Two people can have the same résumé, same skills, and same experience—but if one applies when the job is posted and the other applies after 900 people, they are not playing the same game.

The job search has a timing problem.

People talk about qualifications, keywords, networking, résumés, referrals, and interviews.

All of that matters.

But timing matters too.

A lot more than people want to admit.

A job posted ten minutes ago is not the same opportunity as a job posted ten days ago.

The title may be the same. The company may be the same. The application form may be the same.…