Debunking the Summer Job Search Myth - 7 Truths
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Conventional wisdom is that summertime is an awful time to search for a job.
Not true.
While people take more vacation time than other times of the year, there are several reasons why it’s actually as good a time as any to maintain the momentum of your job search.
1. Summertime workloads can be lighter than others in some industries, providing a unique opportunity for job seekers. Professionals in certain fields may be more receptive to networking and informational interviews with reduced pressure and more time on their hands. It allows for more meaningful conversations and potentially building valuable relationships.
2. Gatherings (like pool parties, barbeques, and beach days) are terrific times for renewing connections and making new ones. These social settings provide an excellent opportunity to engage in conversations about career aspirations and potential job openings.
3. Companies may step up hiring. Companies are at the mid-year mark, a good point to assess their spending and revenues year-to-date. If a company realizes it has underspent its budget or has experienced unexpected revenue growth, it may be more inclined to invest in expanding its workforce. By actively job searching during this period, individuals can align themselves with potential hiring opportunities and position themselves as candidates who can help companies achieve their goals for the remainder of the year.
4. More professionals may be present in their offices or local areas. Business travel tends to slow down in the summer months. This reduced travel schedule opens up opportunities for networking meetings, lunch dates, or informal coffee chats. With fewer conflicting schedules and more availability, scheduling and meeting with individuals who can provide valuable insights or potential job leads becomes easier.
5. Working parents may have more time for networking. They may have more time to meet with job seekers outside their usual work hours since their home obligations may be lighter with school out of session, no school sports practices or games, etc.
6. Your summer travel plans may open doors to new relationships. You never know who you may be seated next to. Many jobs have been the result of a chance encounter on an airplane. Visiting friends and family may place you in different social situations than at home. That’s another plus for discovering networking opportunities.
7. Less competition. There is less competition during summer as some job seekers assume companies are not actively hiring. Many individuals put their job search on hold, giving proactive jobseekers an advantage. By continuing the search during the summer, jobseekers can capitalize on the reduced competition, increase their visibility, and potentially secure opportunities that others may have overlooked.
You should, of course, find time during the summer the enjoy yourself just like you’d do any time of the year. But don’t be lulled into thinking that you should slow your search since it’s clear that there are so many great reasons to keep it going at full throttle. Good luck!
I’d like to hear about you have taken advantage of the summer to build your network and advance your job search. Feel free to shoot me a message at any time at neil@danzgergroup.com. I respond to every email.
Do you or someone you know need help determining what kinds of roles and companies would be great work situations? Conducting an effective job search without endlessly applying online? I coach and advise people 1:1 and in live, online group classes. Learn more about my career coaching and sign up for a free 30-minute Career Solutions Call.