Timing your job applications can make a difference! Research and recruiter insights suggest that some days of the week are more effective for getting noticed by employers.
Monday applications tend to get the highest response rates, according to a study by Bright.com (now part of ThinkWhy). They found that: 30% of job seekers who applied on Monday received an interview. This dropped to just 14% by Saturday. Tuesday also performs well and is often close to Monday in effectiveness. Some speculate that hiring managers are more focused and refreshed earlier in the week, and thus more likely to review applications thoughtfully.
These are neutral to slightly less effective than Monday/Tuesday. Hiring managers may already be bogged down with the week’s tasks, making it less likely your application will stand out.
Friday tends to have lower response rates because: Hiring teams are often wrapping up the week or mentally checking out. Applications may get lost in the shuffle or buried under newer ones on Monday. Saturday and Sunday applications are the least effective, likely because: Few recruiters work weekends. Your application will be lower in the inbox queue by Monday morning.
Early morning (around 6–10 a.m.) applications tend to perform better. Tailored applications submitted earlier in the posting’s lifecycle outperform generic ones submitted later. Following up mid-week (Wednesday/Thursday) if you’ve applied earlier can also be effective.