Get a Head Start on Hiring Season in 6 Hours or Less

Get a Head Start on Hiring Season in 6 Hours or Less

education
Get Paid to Share Your Expertise

Help shape the future of business through market research studies.

See Research Studies

A lot of folks I’m talking to are saying they’re going to take the rest of the month off from job searching since ‘it’s a wash’ with ‘everyone on vacation.’

Now, I’m a big fan of taking some time off, especially during the summer when BBQs, the beach and the great outdoors beckon, but I also believe that unplugging time can be tempered with some critical things you can do in August to be prepped and primed and ready for the busy fall hiring season.

Before I give you the list, I want you to take out your calendar. Yes, right now. I want you to schedule 2 hours per week for the next 3 weeks for this work. Literally, put it in your calendar like you would a meeting for work or a dinner with friends. Set these appointments with yourself. How you split the time is up to you. If you like getting it all done in one shot, book one two-hour appointment with yourself each week. If you like to get a little bit done and further reflect, set up two one-hour appointments. You get the idea. Do what works for you- the important thing is that these dates don’t get moved. Would you cancel going to your best friend’s wedding at the last second? No, you wouldn’t. This is how it must be with these appointments.

By the way, for you mathematicians reading, what I’m about to lay out can be done in just SIX HOURS this month. This isn’t some massive bootcamp I’m suggesting that engulfs your life and every waking moment in it. These totally doable tips will set you up to move and groove once that last beach weekend slips away. (I know, sad.)

So, after you’ve scheduled your time, let’s get started.

6-Hour Plan to Kick off Your Fall Job Search

Week #1: Waking Up The Ol’ Network.

People who aren’t on vacation tend to have more time these next few weeks. Go through your LinkedIn contacts or wherever you keep your contacts and prioritize 5-7 people to reach out to. And if you don’t keep them anywhere, this is a great little addition to this week’s “homework” – get a template going with your key contacts and keep track of your interactions! I also recommend Highrise as a free tool you can use.

The next step once you’ve identified those 5-7 people is to reach out to them right now so that you can get a meetup on the calendar for the next 2-3 weeks. Because it’s summer, feel free to be creative! Maybe you know the person likes SUPPING (Stand Up Paddleboarding) so you can do the activity together and get lunch afterward. Otherwise, a lunch or coffee will do just wonderfully. Try to get the meet up in person (in person meetings go a long way to furthering the relationship) but if all else fails a Skype video call will work.

What are those items you want to make sure you include in your outreach?

  • A personalized intro
  • What you’re looking for
  • How you can help them
  • Proposed activities and times and dates
  • This approach can be copied for each person as long as you switch out the personalized intro, saving you time.

*Note: I said that these activities would take 2 hours per week, but with one exception. When you’re meeting up with some of these 5-7 people (not everyone will get back to you with availability), the time commitment increases a bit.

Time commitment:

  • LinkedIn searching for contacts and adding to master list: ~30-45 minutes
  • Prioritizing your top 5-7 for outreach: ~15 minutes
  • Creating a template for the outreach: ~20 minutes
  • Sending the emails: ~20 minutes

Also read: The Most Important People in Your Network

Week #2. Resume Revamp.

Just kidding! I told you these were absolutely not daunting and totally doable. Pull out your current resume and give it a once-over with the following checklist:

  • Is your current position included? (~1 minute)
  • Are your current duties reflected in the document? (~5-30 minutes, depending on your answer)
  • Have you clearly stated any accomplishments or areas where you’ve had impact? (Remember, duties aren’t enough- you’ve got to show how your skills are reflected in your duties and your duties translate into accomplishments. (~5-30 minutes, depending on your answer)
  • Next, I want you to choose three people in your network to contact to ask for feedback. I recommend that two of them are in your actual field so they can see the nuances of your particular field or industry. The other person can be someone outside the field for that outsider’s perspective. Don’t know where to start? Maybe you have a colleague at your current company or someone you keep in touch with who has recently left the company who would be appropriate. Maybe another friend in another field is also looking for a job and you can arrange a swap. (~30 minutes)
  • Lastly, make note of any networking groups you’re in (e.g. industry groups, alumni networks) and ask if anyone would be open to taking a look as members of the same group and offer to swap with them. (~30-45 minutes)

What kind of feedback are you looking for specifically?

  • Is it clear what my skill set and job are, without any other context like a cover letter or LinkedIn? In other words, can this resume stand on its own?
  • Is the language vague or can you actually picture me doing what I’m saying I’m doing?
  • Can you clearly see where I’ve demonstrated success and what impression does it leave?
  • What is lacking specifically and in what parts of the resume?

Give them a date you’re hoping for their feedback by, but indicate you’re flexible with their schedule since they’re helping you out. Offer to reciprocate!

Also read: Quick Resume Writing Tip: Update as You Go

Week #3: Prioritize the job search.

Ok, we’re coming up on the last week of August- we’re about to hit Labor Day.

This means that some employers you’ve had your eye on (and maybe some you haven’t!) might be posting some fresh jobs they’re looking to fill. Spend some time this week on the following:

  • Adding to (or starting) your master list of companies you’d like to work for. I like excel for this so you can create different sortable columns with information about the company that you find relevant. (~30 minutes)
  • Which of these companies have current job openings? Start a new “open jobs” tab and copy /paste those companies with the link to the job description over there. (~30 minutes)
  • Do you know anyone there? Check LinkedIn for first or second-degree connections and get on their radar. The widely cited stat that 70-80% of jobs are gotten through networking should not be ignored. Alumni connections might prove especially helpful here, especially if you have a strong alumni network. (~15 minutes)
  • Are they speaking at any networking events in your area? What about on any online seminars or webinars? Even if you’re not connected in some way to the company, there are these other ways in. And lastly, don’t overestimate a cold email sans introduction, although it must be well crafted. (~20 minutes)
  • Begin to think about how you would position yourself for your top 3 positions. List your top skills and accomplishments (per your resume work in week 2!) that would match each job description. Voila! Now you have the beginnings of your cover letter that you can bang out…next week, after one last weekend at the beach. (~30-40 minutes)

Once you’ve done some super targeted work on these three areas- networking, resume and job search strategy – just around 2 hours per week during the next three weeks- you’ll be ready to hit the ground running on September 6!

Jill Ozovek
About the Author
Jill Ozovek

Jill Ozovek is a certified career coach in New York City. Her practice focuses on helping Millennial and mid-career women find and develop careers that align with their passions. For more info on your own career change and Jill’s Career Change Kitchen course, click here.

Similar Articles

Show more