Conducting a job search during the summer months is still essential. As warmer weather approaches and children finish school, most professionals begin to plan their summer vacations.
Many offices and companies will be shorthanded for most of the summer months.
What exactly does this mean for your job hunt? If employers post jobs, it can take much longer for them to decide, making your job hunt take longer than usual. It also means fewer jobs may be posted during the summer, as employers tend to wait until September to post jobs if possible.
The Upside of Summer Job Hunting
It’s not time to get discouraged yet, though. There are plenty of potential upsides to job hunting during the summer months. The flipside of employers posting fewer jobs during summer is that the posted jobs are probably quite important.
Another vital point is that your job competition might make it more accessible during the summer. They might enjoy their vacations and not look as hard for jobs, leaving you with a significant advantage. Many job seekers assume that because decision-makers may be on vacation, there is no point in looking hard for jobs during this season. This mistake could decrease your competition, making your resume stand out more.
Try out a Seasonal Position.
Don’t count out seasonal work opportunities, either. The summer is a great time to pick up a seasonal job. It can give you employment until the fall and help keep your resume active during your job search. Also, gaining a seasonal position within a larger company may lead to a permanent position.
Getting a foot in the door through seasonal work can help you learn about other positions within the company as they become available. It also gives you the chance to showcase your work ethic and skills so that the company decides to hire you full-time.
Seasonal work can also help to increase your professional network. During the summer, your networking can pay off. Although more people are vacationing this time of year, the people still around may be more available to you. This is because most offices experience a bit of a slowdown during the summer months. People who may have been too busy during the year may now have time to meet with you.
Take Advantage of Others’ Downtime.
Don’t make the mistake of cooling off your job search during the summer months. Instead, take advantage of the summer’s unique opportunities. Even though you may have to wait longer to hear about hiring decisions, being consistently on top of your job search when others may be lax will put you front and center when employers are ready to conduct interviews.
Need additional help? Reach out to Candace to learn more!