Summertime Rolls

I've had 6 calls with potential clients in the past 2 days.

Yes, summer is almost here - but lots of folks are still looking for jobs.

So, how do you balance job searching with all of the extra sun and fun that summer has to offer?

Here are my top tips for your summer job search:

• Understand market trends: Job postings and hiring tend to dip in the summer. I've been talking a lot about the difficulties that folks are having in finding work in 2026. Please don't be hard on yourself if you aren't gaining a lot of traction: this job market is not easy. With that said, many folks decide to cut back on their job search in the summer, so staying somewhat active can help you to stand out.
• Make active and passive job search plans: Having active and passive job search plans are important for job seekers, but especially important in the summer. An active job search plan includes setting up job alerts, updating your resume, and preparing for interviews. For your passive job search plan, I want you to update your LinkedIn profile and ensure that it includes all of the skills/keywords for your target roles. Once you have that updated LinkedIn profile, it's doing the work for you - so, while you are sitting by the pool, recruiters are able to find YOU for roles.
• Use the summer to build/nurture your network: I don't know what your summer looks like, but ours is booked up with graduations, swim meets, summer sports, and pool days. Use these events as a time to catch up with your community. Take advantage of the lighter summer work schedule to schedule coffee or a happy hour with folks that you haven't seen in awhile. If you are actively searching, don't be afraid to let people know that you are looking. Most people want to help - let them!
• Plan fun into your job search schedule: This fits with the networking piece somewhat, but I want to make sure that you are taking time to relax and rejuvenate this summer. For me, that's walking, hiking, and spending time at the pool with my kids. For others, that could be gardening, boating, or camping. Decide what that looks like for you and plan that into your schedule.
• Patience is a virtue: Being patient is important in a job search no matter what, but it's especially important during the summer. You should expect the process to be slower than usual in the summer. Don't be surprised if you don't hear back as quickly as you had hoped: plan accordingly!

Question of the week

I have come in second place in three very competitive, nationwide searches with high-quality companies. It's a heartbreaker but an achievement in itself. Should I tell this to the next company I am interviewing with, or does this make me look like a loser? It's worth saying that all three of these processes took a full 6 months EACH, sequentially, with presentations required--so it took up a LOT of my time, which is another reason I am thinking of mentioning it--otherwise it looks like I've been hanging around gardening! Thanks

This is such a great question and I'm glad that you asked it.

Making it to "second place" for any job in this market is a huge accomplishment. Doing this three times with high-quality companies is something that you should be extra proud of.

It makes sense to me to share this in an interview. If you know how many applicants these roles had, you can share that. You can talk about what you learned through these lengthy processes; then, discuss how you can use this knowledge in future roles. You can also estimate how much time that you spent in preparation and share that. You can even spin it and say that this experience helps you to better understand the competition (if these companies are competitors).

Best of luck with everything and hang in there - your time is coming soon!

ps: I'm planning to step back from the newsletter a bit this summer. I'm currently planning to move the timing to every other week - I'll keep you posted.

ps2: I'm filling up fast in Q2 - I do have a few open spots right now if you've been thinking about working together. Here is a link to my service offerings and here is a link to my calendar if you'd like to setup a time to talk.

Take care of yourself and have a wonderful weekend!

Colleen

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246

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