I once worked with a client, we’ll call him Marcus, who was perfect for a role. On paper, in personality, in experience… slam dunk.
He applied within 48 hours of the job posting.
He never heard back.
A week later, he saw the role reposted with “We are no longer accepting applications” quietly added to the bottom. Curious and understandably annoyed, he reached out to a recruiter he knew.
The recruiter’s response?
“We had over 300 applicants in the first 24 hours. We only reviewed the first 80.”
Oof.
Marcus didn’t lose because he wasn’t qualified.
He lost because he wasn’t early.
Why Being Early Isn’t Optional Anymore
Let’s be honest about today’s job market.
Applying online is a bit like tossing your resume into a stadium and hoping someone picks it up.
And as I’ve said before, even when you’re doing everything right, “submitting resumes online has much to do with luck and fate.”
But here’s where you can tilt the odds in your favor:
👉 Timing is one of the few factors you can control.
What happens when you apply early:
- You’re seen before recruiter fatigue sets in
- You’re evaluated before internal candidates emerge
- You avoid being buried under hundreds or thousands of applicants
- You increase your odds of getting a human review
Many companies don’t review all applicants. They review enough applicants.
Your goal is to be in that group.
The Goal: Be in the First Wave
Think of job postings like concert tickets.
The people refreshing the page and jumping in immediately get the best seats.
Everyone else?
Nosebleeds… or nothing.
Strategy #1: Set Job Alerts (But Do It Right)
Everyone says to set job alerts.
Few people do it strategically.
How to execute:
1. Use multiple platforms
- Indeed
- Company career pages. This one is huge.
- Niche industry job boards
2. Get specific, not broad
Bad alert: “Marketing jobs”
Better alert: “Product Marketing Manager SaaS remote”
3. Turn on real-time notifications
- Not daily digests
- Not weekly summaries
- You want alerts the moment a job is posted
4. Create a dedicated email folder or filter
- Label: “Job Alerts”
- Check it 2 to 3 times per day like it’s your job, because right now it kind of is
Strategy #2: Build a “Ready-to-Apply” System
If you’re seeing the job first but taking 2 days to apply, you’re still late.
Remember, tenacity and planning create momentum
How to execute:
1. Create 2 to 3 core resumes
As I often recommend:
- One for each target role type
- Pre-optimized with keywords
2. Keep a “customization bank”
- Key achievements
- Metrics
- Project highlights
So when a job pops up, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re assembling.
3. Set a 30-minute rule
From alert to application submitted within 30 minutes when possible
Perfection is the enemy here.
Speed plus relevance wins.
Strategy #3: Follow Target Companies Like a Hawk
Here’s where most job seekers miss a massive opportunity.
Instead of waiting for job boards, go straight to the source.
How to execute:
1. Make a target company list with 20 to 30 companies
Think about:
- Culture
- Industry
- Growth stage
2. Check their careers page regularly
Yes, manually.
Why?
Because:
- Jobs often appear there before job boards
- They may get fewer applicants from that channel
3. Follow them on LinkedIn
- Engage with posts
- Watch for hiring announcements
- Sometimes roles are hinted at before posting
Strategy #4: Use “Pre-Networking” to Get Ahead
This is where early applicants turn into insider applicants.
As I often tell clients, “Even if you’re not a ‘networker,’ it’s time to become one.”
How to execute:
1. Identify people at your target companies
- Hiring managers
- Team members
- Recruiters
2. Engage before the job is posted
Comment thoughtfully. Add value. Be visible.
3. Start conversations without asking for a job
Take a page from my “provide value” philosophy:
- Share an article
- Ask a smart question
- Reference their work
This way, when the job posts, you are not a stranger.
You are familiar.
Strategy #5: Stack the Odds (Fit In, Then Stand Out)
Here’s a truth most people don’t want to hear:
Applying early is not enough.
Applying well is not enough.
You need both.
As I’ve said before, first fit in, then stand out.
Your execution checklist:
- Apply quickly
- Tailor your resume
- Follow up with a message
- Demonstrate value
The Big Mindset Shift
Stop thinking:
“I’ll apply later tonight.”
Start thinking:
“If I don’t apply now, I might already be out.”
Because in many cases, you are.
Bringing It Full Circle
Marcus learned this lesson the hard way.
But once he shifted his approach, alerts on, resumes ready, applying within the hour, his response rate changed dramatically.
Not because he became more qualified.
But because he became more visible.
And in today’s job market, visibility is everything.
Need Help Getting Ahead of the Crowd?
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re always one step behind, let’s fix that.
I help job seekers:
- Build ready-to-go resumes
- Create smart job search systems
- Position themselves to get noticed early and effectively
👉 Visit https://kyladuffy.com to learn more or reach out for 1:1 support.
You don’t need to be lucky.
You just need to be early, and ready when it counts.
