If You Want to Land That Job Interview, Do NOT Meet the Application Deadline!

So...just how stupid does THAT title sound? Well, on the surface...pretty stupid, that’s for sure! But hear me out; there’s a message within that crazy statement.
Seriously, you never want to miss the deadline, but that’s not where I’m going with this. Most job postings will tell you what that deadline is. What I’m talking about is the common mistake most job applicants make...and it can cost them BIG TIME!

You see it at the end of almost every job posting that interests you. You get all excited because you’ve come across a job listing that matches your skills. You take note of the deadline for submitting your application or resume, then structure your time so you don’t miss the deadline when that app is due. Good plan...right? WRONG!

Let me tell you why, and what causes well-qualified candidates (such as yourself) to be excluded from the interview ‘call list’. The answer is very simple: You made it BY the deadline...and deadlines DON’T MATTER! (Sort of).

Here’s how this happens: The ‘deadline’ for turning in your application or resume is, let’s say, Friday at 5 pm. Most people are thinking, "Whew! I have the whole week to really fine tune my application or resume!” Unfortunately, most employers are not on the same page that you are about the deadline that they have established. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, you’ll remember that "...people go into business to make money!” Employers need to have staff on board a.s.a.p. so they CAN make money. If the deadline for submitting an application is two weeks, or even one week from the posting date, I can assure you that as soon as the employer finds a handful of very qualified prospects, they will have them in the interview chair now so they can move forward! That could be within the first day or two. So even if you have ‘made the deadline’, your resume or app may never even get into the employer’s hands.

It may vary among employers in the private sector, but what I have just told you is common practice. They can do whatever they want. Are there exceptions? Certainly. In the PUBLIC sector, such as State, City, County, Federal governments and School Districts...different rules usually apply. All applications get equal consideration if they make it in by the deadline. I am unaware of any public agency where this does not apply.

In summary: The minute you see or hear about that ideal job opening, get on it NOW! This is the perfect ‘You Snooze...You Lose” situation. I always recommend that job-seekers have a ‘master application’ close-at-hand so they can quickly copy that information to a new application and get it turned in quickly!

Happy Job Hunting!