Every week, we see the same pattern:
messages sent on Friday night or Saturday night, followed by reminders on Saturday or Sunday morning because there’s been no reply.
The same happens during the holidays — messages on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, then follow-ups on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
It’s important to understand how recruitment works and when recruiters are actually available.
When recruiters are most active
Recruiters generally work Monday to Friday, during standard business hours.
This is when CVs are reviewed, interviews are scheduled, and responses are sent.
Best times to send your CV or message:
- Monday to Thursday
- During daytime working hours
Messages sent at these times are far more likely to be read promptly and answered.
When you should not expect a reply
You should not expect an answer:
- Late at night
- On weekends
- On public holidays
- On Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, or similar holidays
Recruiters are people too. They are entitled to time off, and they are not required to monitor messages outside working hours.
Respecting professional boundaries
Please avoid:
- Sending WhatsApp messages late at night
- Contacting recruiters repeatedly on weekends
- Following up within hours, especially outside working time
If you don’t receive an immediate reply, that does not mean you are being ignored.
Trust that recruiters will come back to you during working hours if your profile matches current needs.
Following up again on a weekend or holiday is not helpful — recruiters are unlikely to see it, and it does not speed up the process.
A final word
Recruitment is a professional process.
Respecting time, boundaries, and working hours reflects positively on you as a candidate.
Send your CV at the right time, be patient, and allow recruiters to do their job — they will get back to you when they’re working.
