Originally shared via email. For early access to UN job search success tips and advice, subscribe to the newsletter here.

Quick scoop if you're short on time today: submitting your application last minute won't affect your chances.

If you've got a moment, read on for a bit of background info and why you might want to consider acting early anyway.

Lucy asked (in essence):

Does it matter when I send in my application? If I thrive under pressure and often hit 'send' at the eleventh hour, could this affect my chances?

In a nutshell: Nope, it doesn't matter.

Here’s why:

Like much of recruitment in the UN, the duration of job postings is regulated, and most are open for at least two weeks, hoping to attract as many fabulous candidates as possible - also those deadline dancers!

While your submission timestamp is registered somewhere, it's not a spotlight detail for recruiters or hiring managers. Make the deadline, and you're in the running.

Some initial screening against qualifications might start early, but the deeper candidate comparisons happen after the deadline.

However, a word to the wise: technology can be fickle, and time zone calculations tricky. An IT glitch or a time miscalculation could spell trouble. It's also good practice to work on your documents, let them rest a couple of days, and revisit them for final tweaks before you hit submit.

If you thrive with deadlines, consider setting a personal one a tad earlier, say 12 or 24 hours before, to avoid issues that are out of your control.

The most important thing: just keep sending those applications!