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How to use summer hours to find your dream job
If you are serious about finding a new job this summer, and are lucky enough to have summer hours, use your time off to find your new opportunity. 2015 signals one of the best job markets we’ve seen in years, with Minneapolis being reported as one of the strongest markets, and even though there are many positions open, it doesn’t mean you can wait for the next step in your career to fall into your lap. Start your summer with a goal, and use each week to move closer toward the goal of finding your next career opportunity. This means that instead of giving in to the temptation to beat Friday afternoon traffic to the cabin, you’ll want to do the following:
1. Network with your recruiter
We know that trying to find a new job can feel like a full time job. In addition to meeting with a recruiter to access their network of open positions that might not be posted anywhere else, keep in mind that their full-time job is to network. Ideally, a recruiter would place each person they meet that’s looking for a new opportunity, but unfortunately that isn’t reality. However, that generally means a recruiter will work to connect you with whomever they have in their network that can help you.
2. Schedule informational interviews
Has it been awhile since you’ve set up or participated in an informational interview? Think of it as another way to get your resume circulated through another network, and get practical interview experience. While you may not receive a job offer out of this meeting, you will probably get some valuable insight about the company your interviewer works for, and/or another connection that has a professional network. Additionally, should an opportunity arise at the company, the interviewer could alert you and get your resume to the right people for consideration immediately. –Perhaps before it’s posted to external sources. This is critical because the average online job posting receives 144 resumes/ applicants (source:hireright.com).
3. Golf in industry tournaments, participate in industry happy hours
Summer marks the season for industry golf tournaments and happy hours. Take advantage of the beautiful weather and get out to a local golf course or patio for a networking opportunity. These are both great ways to hear about the health of other companies in your industry, and find out where opportunities are popping up, or where they’re likely to emerge next. In addition, you will get to socialize with potential co-workers outside of the office. It’s a great way to get a preview of a company’s culture and the kinds of personalities you could be working with outside the office.
4. Get in touch with former bosses, take them to lunch/ happy hour
Has it been awhile since you’ve had lunch with a former boss? Or have you been meaning to schedule a happy hour to catch up? Get that meeting on the calendar for one of your half-day Fridays to network, check in and solidify their willingness to be a reference for you when an interviewer asks for people they can talk to about your professional character and experience. If you get this done during summer hours, it means you don’t have to take formal vacation time from your current position this fall to confirm this connection.
5. Call references, update your resume
If you’re no longer living in the same city as one of your references, give them a call to check in and verify that they’re still willing to give their professional opinion of you. Never assume that because you talked to them a year ago, they’re still alright with having a strange person call their cell phone to talk about you.
Revamp your resume. This means updating it to reflect changes to your responsibilities in your current role, and sending it to trusted individuals to gain valuable feedback and insights.
6. Catch up on your professional reading list
Nearly every professional should have a list of books they want to read. Use your summer hours to locate copies of the books that you’ve been “meaning to read” for your professional development and plow through the list. You’ll likely pick up stories you can cite in an interview situation, or lean about a new approach to handle an issue that has stumped you in your professional career. Of course we also encourage you to add in some of the beach reading that is released by your favorite author just in time for summer.
7. Use your summer hours to vacation too
Make sure to take some time to relax too. Your current boss and current company are giving you this time to get out and enjoy the fantastic weather, local events and put some fun in your summer. The last thing you want is to return to work on Monday more stressed out than when you left on Friday. So make sure you’re taking some time out to enjoy your summer hours.
If you do the things that we’re recommending all year long, you will likely not have to dedicate many of your summer hours toward completing our list.