There’s a buzz in the air. Can you feel it? The end of summer is closing in, and before we know it, the yearly tradition of back-to-school will be upon us.
Ah, September. Cooler weather, glorious rain. It’s the perfect time to kick-start a job search after coasting aimlessly through July and August.
If you’re one of the many job seekers who tend to use summertime as nap time, it’s time to throw some water on your face. Some companies slow down their recruitment efforts in the warmer months, but they never completely stop. If you can peel yourself away from sleepy summer activities, these next couple of weeks provide a unique opportunity to get yourself noticed by potential employers.
Serious job hunters refuse to put the brakes on job searching until they’re happily employed. But maybe you aren’t a serious job seeker. Maybe you’re just scratching through the classified ads to research openings that exist in your field. Perhaps you’re thinking of ramping up your half-hearted job exploration, shifting from slow-poke progress into a more energetic pursuit.
Regardless of the pace you choose for your career, you can take advantage of the steady tempo of August to prepare for the active months ahead. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of late-summer job searching:
Manage your time. Job seeking may be stressful in the upcoming season. Economic factors, competition and a busy lifestyle may put added pressure on you. In these next few weeks, make sure you conduct all job-related tasks in a deliberate, organized manner.
Based on your goals, figure out how much time you need each day, set it aside, and use it wisely. If you plan on grinding away at job-searching tasks for an hour every morning, don’t let anything distract you during that time. And don’t allow it to take over the rest of your day, either. Find a schedule that works, and stick to it.
Evaluate your choices. Successful job hunting involves making sound decisions that fit your lifestyle. You’ll need to consider the pros and cons of every opportunity, including company reputation, salary, commute and responsibilities. Of course, before you get to that point, you’ll have to make choices about your resume and cover letter, whom to use as references, and how you’d like to present yourself in your interviews.
The last few weeks of summer are ideal for reviewing the details of your job search, such as redefining your goals and checking the grammar of your cover letter. These decisions (and revisions) can have a big impact in your success.
Get your head on straight. If you feel gloomy about your job search or your career, give yourself the day off. Rediscover the tall trees and mountain views of the Pacific Northwest. Head to the farmers market for some homemade pie and freshly plucked berries. Eat a barrel of popcorn while watching a blockbuster movie.
When you’re ready, ask yourself what will make you more satisfied in your career. Once you have your answer, get organized, be decisive and put yourself back in the game.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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