Are you getting tired of being ghosted by employers every time you send out applications? You do your research, carefully craft your resumé and maybe even optimize it for keywords, and still no calls; I feel your frustration. But perhaps you’re not sending in your application soon enough. It is a tough competition out there. On average, there are about 300 people applying to the same position on a weekly basis. It’s not enough to be qualified; you must also appear in the top submissions.

Ever heard of “Golden Hour”?

There is something called the “Golden Hour” when it comes to job applications. Experts agree that this is the first 96 hours after a job is posted. By posting your application within the first 4 days, talent works says you can boost your chances of getting interview calls by up to 8 times. What does this tell you? You have to send in your application as soon as possible. Because sometimes, slow and steady doesn’t quite cut it.

But this doesn’t mean you should immediately send your application the moment you see any opening. Ensure you do your research, know the company; their values, beliefs and principles. Then work on your application to be job specific. Remember, every position requires its own tailored application. That applies here too. But you must ensure you do all of these within hours, so that you can send your resume as soon as possible. You should mark your calendar if you need to.

Furthermore, it is best to send out your applications in the mornings or just after official lunch hours. This is when the employer has very little to do, and has no backlog of emails waiting for their attention. If there’s a different time zone, take note of that too. There are occasions when recruiters tend to extend their deadlines. When you see this, it means they haven’t gotten the candidate they’re looking for. You can take advantage of these rare occasions and send in late applications. Still, you should apply for those ASAP.