Don't Pause Your Summer Job Search: Expert Tips to Keep Momentum

If you’re wondering how to best approach your job search this summer, career coach Michelle Schafer has some guidance for you. Schafer joined CTV’s Your Morning Ottawa to offer some summer job search tips.

Don’t Hit the Brakes

Schafer says one of the most common myths is that people should hit pause on their job search during the summer months.

“I’ve been hearing this for over a decade, that in the summer you shouldn’t be doing anything; that there’s not as many postings, which is true — the postings slow down, okay. But people are still getting hired, there are still offers that are being extended,” Schafer said.

“I really encourage everybody to not put the brakes on their job search to still keep the lights on and keep the momentum going.”

Schafer says there’s a “huge cost” to pressing pause over the summer, as job seekers could miss out on postings and lose momentum they’ve been building.

“You’re going to also interrupt the confidence you’re building, the momentum that you’re building, your entire job search routine, and any of those networks that you’ve been actively stewarding,” Schafer said.

“If you put a pause on your job search, you’re going to be interrupting all of that great work.”

Pausing your job hunt in the summer can also make it more difficult to get back on track in the fall, Schafer said.

“It can really even be discouraging, and a lot of job seekers are already dealing with enough frustration already.”

Reframe Your Search

While summer might not be the most bustling time for job postings, Schafer says it is the perfect season to focus on networking and relationship building.

“Think of this as an excellent time to build those relationships, because the weather is nicer, a number of people don’t have as many meetings booked, or as many things happening within their business,” she said.

Schafer recommends picking who you’re interested in working for and finding someone in your network who can get your foot in the door or start a conversation for you.

“Reach out and invite that person to a patio, have a coffee, explore what that company is like as a place to work. You might actually find out about some jobs that are actually at that company,” she said.

“So, having those conversations, those informational interviews, great time to do that in the summer.”

Keep the Lights On

While hitting pause on your job search isn’t recommended, Schafer says that doesn’t mean job seekers shouldn’t enjoy the summer.

“This is really about the consistent light touches to really keep the lights on for your job search,” she said.

If you’re dedicating three to four hours of your day towards your job search, it might be appropriate to scale that back to one to two hours during the summer.

“Just doing some things each day to keep things moving, while also taking the time for yourself to go on those bike rides and sit on that dock,” Schafer said.

In addition to networking, Schafer recommends exploring job posting boards and company websites for potential employment opportunities, strengthening your resume and getting active on LinkedIn.

“Those are all things that you can do in the summer to keep things moving, so that your job search still stays alive in those summer months,” she said.