The most important thing is to convince potential employers that you will have finished by the beginning of the next academic year. The same applicants often get several offers, but can accept only one, which leaves other places turning to their second and third choices. If you haven't applied, you can't be one of those they turn to. Each interview you get is a very uncertain prospect, with a low probability of success. Nevertheless, almost everyone eventually gets a job.
Success can turn on very little.
On the whole it was politics that brought them about, and the causes had nothing to do with me. In one case I eventually found out the job had been filled before I got there, but n one wanted to tell me. These are often inserted by one member of the committee, who will be ignored or overruled if you turn out to be the best. You almost always blow your first interview. So get it out of the way, and preferably do not have it at your favorite place if you have any control over timing.