Blog Post: How to Tackle the Slowing, Summer Job Market

In December, I wrote about kicking your search into “high gear” since the tendency is to back off a bit because of the holidays. While we are six months away from that season, the job seeker does experience something similar in the summer months.  Hiring processes seem to take twice as long.  Vacations make getting everyone on the same interview schedule, much less consensus on hiring decisions, difficult…to say the least.  But there are some things you can do to help keep your job search moving forward with momentum, in spite of all this:
 
·         It’s All About Activity: Network like crazy – LinkedIn®, Twitter®, professional networking events, trade shows, etc..  Don’t mirror the pace of the market.  This is the time to get a leg up and get yourself in the process ahead of your competition.
 
·         Less is More: Yes, you will need to increase your activity, but that doesn’t necessarily mean more work.  Try working in blocks on your key activities (generating leads, marketing yourself, following up on leads, emails, etc.).  By assigning specific blocks of time for these activities (and nothing else), you may find you work less but accomplish more.
 
·         Start Now: Start increasing your activity now.  Don’t wait for the market to slow.  It is only a few weeks before summer schedules and vacations begin.  So, begin filling your pipeline ASAP.
 
·         Adjust your Responses:  You know the process is going to slow, so measure your response in following up.  By taking that into account, you can turn your calls and keeping in touch from nagging to pleasant persistence.   And, while your competition is getting frustrated and not taking this into account, you will begin separating yourself from the pack.
 
·         Have a System: Put together a system to track all your activity, who you are contacting and when you will contact them again.  It is hard to determine what is going well and what isn’t without measuring and a system makes this so much easier.
 
·         Be Original:  In following up, you don’t want to continue checking in with the same message, “I am back and still looking for work.”  Change up your message and get creative, but always stay on their radar.   
 
Every year I have seen the hiring process slow in the summer.  But, just as sure as you can bet on that, I have also seen it take off like a shot again in late August right before Labor Day.  While that might seem distant on the horizon, it will be here before you know it.  And, by filling your pipeline during the summer months, if you are still in the process in August your dance card is more likely to be full!
 
 * * * * * * * * * *
 
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 17,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com