Wondering when to send in your CV?

Ritah, a journalist, had all her documents ready for the communications officer position advertised by a government ministry in one of the local newspapers.

She was, however, not sure when she should submit her application. Word around office was that many of her colleagues, some more senior than her, were vying for the same job. She knew that thousands had applied for the job, which required her to figure out a way to ensuring that her application would be considered.

She decided that she had to choose the time she delivered her application carefully. Like Rita, many job hunters wonder when to submit their documents to stand a chance of being considered for the job among many applicants. In today’s job market, you have to make sure that your application stands out from the pile because job searching can be long and demanding.

Agaba Tumusiime, a business consultant, says many people rush in to submit their papers without double checking to see if their documents have been properly tailored to the job advertised. “Tailor the application to fit the job for which you are applying. Revise your cover letter to fit the advert,” Tumusiime advises. “Remember that an employer will look at your cover letter for a few seconds, so keep it brief and easy to read.”

Tumusiime adds that one should not try to repeat what is already in the CV, but instead tell the employer how they meet the criteria mentioned in their advertisement. He notes that when job hunting, one has to have their CV ready and updated all the time such that when they see a job advert that they qualify for, they can immediately drop their documents at the mentioned place.

Harrison Kigundu, the human resource manager at Quality Chemicals, notes that it is best for one to submit their CV as soon as possible when a job is advertised. “The earlier you send your documents the better, especially if you do not know the hiring system of the organisation you are applying to,” says Kigundu. Most companies tend to check the CVs as they come in.

Kigundu adds that when looking into the CVs, hiring firms start by eliminating those that do not have the requirements as stated in the advert. He advises that it is best to send in your application in the morning when people are still fresh. “In the evening, people are tired and occupied with lots of other things and your CV may not be given adequate time.”

Kigundu says it is important to note somewhere the date and time you delivered your CV to ensure that you keep a record of your job applications. Tumusiime says many jobs are won and not got through CVs. He says while you apply for the job, it is important that you do some networking within the organisation and make them believe that you are the best person for the job.