A persistent job search myth: No one hires in the summer.
The truth is most companies hire at about the same rate in summer as they do the rest of the year and summer can be the best time to look for a new role. If you spend your time wisely, you still might be able to fit a couple of beach days in.
Why is summer a good time to look for a new job?
Time for onboarding and training–While many companies may have fewer projects to work on in the summer, they can take the time to interview, hire and train new employees without a lot of the stress of deadlines that come around during the rest of the year.
Temporary work–While some permanent employees are on vacation, companies can bring in new people on a temporary basis to try them out before hiring. As a potential candidate, you can show them how you work and how you would fit into their culture on the spot.
Less competition–Because other job seekers will believe the no-one-hires-in-summer myth, there are fewer candidates with whom to compete.
More relaxed–We are well trained to change our mindset in the summer to a calmer, less worried one than in the fall. Being more relaxed–as long as you are still prepared–can only help you in your interview process.
Fall is coming–The busier season will soon be upon those potential employers and if they want to have new, trained, skilled workers at their desks in September, they have to start the process in July or August.
Summer is when quality time management comes into play in your job search. Don’t spend all day, every day sending out online applications–get some recreation time in, too. But equally don’t give up your job search for the warmer months. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for talent–help them find you.
Wendy Stackhouse, for Artisan Creative