To apply for a job the day before the closing date

[WildPineapple]

I’m applying for a job and the closing date is tomorrow. Chatting to DH and he thinks that applying the day before the closing date shows a lack of enthusiasm for the job and that in a lot of cases they close the post early due to having enough applicants. I’m freaking out now!

I also applied recently for another position and DH said I made zero effort with the application as I didn’t phone the company to discuss the position? He said it looks bad if you don’t check in before sending in your application and it might look like you are not that bothered? I made a huge effort with that application but didn’t phone the company to ask questions?

I do occasional interviews at my work place, the date the application was submitted holds no relevance to your application as long as it was in before the deadline (we don't even look at it, in fact I don't think we can). The only thing I would say is we hold the right to close applications early if there has been a lot of interest (which we've never had to do). Also we don't favour this who have ring about the job, it's purely on application.

I pay no attention to the date submitted as long as it’s on before the vacancy closes!

Ignore him..

Both are absolutely fine. I missed the deadline and still got an interview. I didn’t get the job I applied for but I’m starting with them shortly doing something else! Ignore your DH and ask why he is undermining your confidence!

i’m a recruiter. I don’t care at all if you apply first or close to the deadline. Just be careful they don’t pull it ahead of the deadline though, it isn’t uncommon

I’ve had candidates call me whilst making a job application before and I’ve nearly always discounted them thinking they’re pushy and likely a nightmare to work with. Very rarely do they have a genuine question, usually it’s a tactic to get on the hiring managers radar… and for me it isn’t in a good way.

Ignore him, he seems like he’s trying to dissuade you which doesn’t feel very supportive or encouraging. I’ve never called the company I’m applying to with questions, and I’ve submitted applications up to the deadline and had interviews/offere.
At the place I’m at now the applications are sorted through after the closing date and they apply a points based system to them (and again at interview), none of the points come from prior phone calls or time and date of submission!
That said I have heard that deadlines may be brought forwards if sufficient applications have already been received.

If it’s open, it’s open. The last job I applied for (internal one) I had to ask the recruiter to reopen because I thought the deadline was Friday but apparently that meant they closed it at midnight on Thursday 🤷‍♀️ Just had my interview and waiting see if I get a 2nd. Glad you’re going for it. Good luck!

Sorry meant to add, I wouldn’t phone a recruiting organisation before applying, save your questions for your interview.

No problem, I once applied for a job 2 hours before applications closed & I got the interview and then the job!

An employer wants all the applicants they can get so they have a good choice.

Good luck.

I’ve worked in HR for years and currently head of resourcing for a large bank. Couldn’t give a flying fuck when you applied, don’t even check. Also DO NOT ring the company to ask about the job - do your own research. You’d get a black mark from me if you rang to discuss the job. If you are suitable skill / experience wise you will be invited for interview where it’s a more appropriate time to ask more about the role if necessary.

Totally different type of recruitment - they will resource most their staff internally / from other hospitals etc.

That doesn’t ring true for the public sector, or at least not in the local authority I work in. Wouldn’t be allowed to close early as it would not be giving equal opportunity to all applicants. What if a really skilled person was working hard on honing their application before they sent it in on the deadline day? Generally if there is an internal candidate who has a good chance they put a short closing date on but never known them to allow closing early and I’ve been involved a lot in recruiting new staff. I didn’t realise the ‘ring for an informal chat’ was considered the done thing until being involved in recruiting staff. It was noted when applicants hadn’t but I’ve never done it before and moved between various positions in the same council. I’m ND and didn’t see the point if I knew I wanted to apply. I assumed it was just for people who needed more info.

Your DH is talking shit

Just to add where I work the roles can’t be short listed until after the deadline so even if there were enough applicants we couldn’t shortlist yet anyway! We can see the applications that are in but can’t do anything with them.

I tend to agree with this - unless it is a question related to disability or reasonable adjustments or other genuine question - the people who do this often use it to force a mini phone interview and then metaphorically shot themselves in the foot.

I had one call for a junior position and the only thing they asked was about what could they do other than the advertised job itself. They mostly spent 10mins talking about their very senior level but largely irrelevant experience in a different sector. No interest in the actual job itself or what it entailed, and, at the end, a strange implication that we should be grateful that they're going to apply.

The phone call advice is bananas so be cautious about everything else he tells you.
The quickest applicants are those who send identical CVs and cover letters to every job and they aren’t the best.
I have seen jobs in my field close early so I don’t waste time if I see one I’m really interested in, but I do always take the time I need to make a good, tailored application.
I once wrote (politely and not being pushy at all) to HR because I saw the advert after the deadline and got the job, but probably some places couldn’t be this flexible.

Yes, some jobs close early but as long as you accept that is a risk, fair enough (and clearly if the job is still open, it's all fine).
Nobody realistically uses submission date of application as a screening criteria (and if they did, you probably would not want to work for them)

I also wouldn't worry about not having had a chat over the phone in advance.

My husband applied a job with 3 minutes to spare once, got an interview, and got the job. Unless they've already got a strong enough field and arranged interviews, you're totally in with a shot. I'd even apply after the deadline to be honest, if I found out about the job too late. You never know!

Yes NHS jobs often close earlier as they can set to close at 40 applications or whatever number they choose in the NHS jobs system.

@Scrimblescromble It is actually true and written in NHS employment policy.

DD did this last year. Was concerned she would t stand a chance for promotion so delayed applying, then finally the day before pulled out all the stops on a complex application. Sent it literally at five to midnight. And got the job ta dah!