It’s been a hot summer here in the northeastern U.S. The worst of the heat is over for now but it’s still summer. If you are a job-seeker, you probably heard that it’s a slow time of year to change jobs and look for a new one, and in general that’s true. Though hiring happens year-round, many decision-makers are away in the summer and the process typically slows down.
Most people realize that, and many of them don’t even think of job hunting when the warm weather comes around. That’s understandable, and really it’s a good time to do other things and focus on yourself and your family. Keeping some sense of balance in your life is crucial for many reasons, and this is a good time of the year to enjoy life and take it easy, if you can.
Even though you might not be thinking job search, the summer is a great time of the year to do a little career reflection and planning, and to get things in order so you can hit the ground running when you kick it into high gear.
So, what are some things that you can do while you take a little break from the job search? Here are some ideas.
Update your Resume
When was the last time you took a look at your resume? Is it up to date with the most recent roles and skills? Does it include accomplishments in addition to just a list of the things that you did? If not, this is a good time to look back and think about the impacts that you had on what you do, and see if you can quantify any of them. Potential employers want to see not just what you did but how well you did it so take some time and make a list of measurable accomplishments.
While you are at it, think about the skills that you possess and if you should add new ones, or update the ones you already have. Do you know which skills are hot these days? If so, and if you don’t have them, take a free or low-cost class or webinar, or some type of training and add it to your resume. You don’t need to be an expert to show that you know how to use a certain software tool or apply a certain process improvement strategy.
If you don’t know what skills are in demand, take a look at job postings online. They can be your best educators and teach you what skill set companies are looking for.
By the way, is your resume ATS-compliant? There are several do’s and don’ts to make sure that your resume isn’t automatically rejected by a software Applicant Tracking System.
Check In With Your Network
If you have been working for a while, you probably have a decent sized network of professional connections. At least you should. The summer is a good time to review that list and check in with some people, just to see how they are doing. Sure, you can mention that you might be open to making a change later in the year, but mainly you just want to get in touch and see what people have been up to and what information they might have about their company’s plans, what they’ve been hearing from colleagues, partners and vendors, and how they see the state of the job market these days. If you do that, don’t forget to offer your assistance and advice since networking is a two-way street.
In addition, you should consider expanding your network. Would anyone from your network recommend that you contact someone to get on their radar? Do you have a list of companies that you want to know more about and that you would love to work for? You should. The summer is a good time to do research and make a list of companies, and find connections at those places. It’s not hard to do. You have to approach these people carefully but making strategic connections is key to finding work.
Check Your Social Media Presence
Most employers will check if you have a social media presence, and what you say about yourself if you do. It’s not necessary but it’s a chance to show yourself in the best possible light. Of course, LinkedIn is the main professional networking site out there, and I strongly encourage people to have at least a basic presence on the site. It’s free and it’s almost an expectation that you have a presence there.
But it’s not just LinkedIn. If you are a software developer, you may want to have a GitHub account where you can share your code and collaborate on projects with others. Many web designers, marketing professionals and learning & development specialists have their own websites to showcase their talents. Recruiters live on social media so make sure you catch their attention.
A resume alone is often not enough these days. So take some time this summer and create or beef up your online brand. It’s a way to establish your personal brand and to show people the value that you can bring to an organization.
Preparation is the Key to Success
It’s true. Getting things in order and being prepared give you the best chance of getting what you want. Yes, enjoy the summer and take this time to relax and re-energize, but keep an eye to the future. I’ve seen great opportunities pop up fast for job seekers, and I’ve seen them evaporate just as fast in this competitive job market. Have all your ducks in a row and keep building connections with people. You never know when something is going to break. If you are prepared when it does, you stand a great chance at getting that perfect job.
