Is it EVER hard to keep motivated to job search, attend events, network and fill out applications when its sunny, hot and vacation-like outside. The danger is…you could grow gold when it’s hot and miss some of your best career opportunities.Here are a few tips to keep you motivated when the Sun is shining and summer is in full swing!
1. Stay Thirsty My Friends!
The hot summer days brings on a renewed desire for refreshing drinks with umbrellas, iced Capps and frozen smoothies consumed under the shade of some tree or on some beach somewhere. One of the things you can do to stay thirsty with career activities is to keep your goals ‘front and centre’. Keep your career aspirations on track by setting aside time to keep job search activities on the calendar so that you can “work hard and play hard.” If you are truly thirsty you can reach your goals of making connections, attending events, doing important research and preparing applications early while others are on laying on the beach. Then when others’ tans have well worn off you will be enjoying your new position in a CPA firm or other targeted company of choice.
2. Believe!
Opposed to some people’s belief and advice the summer is still a good time to look for work. The CPA firms especially have proved this as well as some other companies that are coming to campus and having events to engage students AT THIS VERY MOMENT! When many people are on vacation and work loads are often less, professionals have more time to meet and connect. This takes research and reaching out…but the pay offs are like a good tan. You just keep exposing yourself carefully and strategically and eventually it will pay off. After awhile those around you will be saying, “Hey that new career looks good on you!” As well, when other students are just starting to figure out what to do this Fall to advance their careers, you will already have a handful of people you are connected to and your applications will be in long before the postings deadlines. Applying early to CPA positions is worthwhile. If you believe it – you will do it!
3. Timing.
Have you ever been walking down the street on a breezy summer day and watched a sports car or ‘muscle car’ go by? It just projects the feeling of it being time to play and bring out the summer toys. Because of this and other summer fun, you will hear people say Summer (along with Christmas) season is the worst time to look for work. However, there is a history of great success for those who do not let assumed slowdowns handcuff their aspirations and throw their job search activities into neutral. The summer will soon return to the Fall work schedules and the inevitable “back to the daily grind” work flow. Experience with my clients has proven those who remain active during the slower periods find themselves in a better position than those who wait for things to ramp back up again. Delaying results by using the busy ramping up period of late August through September to make contacts means you will likely be making after those who have already connected. You just gotta know that those CPA firms and companies making the decision to pursue students now clearly know that the serious applicants will be engaged even when summer is tempting them to focus on other things.
4. CPA Recruit.
For those of you pursuing the CPA firms for Fall recruiting, you just simply cannot afford to waste your summer away. Whether you are taking a full course load or not you must remain active by staying up to date an what is happening, doing research, maintaining connects and submitting applications for the postings that are open right now.. It is very encouraging for me when a student comes into see me and they have a list of the companies they are approaching, networking contacts in place and specific cover letters for companies ready to be reviewed. It speaks of preparedness and certainly makes for a much better coaching experience for both of us. This is prime time for all those seeking positions with public firms whether small, medium or large. Your efforts now will pay off in interview opportunities just a few weeks from now. To wait is to take the chance lost opportunity.
5. Right Now!
As I write his blog post, there are several mid-sized postings that have been up for awhile as well as some new large firm postings that have just dropped. Check both COOL and the company websites to find the postings that you are interested in. You can also begin looking for postings outside BC in Alberta and Toronto as they will also be up soon, if not already. So, prepare your applications, sign up for a career consulting appointment to review your resume and cover letters and let me help you make this summer one to remember. I will be on campus Aug 8th (still some spots), and from Aug 17-Sep7. Also there will be a CPA Recruit interview preparation workshop on Aug 27.
Lastly, enjoy the summer too! Take your breaks, find a chair under a tree to relax a bit, take a ride in a car with the top down and make sure you take care of you. A happy and rested job seeker is a successful job seeker.
Good luck and enjoy yourself this summer!
Russell
Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and the DAP Career Coach. He will be available to meet DAP students for CPA Application Reviews and Interview Preparation during in-person coaching appointments taking place in Aug and Sep during the CPA recruiting period. He will also be delivering a workshop on Interview Preparation which will be posted and can be registered for on COOL. Or, if you are a DAP student and have career related questions or wish to book an online coaching appointment dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca