Don't take your job search on vacation!

Even though summer is halfway over, it's not too late for this advice - especially because  the longer it takes you to find a job, the longer your summer lasts.

Many job-seekers think summer is a bad time to search for a job. Don't get stuck in the mentality that if everyone else is on at the beach or on vacation, you should be too.  Take advantage of everyone else's summer fever by making yourself known as the front runner for a job.

Follow these tips from Dave Sanford, executive vice president for client services and managing partner at Winter, Wyman, a staffing firm based in Massachusetts.

1. Spend more quality time with hiring managers. "It's often harder to secure meetings and appointments with HR specialists and hiring managers because of vacation schedules, but many people who are in the office have lighter schedules and may have more time to spend with you."
2. Network in alternative places. "Go on that HR professional association sunset cruise. Polish your swing and sign-up for the annual biotech golf tournament...You may choose to leave the seminars and workshops until the fall, but don't let your networking skills go to waste."
3. Keep your resume and references updated at all times. "You don't need to post your resume or make it public, but you should always be ready with it in hand should someone request it or you uncover an employment prospect. There is a huge difference between giving a reference and giving a glowing reference. Seek out the great ones."
4. Take advantage of relocation. "Plenty of people move on to new jobs or educational opportunities - many of them right before the start of a new school year. That means their employers are looking to replace them during mid- and late-summer."
5. Enhance your talent. "Find at least one educational, professional or personal development opportunity during the summer to enhance your skills and knowledge."
6. Get organized and stay motivated. "There are countless distractions in teh summer so dedicate one full day to getting organized. Gather up all your contact information, job responses, resume drafts and find an organizational system that works for you."
7. Assesss your financial situation. "This will allow you to determine, before you head off to vacation, or put off the start date of your newly found job, how flexible you can be about salary, benefits and the entire compensation package."

Comments

[job interview tips]

A lot of what I have read other places makes it seem tricky and its really hard to understand, but you aided me a lot.

Well done!