Keep your career transition momentum going this summer
By Jim Wiederhold
In a typical year, I tell my clients to anticipate a slow-down in their career transition momentum during the summer months. But this year, this may not be the case. During the unpredictability of COVID, many professionals chose to stay in their current jobs, even if it wasn’t the right fit. With hiring and economic activity picking back up, it seems that people are now poised to make some changes and move on.
I can’t say what will happen with the job market this summer, but here is some advice to keep you moving forward in your transition journey.
Prioritize rest (if you can).
After a year of cancelled vacations and working from home, people are eager to enjoy travel and relaxation with their loved ones.
So many people leave paid time off on the table, but I believe there needs to be a better balance of work and play this year. Families need to get out there and experience what we’ve missed over the past 18 months. To be healthy moving forward, you need to prioritize your personal life, mental health, and taking care of yourself. Coming out of these hard months, that is the most important thing.
However, I recognize that some do not have this option, and are in a situation where they need to find the next opportunity—and soon. In that case, you can still keep the momentum going even in the summer moths.
Invest in relationships.
A successful career (and a full life) is relationship-driven. When you’re in a slow season, it’s always wise to invest in your network. Many people don’t realize this, but only 30% of jobs are found through ads or recruiters. 70% of the job market is not advertised and is found through your network.
