July is a Good Hiring Month
By Colleen Clarke
Just because the pace of life gets a little more languid in the summer months doesn't mean that businesses stop operating. Not everyone has a cottage at the lake and leaves early on Fridays. As a matter of fact, many companies are gearing up for the second half of their fiscal year and hiring up a storm as July, yes July, is the second busiest hiring month of the year.
Somehow it has always been easier to be in transition in the summer. You have the sunshine, the Vitamin D, the BBQs and tall cool ones to distract you from your frantic workplace or state of unemployment. It is easier to breathe and it is easier to think up excuses why not to get out and do advice calls and networking.
The summer is an excellent time to bump up your number of information interviews. Sure, some people are on holiday, but those who aren't are often more relaxed, like you, and more open to meeting with a caller.
Social activities abound. Attend every function you possibly can where there is a chance of meeting someone new. Wear your biggest smile with your greatest new summer outfit and take the initiative and sidle up to people and get chatting.
When approaching people for an advice call, keep in mind that you are inviting yourself into their space and time. Be organized, well researched and prepared with questions that are pertinent to your advancement as you attempt to move forward into the next stage of your work life. Some people might be too busy to talk, they may not like doing advice calls, they might not understand your intentions, or, they're just not helpful people. As a rule, people do like to help and if they can and or think they can, they usually will. When you pick up the phone to make the appointment, ask yourself, I wonder which date they will want to meet me on.
Remember to dress like you were going on an interview, which might mean panty hose ladies. Before you exit the meeting, ask if they know someone else they could suggest that would help you continue your research. Also remember to send a thank you card or note, not an email message, after your visit.
Even though it is hard sometimes to go to functions with strangers when you are unemployed, it is absolutely mandatory that you do so. Let your friends know that you are open and willing to tag along with them to where ever they are going so as to meet their contacts.
When meeting new people in a casual setting, proceed slowly, listen intently and ask questions about that person; people love talking about themselves. When it is time to share something about yourself, appear confident and focused. When you have told people where you last worked or work presently and what your specialty is, ask the networking question, Who do you know that...? or What would you suggest if you were looking to do? or How did you get started in doing what you do? or What suggestions might you have for me? Concentrate on open ended questions; they start with the five Ws: who, which, where, when, what.
Colleen Clarke is a career consultant, corporate trainer, and highly acclaimed seminar leader and public speaker in the areas of career development, transition and communication and networking who has helped over 8,000 people along their career journeys.