September is a potential month for job seekers to improve their chances of finding their dream job. The September Surge, which occurs after Labor Day, is a significant hiring period as employers head into the holiday season and need more help. This surge lasts less than two months, as companies are ready to hire before the holidays and employees take vacations in November and December.
TDJ Consulting strategic success and workplace wellness coach Tramelle D. Jones agrees that most companies freeze or slow hiring in late October, and many employees take vacations in November and December, making September a rush to hire and onboard new hires. To prepare for the September Surge, job seekers should focus on proving their performance with numbers, putting their best achievements at the top of their resume, and reconsidering what employers (not you) value most.
Cristin Downs, a career pivot executive coach in New York City, advises applicants to ensure that every point on their resume matches employer needs by reviewing 10-12 job postings in their desired role to determine what matters. Prioritize job duties, skills, qualifications, personal traits, and software, and include what matters and exclude everything else.
Convince them that joining their team will yield results by answering three questions in your resume: 1) Increased something good (like leads, applications, calls returned daily or weekly, client upsells, etc.), 2) Decreased something negative (missed appointments, bad Google reviews, client cancellations, etc.), and 3) Did you improve a process with a clear goal (for instance, changing a communication plan increased participation).
In summary, September is a crucial month for job seekers to optimize their resume, LinkedIn, and LinkedIn profiles to increase their chances of finding a job during the September Surge.
To optimize your LinkedIn profile and control the algorithm, it is recommended to redesign it over the weekend. This involves telling the same story on your resume and profile, changing the story if you switch industries, using visuals that showcase your transferable skills and experience, and using AI to help you create a more appealing profile.
When building your LinkedIn profile, it is important to share your desired job titles, locations, start dates, and employment types with recruiters. You can also upload your resume and share it with recruiters under “Application Settings” in the jobs tab.
Discuss innovation in the industry by getting chatty with other industry members in your desired field and sharing and commenting on the latest innovations. Highlight an article about modern talent practices that foster innovation and pull out your favorite tip, add something that’s missing, or offer a different perspective showing your style, unique way of problem-solving, or any other ways you would make a mark by showing up as authentically yourself.
To hide your job search from your current employer, select “Recruiters Only” in your job preferences and follow companies you want to work with. You can upload your resume and share it with recruiters under “Application Settings” in the jobs tab.
Add a new headshot to your profile, either at your alma mater or pay for a professional photoshoot. St. Charles, Illinois career coach Ann Runkle recommends using a good quality photo for your profile that is easy to see.
Complete all sections of your profile, including the ‘About’ section, which should highlight your professional experience and be personable. Add professional media, articles, links, case studies, or a resume to reinforce your personal brand. Post, comment, connecting, and sharing in the ‘Activity’ section shows professional and platform engagement. In the ‘Experience’ section, use bullet points to list job duties and include the company logo (if the company has a LinkedIn page). Be transparent and correct the school name in the ‘Education’ section. List only relevant licenses in the ‘Licenses & Certifications’ section, adding the Series 7 license to show your finance knowledge and accomplishments.
Lastly, make your profile easily accessible by hyperlinking as many details as possible and making your phone number, email address, and resume visible. Avoid guessing employers about your skills and add 50 options to your profile.
