writing services that are guaranteed to land you more interviews. You can check our services page here.
Check how your resume performs on an ATS (applicant tracking system) scan with ZipJob's free resume review.
Recommended reading:
Written by
Ken Chase, Freelance Writer
During Ken's two decades as a freelance writer, he has covered everything from banking and fintech to business management and the entertainment industry. His true passion, however, has always been focused on helping others achieve their career goals with timely job search and interview advice or the occasional resume consultation. When he's not working, Ken can usually be found adventuring with family and friends or playing fetch with his demanding German Shepherd. Read more resume advice from Ken on ZipJob’s blog.
Land your next role with the help of our top-rated writing team.
