SUMMER TIME BLUES

We have all heard this "oldie but goodie" song many times: There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues. But, there’s also Summer time and the livin’ is easy. Which song relates to you this summer? If you are employed and ready for a vacation, Livin’ is Easy applies. If unemployed, you’re feeling the blues and troubled about what to do next. As the summer heat escalates, the reality is that everything slows down.

The period between July 4th and Labor Day weekend—approximately 60 days—can be the slowest time of the year to find a new job. Managers are taking their vacations. Many companies have summer schedules and close at noon on Fridays. For many families, this is the prime time to take a vacation.

In my search business, open assignments seem to drag along toward a September hiring date. If the living is easy for you, be thankful that you’re employed. Enjoy the middle of summer, but continue to network. One never knows when the next right opportunity will arrive.

If you are feeling the effects of the summer doldrums, here are a few tips to help you maintain your search.

ACCEPT THE SLOW DOWN
There may not be a cure, but we can put the blues in remission. Now that you know it’s going to be slow, keep following up on your past interviews. If you feel you’re being put off, don’t push hard for a final decision.

CONTINUE FOLLOW-UP
While other job seekers slow down and sweat out the summer, you on the other hand, will politely and persistently follow up with companies and track the openings that are on hold. The candidate with proper follow-up will be at the front of the line when the company is ready to hire.

GET DATES/DEADLINES
Find the hiring target date human resources has set to fill the vacancy. If it’s after September, explain your willingness to wait. If you are dealing with the hiring manager, ask what you can do in the meantime. Maybe some market surveys to keep your name and resume in front of the decision-maker?

[QUICK TIP] Refresh with a vacation.
If you have been out of work for an extended period, this is the time to renew yourself. Spending money and relaxing will be next to impossible when there’s no cash flow, but do what you must. Go low budget, stay local and within driving range but give yourself that break. It will help you re-evaluate your career choices and help you understand that this period in your life is temporary.

there ain’t no cure…

collegegrad.com

Recently, I checked out what collegegrad.com had to offer. For a little more than 30 minutes, I browsed the site —assessing the format, ease of use, the links and the value of the free information. What a great starting point for recent grads and students alike! The information is free—always a good price—and is full of resume composition and interview tips.

This site can offer assistance to students at high school level, but is invaluable to college students in helping to focus career goals. Resume tips can prove useful to jobhunters of any age…plus there is a section dedicated to composing resumes for internships and summer jobs.

The trade-off for all this free advice is being inundated with pop-up ads. But, that’s a small price to pay…this is a site to bookmark.