Last Updated April 10, 2023.
Your Job Search Shouldn’t Take a Summer Vacation
The temps are heating up but now is not the time to cool off your job search. It is a common misconception that summer is a bad time to look for employment. While it can be tempting to take a break and have some fun in the sun, here are several reasons why it’s a good idea to keep up your job hunt momentum during June, July and August.
Companies are gearing up for Q4 and working on annual budgets
Many companies are ramping up for a busy fourth quarter so they may be looking to hire. Plus, they may have outstanding budget for the year and don’t want to lose funds that were allocated toward hiring. Businesses may also be working on their budgets for the next fiscal year. If those budgets call for new projects, they may want new hires trained and ready to go for January, which means they could be interviewing now.
Contract work may be available
Some companies hire long-term contract workers to fill in for people who are on extended summer vacations or sabbaticals. This type of work gives you a “foot in the door.” You’ll have a chance to make connections and showcase your expertise, which your employers may remember when they are looking to fill permanent positions.
Less competition
Since a lot of job seekers assume the summer is a bad time of year to look for a job, they stop searching. That means there’s less competition for those who do make the effort.
Tips for using summer to your job search advantage
Here are some of the ways you can turn those dog days of summer into job search success! Don’t miss these opportunities:
Network during summer social events
Summertime is filled with all types of social activities from street fairs to golf outings to weddings and college alumni events. Get out, have fun, and network! You never know who might be hiring or can put you in touch with someone who is.
Get your stuff in order
Hiring typically picks up in the fall, so if your resume and LinkedIn profile are not up to date, now is a great time to tackle those tasks. You can also use your downtime to increase your LinkedIn connections, research potential companies, and double check that all your personal social media profiles are private – many employers do check them! If you have time and money, you might want to take a class to strengthen your job skills.
Set up informational meetings
While some key decision-makers may be unavailable during the summer months, you can try to set up informal informational meetings with others in a company you’d like to target. Use LinkedIn or your personal contacts and connect with someone in an aspirational role, but keep in mind that people on an executive level will probably not have time to meet with you. Use your meeting as an opportunity to learn more about the industry, the company, and what upcoming opportunities may exist. Even if there are no job openings at that particular company, you may learn what you need to do to move forward in your job search.
Keep in mind that because so many people are on vacation, getting responses to resumes and scheduling interviews can be a challenge. Be patient. It may take longer to set up a meeting with a potential employer. Be confident and don’t get discouraged. Summer leads into the fall, which is one of the best times of year to look for a job as people start returning from their vacations and the hiring process picks up.
The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal or financial advice. You should consult with a financial professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs.
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