With the Memorial Day weekend in your rear view mirror and the July 4th holiday fast approaching, you may think it’s a good idea to take a summer vacation from your job search.
Think again. This is not the time to hit the brakes entirely.
Maybe you were recently laid off and, besides dealing with all the emotional upheaval, you’re worried that summer is the worst time of year to look for a new job.
So you’ve decide not to work too hard at it. You’ll lick your wounds for now and dive in this fall.
Or, maybe you’ve been job hunting for a while and figure you’re entitled to take a few weeks off, because no one hires in the summer anyway.
But, just as it happens every summer, companies ARE hiring now. They’re not putting the brakes on, so neither should you.
According to IT recruiter Ed Han:
“Business needs are driven by numerous factors, most of which don’t care what season it is.
Scheduling interviews is certainly harder during the summer, sure. I’ve been recruiting for coming up on a dozen years now, and yes, PTO (Paid Time Off) does make things a little harder. Slower.
But interviews are still being scheduled, and people are getting hired.
So why in heaven’s name would you ease up on your job search?
Actually: this might be the time to floor it!
If others are easing up, you going harder means less competition.
Just something to consider.
If looking for a job is a full-time job, then when you need a break, take it.
Just don’t go on a sabbatical, OK?”
Now is the time to get your foot in the door and make some connections, while others are out sunning and catching waves, climbing mountains, or visiting theme parks, and trying to forget about job search.
Competition is less intense. Fewer people will be jockeying to get the attention of hiring decision makers at your target companies. These key people will probably have more free time to speak with you because their staffs will be taking vacations and their schedules will be lighter.
What does summer executive job search look like?
Reach out to all kinds of people
Make those calls to employers, recruiters and other hiring decision makers. You’ll be surprised by how many are “in the office” and available most of the summer. They have jobs to fill and they’ll be sourcing good-fit candidates to slide into them.
Your network will probably be more available, too. This is the time to do some more relaxed in-person networking – playing golf, informal lunches on the patio, etc. People may have more time right now to accept such invitations.
And take the time to connect with them on LinkedIn and other social networks, too. If you’ve been struggling with social media, now could be the perfect time to learn how to best use them.
Pay special attention to LinkedIn. It’s the most important social network for job search and career. You need to stay active there, with a robust profile, just to keep pace with others like you competing for the same jobs.
But it’s okay to take a beat and step back from your job search
Although it may seem counterintuitive, stepping back can help you gain a fresh perspective.
Andrew Seaman, LinkedIn’s Editor at Large for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News, elaborates:
“Regardless of the time of year, you should periodically check in with where you’re heading — in your job search, in your career and in life. We sometimes go into auto-pilot mode early on in our careers and don’t stop to consider if we should keep moving in that direction.
Job seekers are especially prone to “auto-pilot syndrome,” as I call it — especially after a sudden job loss or when work is incredibly stressful. Insecurity around finances and benefits tend to make people run toward what they already know, like their last role or industry, because it feels safe.
A person shouldn’t feel obligated to change their trajectory, but job searches offer people the opportunity to ask whether they still want that type of role or career.”
He also advises doing the following to refresh your job search:
- Revisit your resume, cover letter(s), LinkedIn profile, and other job search materials. Make sure they’re in line with where you’re heading next.
- Show up at social gatherings for networking opportunities, and to rekindle and develop new relationships.
- Explore training programs to develop new skills and improve existing ones.
- Go outside. Step away from your computer to go for a walk, take part in your favorite hobby or just spend time binging the latest can’t-miss show on streaming.
And don’t forget . . .
Keep this important point in mind as you carve out time for job search:
It’s never too late to get your job search on the right track. Get up to speed with the following, if you haven’t already:
- Target specific companies that will be a mutual good fit and that meet your career goals.
- Research each one to learn more about them for networking, job interviews and your due diligence.
- Spend time defining your personal brand and writing the hard-hitting content you’ll need to make your resume, LinkedIn profile and other job search materials resonate with those target employers.
But it’s a good idea to relax and recharge a bit, too. Plan out goals for each day. Once you’ve met them, take the rest of the day off. And give yourself permission to take weekends off all summer long.
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