So in the past, there’s been a few instances of discussing personal scheduling, planning things out, and getting yourself organized. But this week’s question is actually about other people’s schedules. Whaaaaaat?
Dear Andrew,
I’m working part-time, but looking for something more. I’ve been sending out applications, and I noticed that I get more responses on some days than others. Does my timing matter?
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: Yes, your timing does matter. At least, it would make sense that it does.
Look at it this way: If you’re sending in an email, you hope that someone will read it (unless you send mass mailings or are just weird). And assuming that the human resources person works Monday through Friday from 9 to 5, it would stand to reason that the person who will receive your application will read it during those hours (adjusted for time zones, of course).
This doesn’t mean that 9-5 on a M-F schedule is the best time.
Weekends will obviously be bad, because your application will move lower and lower down the inbox list. But you might have to think about your intended audience’s workday. On Monday morning, there might be morning meetings, work to catch up on from the weekend and so on. So maybe they won’t REALLY be looking at new applications until around 11 AM or so. And Friday? Do you honestly know anyone who works in an office that works in an office after 3:30 in the afternoon?
So plan accordingly. Think of when the hiring manager would be trying to look over applications. And send yours in then. But if it’s a choice between sending the application in at 4 PM on a Friday or waiting till Monday, send it in on Friday. After all, you’re making some assumptions about how the hiring manager works.
And hey, they might have a weird email thingy that magically draws attention to your application!
