Summer is considered a quiet season, making the job search somewhat more difficult. However, there are ways to benefit from the slower pace and to strengthen your professional prospects, says TripleTen Career coach Christina Guida.
TripleTen recently released its traditional Job Market Overview for June, and in case you missed the video, here are some insights that Cristina shared.
Insight One: The Unemployment Rate is Low
First and foremost, the research published by the New York Times and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the labor market shows signs of cooling. Just over these first weeks of summer, US employers added 209,000 new jobs. In fact, the unemployment rate has fallen from 3.7% in May to 3.6%, its lowest since the 1960s.
Traditionally, the unemployment rate is even lower for the tech industry, even though fewer jobs were added compared to May. After massive layoffs at top companies, the market still remains strong (learn more in our previous Job Market OverviewTripleTen Job Market Overview: It’s a Good Time to Get into Tech). Nearly ten million tech jobs remained open as of May.
Insight Two: Time to Network
Although recruiters may not be as active in searching, interviewing, and hiring specialists during the summer months, the TripleTen Career team encourages job seekers to continue looking for opportunities.
“The summer months are slower for employment due to a seasonal cool-off. People are more relaxed, they are less busy, and they possibly have more time to connect,” says Christina Guida.
Summer is an excellent opportunity to connect with others and network.
Insight Three: Strategic Moves for the Summer
Plan some rest to start the fall fully reinvigorated. A lot of hiring will launch in September. But don’t stay idle, either. What should you do to take advantage of the season?
- Start building relationships. You can connect with professionals who are less busy thanks to the laid-back season. The summer can provide a more relaxed atmosphere in which you can foster these meaningful connections.
- Expand your network. Even though the summer months are slower, there are still a lot of opportunities to connect and diversify your network.
- Strengthen existing connections. Summer can be a great opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues, mentors, and acquaintances. Keeping in touch shows your continued interest in the relationship.
- Attend professional development events. Summer is the time of professional conferences, exhibitions, and events. Participating in these events will help you expand your knowledge and skill set. Take advantage of these opportunities, build new meaningful connections, and boost your knowledge.
Would you like more tips on a successful job hunt? Check out the full video from TripleTen!
It’s important to remember the long-term benefits of networking for your career. Now is the time! Don’t give up on your job search, stay on the lookout for exciting events, and become a sought-for tech specialist with TripleTen bootcamps.