Senior Managing Editor for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News
Today's article was created in collaboration with AI. I still wrote a large portion of the article. I edited and checked everything before it got to you, too. ~ Andrew
Summer is nearly here in the northern hemisphere! Many people take time off for vacations, enjoy "Summer Fridays," and slow down a bit. Those realities can be a blow to your confidence as a job seeker since hiring often depends on people being in the workplace. The good news is that there are things you can do to get hired during the summer months or — at the very least — set yourself up for success in late August or early September.
Hiring Still Happens During the Summer Months
The most important thing to remember as a job seeker during the summer is that hiring is still happening even if the process moves at a slower pace. Few professionals — including recruiters — get the entire summer off from work. So, people in the talent acquisition space are still looking for great candidates to fill open positions.
One reason hiring sometimes slows down during the summer is due to people being on vacation. There are typically a handful of people involved in the hiring process — from the candidate to the hiring manager's manager. If one person is on vacation one week and another person is off the next, there may be a slowdown. The process is still moving forward but slower than if everyone was online ready to chat.
The second big reason your job search may feel like it's stalled during the summer is that some companies wrap up their fiscal years at the end of June. Those companies may hold off on hiring — especially during an uncertain economy — until they have a better picture of how their fiscal year will play out. Even then, companies will usually hire for necessary roles.
Find Summer Hot Spots in the Job Market
Slowdowns in hiring are not universal during the summer months. Hiring is often seasonal, meaning that industries see a boom in business during certain times of the year. Tourism, hospitality, construction, and retail usually need extra workers as people head on vacation, move forward with building projects and enjoy sales centered around summer holidays.
For instance, Teachndo's Sweta Regmi points out that the construction industry in Canada heats up in the summer, creating a ripple effect on related jobs in mortgages, loans, and underwriting. "The construction industry in Canada will be hot in summer as there is no snow," she wrote.
Similarly, HireDiverse's Shauna Cole mentioned the increased demand for seasonal workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors during the summer.
"These temporary positions can provide awesome experience and potentially lead to full-time opportunities in the future," she wrote.
Keep Networking and Building Relationships
The relaxed nature of summer provides an excellent platform for networking and building professional relationships. The season's casual atmosphere can ease people into a more open mindset, making it a perfect time for reconnection and interaction, wrote Coffee & Consult's Bernadette Pawlik.
"Reach out to people you haven't interacted with for a while," she wrote. "A simple DM saying: Happy summer! The family and I are planning on a trip to the Dells this year. It has been too long since we've connected. Do you and yours have any fun summer plans?"
Whether you're attending industry events or casual summer BBQs, you can also use these opportunities to network. The laid-back summer environment can facilitate more organic conversations and connections, potentially leading to job leads.
Similarly, maintaining an active LinkedIn profile, as Ageless Careers' Colleen Paulson suggested, can enhance your visibility to recruiters who are on the hunt for top talent throughout the summer.
Work on Your Skills and Be Proactive During the Summer
You should remain proactive and resilient in your job search during the summer. Use this time to enhance your skills and professional value. Take online courses, attend workshops, or pursue certifications that demonstrate your commitment to professional growth, MJW Careers, LLC's Matt Warzel suggested.
"Keep searching for job openings, networking, and submitting applications to stay proactive," he wrote.
As mentioned above, hiring is still happening. Staying proactive in your job search while others slow down their hunt can give you a valuable opportunity to stand out, wrote Career Coach Jay Colan.
"Take advantage of many people saying nothing happens in the summer to get ahead of the pack. You definitely don’t want to put your search on hold until September when everybody ramps up," he added.
What I hope you take away from all of this is that you can still land a job or move ahead in your job search during the summer even if it seems challenging due to shifting industry dynamics and slower hiring processes. Remember that every season brings unique opportunities – the key is knowing how to seize them.
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