Almost all job ads you see will have an end date on them, and others will say, “Open until filled.” The latter type of job advertisement needs a response right away for obvious reasons. If you choose to delay sending in your application, you might find that you are too late and have lost out on a great opportunity.
The former type of end-dated job advertisement needs to be applied to as soon as possible as well. Though a school may say that the deadline for applications is at Noon on Friday, October 9, 20xx, no law prevents them from closing the competition sooner.
Though the word “competition” may seem kind of harsh, that is exactly what it is – a competition. The posting will help you create a targeted resume. The sooner you send in your resume, the better. If a school has received a specific number of applications before the closing date, they may wish to pull the ad and turn away other potential candidates.
Furthermore, by submitting your resume in a timely fashion and not waiting until the last minute, you convey your enthusiasm for the position, organization skills (i.e., already having your resume/application package ready), punctuality, and other qualities that matter.
The application process may be lengthy. Start responding to a job ad online on the school’s website and realize you need to do more than submit a resume. There are methods to help you find the right teaching job easier and with less stress.
Since you chose to respond to the advertisement immediately, you have left yourself enough time to locate additional documents, request a driver’s abstract or criminal record check if necessary, and research the organization’s goals and philosophy.
Another reason to promptly respond to a job posting is that some schools contact you as soon as they read your resume to schedule an interview. They may not wait for the closing date. If this is the case, you are given a greater opportunity to research the school as mentioned above and practice for your upcoming interview.
Moreover, if the job posting is fresh in your head, you are more likely to maintain a high level of enthusiasm. If you choose to mull it over for a few days, you may start having doubts, lack the energy to apply, or forget about it altogether.
Applying to one position can spark an interest in applying for others. Even though the X position may be more desired than the Y position, it is a productive and proactive idea to apply for more than one job; your first choice does not pan out.
If you do find you have spontaneously replied to a job posting and are later regretting it, you can always pull your application or turn down an interview. Just because you have applied does not mean you have to take the job. It’s definitely better to respond too early than too late. Always keep track of your job search process to eliminate mistakes and follow up when appropriate.
