8 tips for managing a summer job search

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is well underway. In Washington D.C., where I reside, this means days are so humid that going outside can feel like stepping into one big steam shower. It also means lighter traffic, empty restaurants, and plentiful parking. As the “out of office” email responses start flying in, it becomes increasingly obvious that the working world is on vacation. Especially in more vacation-leave generous places such as Europe, some offices virtually shut down during the months of July and August. But what if you are a job seeker — should you put your job search on hold, too? With hiring managers and recruiters away on leave and many duties passed on to summer interns, hiring can often be put on the back burner. Here are eight tips for managing your job search when it feels like everyone is away at the beach. 1. Less competition While hiring typically slows down during the summer, so do applications. Employers aren’t the only ones on vacation, candidates are too. So while there may be fewer jobs posted overall, you are likely to face less competition, too. 2. Remember key dates One of the reasons hiring slows down is because summer interns can help buy time by filling vacancies. Some employers wait to see if they want to hire any of their interns permanently. Internships typically end in late August, so be prepared to keep an eye out for new job opportunities in late August and September. 3. Resume overhaul Summer is a great time to brush up your resume. Use the time you would spend on submitting job applications to give your resume an overhaul. That way, you will be ready to bite when hiring ramps up again. Watch this video with Devex CV writing expert on how to write a great development CV or this webinar. Or consider engaging one of our expert CV writers with the Devex CV Writing Service. 4. Do your research Spend this time researching potential employers that align with your skills, interests, and values. (You can search career profiles of thousands of employers on Devex, on where they are based, organization type, where they work, who is hiring, and more). Set up job alerts on Devex so you will be notified as soon as they do have new postings. 5. Get in touch Don’t wait until these employers post a job. Contact them proactively so you are already on their radar when they have new openings. Here are some tips for asking for an informational interview. 6. Try an informational interview With a lot of people out on vacation, those left behind often have more flexibility (not as many meetings to work around!) and could be available for informational interviews, coffee or an early after-work drink. People in the summer are often calmer, happier, and looking for excuses to get out of the office and into the sunshine. This is a great time to reach out to your network and see who is around! Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to informational interviews. 7. Be patient Hiring decisions can take longer to make during the summer. Often, there are multiple stakeholders who need to weigh in on a new hire. Juggling vacation schedules can make it challenging for employers to reach a consensus quickly when everyone is out of office. Be patient as you wait to hear back on your application status. Here are five other reasons why you may not have heard back from a recruiter. 8. Relax Take a break yourself. Looking for a job can often feel like a full-time job itself. Take a vacation — or if that isn’t financially feasible, just take a few days “mental break.” Use that time to re-evaluate your career goals and then come back to your search with a refreshed sense of purpose. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search — all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.