Find out what experts are saying that you should consider if you’re looking for a job this fall!
This fall, the job market may experience a shift that might be great for those who are looking for a job. Career experts have noted a “September surge”, a phenomenon where more job openings are expected to emerge after Labor Day, which is often linked to the end of the summer slowdown as hiring managers and recruiters return from vacation.
“The team is never there together; there’s always someone missing”, said Cara Heilmann, president of the International Association of Career Coaches. She added that the hiring process tends to slow down significantly during the summer months because of this.
However, Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter, pointed out that there is no solid data to support this theory. In fact, statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that, on average, the number of job openings in the U.S. actually decreases by 1.4% between August and September. Similarly, the number of hires typically falls by about 6% during this period.
Despite these numbers, career experts suggest that fall could still be a great time to search for a job. For example, more than 20 million job applications are submitted via ZipRecruiter each month, but there was an 8.3% drop in applications from August to September in 2022, and a 12.1% decrease last year. This reduction in applications means that those actively looking for jobs may face less competition, potentially improving their chances of landing a job.
“We do see a seasonal trend in job seeker behavior, however, with a modest decline in the number of job applications submitted in September”, Pollak said.
Improve Your Chances When Looking For A Job
1. Networking Is The Way
Erin McGoff, a career educator, advised job seekers to “be more strategic” by networking directly with people at companies of interest, rather than just applying to numerous jobs online. “It’s important now more than ever to network and try to land a job through word of mouth, your alumni network, or any other associations you’re a part of”, she explained. This approach is crucial as hiring managers are often overwhelmed by the number of applications, and “job boards are becoming extremely cluttered and oversaturated”, as she added.
2. Get To Know The Company Culture
Networking can also provide valuable insights into the company and its hiring process, according to Aaron Terrazas, chief economist at Glassdoor. To stand out, it’s beneficial to understand the company culture, use the “company language”, and know what interviewers are looking for.
3. Tailor Your Resume
Customizing your resume for each job application is vital, said McGoff. “The second that recruiters get that generic, untailored resume, it’s just going right into the ‘no’ pile”, she noted. To save time, use a rating system to prioritize which jobs are worth investing more effort into, Heilmann advised. For instance, if a job doesn’t excite you, rate it lower and spend less time on that application. Conversely, for jobs that rate higher on your scale, dedicate more effort to tailoring your resume and cover letter.
4. Use a Multi-Faceted Approach
Heilmann recommended a balanced strategy, which she calls a “three-legged stool”, that involves a combination of online applications, networking, and consulting with a career coach or recruiter. Focusing on just one method, like applying online, may result in an imbalanced job search strategy. Additionally, it’s important to act quickly.
“You might not have much time. Fall is bookended by big holidays. It’s a relatively narrow window for job seekers to get on board”, Terrazas said.