Summer and Interviewing
Should You Bother?
Among the stories I hear is that it is a waste of time to interview during the summer. Managers aren’t there to interview. No one hires. No one is in the mood. Everyone is on vacation (Yes. Entire companies close their doors and go on vacation). It is a waste of time.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Summer is a terrific time for interviewing because employers have the same need but fewer people to choose from because everyone believes that it is a bad time to interview. So the demand still exists and, in some fields (technology comes to mind) the urgency increases to hire. It becomes so urgent that firms start taking on more consultants to satisfy their needs because they just don’t interview enough qualified candidates!
A few years ago, a poorly qualified computer programmer named Preeti came to me in February of that year and tried to change jobs. I listened to her discuss her experience. She was very junior, worked at a small company working on smaller scale projects with no particular “sizzle” in the marketplace. She had already been looking for work for several weeks.
After she asked for my help, I politely told her that I didn’t think I would be able to do so for several months. I explained that I spoke of several months was not because I was too busy, but because of how her experience would be perceived in the market and tat by Memorial Day, things would probably loosen up.
By late June, I had her starting a new job.
So, as a job hunter, if you want to take the summer off, you certainly can . . . but understand that you are missing a terrific opportunity to connect with your next job.
Jeff Altman
Should You Bother?
Among the stories I hear is that it is a waste of time to interview during the summer. Managers aren’t there to interview. No one hires. No one is in the mood. Everyone is on vacation (Yes. Entire companies close their doors and go on vacation). It is a waste of time.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Summer is a terrific time for interviewing because employers have the same need but fewer people to choose from because everyone believes that it is a bad time to interview. So the demand still exists and, in some fields (technology comes to mind) the urgency increases to hire. It becomes so urgent that firms start taking on more consultants to satisfy their needs because they just don’t interview enough qualified candidates!
A few years ago, a poorly qualified computer programmer named Preeti came to me in February of that year and tried to change jobs. I listened to her discuss her experience. She was very junior, worked at a small company working on smaller scale projects with no particular “sizzle” in the marketplace. She had already been looking for work for several weeks.
After she asked for my help, I politely told her that I didn’t think I would be able to do so for several months. I explained that I spoke of several months was not because I was too busy, but because of how her experience would be perceived in the market and tat by Memorial Day, things would probably loosen up.
By late June, I had her starting a new job.
So, as a job hunter, if you want to take the summer off, you certainly can . . . but understand that you are missing a terrific opportunity to connect with your next job.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
© 2006 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, is Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm,. He has successfully assisted many corporations identify management leaders and staff since 1971. He is also a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
If you would like to subscribe to Headhunt Your Own Job, Jeff Altman’s free job search ezine, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman. While you’re there, you can read other job hunting or hiring advice, search available technical and non-technical positions and sign up to receive a daily digest of positions we’re recruiting for.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff or obtaining consultants, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, please include your resume).
