Long days, sunny weather, and a socially-packed schedule — that’s what summertime is all about, right?!
The urban legend that summer is one of the worst times to find employment opportunities is long gone. The fear for most is that hiring slows down during these times because hiring managers (or yourself!) will have scheduling conflicts due to vacations, or because hiring budgets have already been spent. Many decide to slow down their efforts, or worse, stop altogether. In truth, however, summer can be one of the best times to find a new opportunity, and here’s why!
Less Competition!
One of the many hurdles people face during their job search is competition. Many requisitions can have 10 to 100 applicants or more! It can feel daunting to try to stand out above the rest. During the summer though, many job seekers have the same mentality and slow down the hunt for the perfect job during the sunny months. Avoiding that mentality can give you your opportunity to stand out! The summer can be a great time to bypass the competition, which gives you a chance to shine.
Contract and Contract-to-Hire opportunities
Summer can be an abundant time for contract opportunities as employers bring in temporary employees to fill in when permanent employees take long leaves of absences, like vacations or sabbaticals. It’s also a time when many healthcare and insurance companies are gearing up for open-enrollment that hits in fall which opens up great seasonal work for future candidates.
Although contract positions are never a guarantee for a permanent position with a company, it can be a great foot in the door. You can prove yourself through your work ethic during the summer months, which could lead to a conversion or an employer remembering you down the line for an opening that becomes available!
Sneaking out is easier!
If you have ever been searching for new opportunities while you are still sitting in a role, you know the panic that sets in when it comes to taking time off to interview. Will your current employer find out? How do you explain an absence to your supervisor without causing concern?
The summer can be an easier time to take that kind of time off. For starters, it’s more normal for individuals to ask for PTO during the sunny months, because vacations or personal days can be expected. Many companies are more lenient during the summer, for instance, if your company gives its employees Friday’s off that can be a great time to set up those interviews without it being noticed.
Network, Network, Network!
You know the age-old advice when it comes to looking for new opportunities- NETWORK! Although this could be applicable to any time of the year, the summer can bring some fun and interesting events that could potentially put you in front of that company you’ve been eyeing for months!
This is also could be a great way to reach out to a recruiter or hiring manager to grab a cup of coffee or go to happy hour! Individuals are always looking for a great way to get out of the office, especially when it sunny, so why not use this to your advantage to cultivate some great relationships with people whom might be a great stepping stone for your career.
Interview Process – It can be shorter!
This one can truly go both ways, so take this bullet point in stride. There are instances where many hiring managers take summer vacations, which in turn can lengthen the interview process longer than most. However, sometimes this can be to your advantage! Because it can be hard to work around schedules, many managers might expedite the process, hurrying the interview process along before a team-member that’s apart of the recruitment leaves for PTO.
No matter what time of the year it is, hiring managers are looking for top talent, even during the summer! Don’t follow the status-quo. Keep up your hiring efforts during the time when others go on a hiatus from their job search, and you’ll have a shot at finding and job and stand out to your future employers!
