5 Reasons Why Summer Job Hunting Will Get You a Job

You may think nothing happens in the summer. No one is really working or hiring, so you may as well take a break from your job search until Labor Day rolls around, right? Big mistake. The fact is there are still job offers to be found out there—even in the dog days. Remain at the top of the game, and hopefully one of those jobs will be yours for the taking. Here are 5 specific reasons why you should persevere in your hunt for the next great opportunity over the summer months.

1. It’s the perfect time to take stock

This is particularly true if you’ve been looking for a new job for a few weeks or months. The summer is a good time marker. Take a step back and evaluate your progress. What has and hasn’t been working? Could you glam up your resume or LinkedIn profile a bit? Re-hone and rehearse your elevator pitch? Come up with a new strategy? The self-examining work you do now will pay off–not only over the summer, but throughout your career.

2. You’ll get a leg up on the competition

While there are still jobs out there in the summer, there are far fewer applicants. Now that you’re in on the secret, you can be sure that your resume is circulating among far fewer resumes in the summer months. So while the other guys are at the beach, you’ll be making forward progress. Keep networking, keep applying. Keep your eye on the prize.

3. Interviews are less complicated to schedule

Your workload has eased up a bit, and the same is probably true for recruiters. You’ll find it’s much easier to find a mutually convenient time to meet someone in the summer months. Plus, there’s often a more relaxed and casual feel in the office. And, if your boss is away, you won’t have to worry about lying to her when you duck out for an interview with a headhunter!

4. Networking can be more casual

Just like the office dress code, the professional networking scene eases up a bit in summer. Gone are the formal mixers and events. You can try the “grab a burger and a beer” strategy, or perhaps join a league sports team. And when you’re relaxed? You probably appear more confident. There are many more opportunities for casual conversations. You can start with the weather or the Red Sox and end up with a job prospect.

5. You’ll have time to reevaluate

How did your year go at your current job? How well were you compensated? How well did you meet your goals? If you have a dream job on the horizon, now’s a good time to take stock and figure out what skills and certifications you may need to acquire to get there. Confer with your time table and make sure you’re not straying too far from it. In short, use these slower months to kick your job searching butt into high gear! Your future fall self will thank you.