When to start applying for jobs?

[Katie781]

Hello, my funding for my PhD ends on the 31st March 2020. I am leaning towards applying for jobs in industry rather than postdocs.
I have a mortgage and bills that require me to gain employment immediately. I cannot afford to be out of work. As a result I am feeling anxious and am not sure when would be best to start applying for jobs? I was originally thinking around Christmas and wondered what people think?

I would start applying ASAP in case you struggle to get something.

certainly start exploring jobs / buffing up your CV etc now.

how close are you to being all written up? can you manage to submit early? Some jobs won't take you if you are still writing up, and trying to start a new full-time project while writing a thesis in the evenings is not a good position to be in.

You haven't said if you will finish your PhD by the time your funding ends. Agree with @parietal that some jobs won't countenance you unless you are entirely finished, and that working in a demanding new job while trying to finish a doctorate in your spare time is a recipe for disaster.

Does your university have a careers service? They should be able to advise and even help you meet potential employers.