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Are you taking a break from the job search and surrendering to the lazy days of summer? The conventional wisdom is that almost everyone is in vacation mode. Consequently, many postpone job searching until September.
Is this a mistake? Could you be missing opportunities if you take the summer off?
Job seekers say that they want to take the summer off. By the time the summer ends, job seekers who took the summer off will be competing against even more job seekers who have followed the same strategy. A fair number of job seekers think that recruiters and hiring managers are unavailable during the summer. Therefore, many believe it’s a waste of time to job search from June through August.
Few people take long vacations anymore, so for the corporate world it’s business as usual in the summer. It may take a little longer to get internal consensus on a hire because of staggered vacations, but why waste three months when you can move things forward during that time?” Summer time can offer advantages to job seekers. Sometimes, summer’s quieter pace gives hiring managers a bit more ‘brain space,’ so they are more attentive to employment applications.
Summer can be a prime hiring season for some employers. Many projects hit the ground running in the fall, and employers want new people in place.
5 Summers Job Search Tips
- Capitalize on seasonal events. Summer is a terrific time to network. There are festivals, barbeques, weddings and other gatherings that can be a perfect time to connect. Using personal and social gatherings to let people know you are looking is an excellent strategy.
- Don’t get discouraged. Summer vacations may make reaching the right people more challenging, but don’t use this as a reason to back off. Be patient and consistent, leave polite messages and continue due diligence. Keep in mind that receptionists and other gatekeepers take vacations, too. You might connect with that otherwise hard-to-reach hiring manager while your competitors are lolling around waiting until September.
- Keep a job search schedule. Yes, it’s summer, but don’t be lulled into laziness. Even if it is just an hour a day, put structure in place to keep you going.
- Build a network. Form a group of like-minded job seekers to keep your summer job search on track. Meet regularly to share information on who’s hiring. A job opportunity not right for you may be perfect for someone in your network, and vice versa .
- Take stock of your resume and skills. Summer is the perfect time to assess and update your resume and skills. Review your resume and add any new accomplishments or training. Also, brush up on any skills that may be lagging. Take a class or two in the summer.
When it comes to your job search, summer doesn’t have to mean slow. While that perfect swimsuit may remain elusive, you can use the summer months to find an ideal career fit. Your time and effort can reap big rewards and even land you a new job before autumn.
