It’s officially summer in this part of the globe, I feel increased energy from longer 'days'. The warm weather inspires me to seek more time outside. And downtime! If you’re a parent or employed in education you may also be recovering from the jam-packed end-of-school year calendar. I am all for enjoying the summer and taking breaks (at all times of the year).
If you are contemplating a career change it can be tempting to put your career transition efforts on hold until fall rolls around again. Whether you are actively in a job search or have started the process of clarifying what you want next, I encourage you to take the time to rest and rejuvenate in ways that give you pleasure and to find ways to keep your transition project moving forward – into change ;)
Consider these summertime tips:
Reflect on Your Priorities & Your Relationship to work
How would a career change impact your future?
The extra relaxation of summer provides valuable headspace to reflect. Set aside time to ask yourself some important questions: What’s your relationship with the career/work you have now? Is that the relationship you want? What would a career change bring to your life that you don’t already have? Why are those things important to you? Instead of chasing roles that don't truly inspire you...
Reflect deeply on transition goals and whether they resonate with your core values.
This self-awareness keeps you grounded.
Get Professional Development Out of the Way.
If you plan to go back to school or take skills training courses as part of your transition, summer can be an ideal time to check those off your list before the busy-ness of Fall hits. Having those achievements under your belt can boost your confidence and credentials.
Experiment.
If you envision making a major change like going freelance or starting your own business, summer offers low-stakes flexibility to experiment with different work patterns and schedules. Adjusting your hours can simulate an entrepreneurial lifestyle. Or, cook up a career experiment that may or may not involve volunteering, part-time work, or a special project.
Take Advantage of Hiring Managers' Availability.
While overall hiring may slow slightly in summer, the people hiring are often more available for AIR conversations** and networking when their teams and clients are on vacation. This can be a great time to connect with key contacts or catch up with previous contacts without the usual time pressure.
Stay Visible.
People leave their jobs at every time of the year. Some industries like tourism, hospitality, construction, and agriculture are busiest during these months. If you want to work remotely for companies headquartered in another part of the world it's not summer there! Staying proactive in your search prevents you from missing great opportunities that could come along unexpectedly.
Judy Garfinkel helps you clarify "what's next." Her expertise in building confidence and resilience supports personal development and the ability to navigate career and work transitions – especially now! She is a PCC and certified Trauma Informed Coach. Judy also crafts bespoke resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and bios that open doors for her clients and land jobs. Judy is a Past President of the International Coaching Federation - Connecticut Chapter, where she led 250+ member coaches. You can reach her at judy@moveintochange.com.
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