Laravel 5 query builder and NOW() for date comparison

My database (MySQL) has a timestamp field for created_at.

I have two entries, with the timestamps as follows:

• 2017-12-12 18:25:00
• 2016-10-02 18:00:00

Today is 2016-10-19 (for future reference). If I use the following query, I get no results:

    $job = $jobs->where('closing_at', '>=', 'NOW()')
            ->orderBy($sorter[0], $sorter[1])->paginate(24);

If I hardcode the date, I get the correct results, just the one future date:

    $job = $jobs->where('closing_at', '>=', "2016-10-19 00:00:00")
            ->orderBy($sorter[0], $sorter[1])->paginate(24);

I'm assuming my error is in the use of NOW() with the Eloquent query builder but I can't figure out the correct way to use this is.

via Chebli Mohamed