The short answer is ASAP! If you’re interested in public interest but don’t see an organization you’re interested in listed on the OCI bid page, that doesn’t mean take your time in applying. While many places will have later deadlines, they often hire on a rolling basis–so if they find someone else awesome before your application is even in the pile, you’re out of luck. Have your cover letter and resume ready to go so that when you see a job that interests you, the first round of applying will be a breeze. This is particularly important because all public interest organizations/government entities don’t hire at the same time, meaning they don’t interview and give out offers at the same time. Having your applications in early makes it more likely that you’ll be able to consider any and all offers you have at the same time to make the best decision, not being stuck having to take a job because you haven’t heard back from another. Plus, the faster you get a great job, the faster you can relax!
