Whether you’re fed up with a micro-managing boss or want to change careers completely, there are plenty of reasons why you might be looking for a new job right now.
Work culture has changed beyond recognition since the pandemic, and Gen Z employees in particular are now looking for more from their employers – from hybrid working models to work accommodations.
But did you know that you could increase your chances of getting hired purely based on the day of the week you decide to apply?
No, the most strategic time isn’t bright and early on a Monday morning – and it’s certainly not the last thing to do on a Friday before clocking off.
Essentially, you’ve got the weekend to get your ducks in a row, because the best day of the week to apply for a job is actually Tuesday.
‘The day of the week that your application arrives on your interviewers’ desk can drastically improve – or worsen – your chances of securing an interview slot, and Tuesday is the most ideal day to apply,’ career and education expert Robbie Bryant from Open Study College says.
‘Mondays can be quite chaotic for planning and catching up on the weekend. Any later in the week and the application can be lost amongst pressing priorities. Go for Tuesday for some extra luck.’
But it’s not just about the day of the week: there are also tactics in the timing. And when it comes to firing off your CV and cover letter, the early bird catches the worm.
‘Most people work between the hours of 8am and 6pm, with a lot of shifts falling on the classic 9-5 schedule,’ Robbie continues.
‘With this in mind, getting your application in early is best. Submit your application at around 8:45am. Again, this will help to be at the top of the priority list for the day, not too early, not too late.’
While you might use the weekend to craft your application outside of work hours, you should never hit send on a Saturday or Sunday – you don’t want to set the wrong impression about work-life boundaries to someone that could potentially be your new manager.
‘Simply save your draft and set a reminder to hit send on Tuesday at 8:45am quickly,’ Robbie adds, noting that a ‘Saturday morning or Sunday evening email is not always welcomed.’
Employees are being forced back to the office — but where’s your boss?
The pandemic undoubtedly changed how we do our jobs, with lockdowns prompting a huge rise in remote and hybrid work.
It was a welcome shift for many, but in the years that have followed, companies have started to roll back on changes and get employees back into the office.
According to research from the ONS, just 14% of UK staff are fully remote in 2024, while 26% combine travelling in and working from home. This is compared to figures from 2020, when 46.6% of employees did at least part of their job from home.
However, despite talking the talk about the importance of in-office work, it seems bosses (at least for the most part) aren’t prepared to walk the walk.
A survey of more than 500 chief executives by the International Workplace Group found that 93% have personally adopted flexible working patterns, with only 7% working from a central office location five days a week.
After putting your hat in the ring, you’ll likely either sit back and relax or wait anxiously by the phone (or computer) for confirmation about the next stages. Once you do hear back, though, you shouldn’t waste time when it comes to responding – no umming and ahhing, to put it plainly.
Robbie explains: ‘Not only is there a proper day and time to apply for a job, but there is also a code of conduct when it comes to further emails, booking interviews or completing tasks.
‘The golden rule is to always respond to any email before the end of the day, even if it is to acknowledge you have received the email and will reply as soon as possible. This shows your potential employer that you are considerate and eager.’
Feeling empowered to get that application in? Go forth and prosper (at the right time, of course).
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