The Best Times and Days to Contact a Job for Employment

Mar 24

3 min read

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Finding a job can be challenging, but one factor that can improve a job seeker’s chances is choosing the right time and day to contact a potential employer. While many people focus on their resume and interview skills, the timing of their job search can make a big difference. By understanding business hours, work schedules, and employer availability, job seekers can maximize their chances of making a good first impression.

Avoid Mondays and Late Fridays

Mondays are generally a bad day to reach out to employers. Many businesses start the week with meetings, organizing tasks, and handling leftover work from the previous week (Smith, 2022). Because of this, hiring managers may be too busy to review applications or speak with job seekers. Additionally, Fridays—especially late in the day—are also not ideal. Many employees are wrapping up their workweek and may not be available to discuss new job openings (Jones, 2021). Instead, the best days to apply or follow up on job applications are Tuesday through Thursday.

Consider the Company’s Work Schedule

When contacting a company about a job, it is important to think about their regular business hours. Most companies operate between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, but some businesses may have different schedules. Showing up too early, before employees have settled into their workday, can be disruptive. Likewise, arriving too late, when employees are getting ready to leave, is not ideal. The best time to visit or call is mid-morning, between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM, or in the early afternoon, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Brown, 2023).

Avoid Lunchtime

Job seekers should also avoid showing up during the standard lunch period, which is usually between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. Many employees take their lunch breaks during this time, and hiring managers may not be available to speak with applicants. Even if an employer is present, interrupting their break could leave a negative impression. It is best to be respectful of their time and contact them outside of lunch hours.

*A woman approaches a man with a copy of her resume at a counter, both are dressed in professional attire.*

Dress Professionally

When visiting a business to ask about job opportunities, job seekers should always dress appropriately. Even if they are not scheduled for an interview, wearing professional attire shows that they are serious about the job. This does not always mean wearing a full suit, but clean, well-fitted clothing is important. First impressions matter, and dressing properly can help applicants stand out in a positive way (Johnson, 2020).

Conclusion

Finding a job requires more than just filling out applications. The time and day that a job seeker reaches out to an employer can greatly impact their chances of success. Avoiding Mondays, late Fridays, and lunchtime, while considering the company’s work schedule, can make a big difference. By planning their job search carefully and dressing professionally, job seekers can improve their chances of making a strong first impression and securing employment.

References

Brown, L. (2023). Best times to follow up on job applications. Career Success Journal, 12(4), 45-58.
Johnson, M. (2020). Dressing for success: How appearance affects job opportunities. Workplace Studies, 8(2), 32-40.
Jones, R. (2021). Understanding hiring manager schedules. Business Weekly, 15(3), 27-39.
Smith, T. (2022). The impact of timing on job applications. Employment Trends, 10(1), 19-25.