[Updated September 2019]
Summertime…. And the living is easy… Or so the classic song goes.
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The diploma’s not even in the frame yet and you’ve got that big ominous cloud labeled “job search” hanging over your head.
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Tempting as it might be, I don’t recommend you put off your job search until the fall.
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Once you get deep into fall it’s nearly the holidays and then people aren’t hiring yadda yadda yadda. And before you know it it’s next year.
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But if you’re convinced it’s the thing for you, at least consider some productive work avoidance. I know. It sounds contradictory, but let’s take a look.
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Then, figure out what actions you’ll line up for the summer, as you productively avoid your job search.
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Here are 10 easy things you can do this summer to get ready for your fall job search launch.
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1. Clear the clutter.
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Go through the college detritus you brought home from school. Keep, toss, file. Start making the transition from college to career.
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Clearing the clutter from the past helps you to prepare for your new beginning.
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2. Plan your professional wardrobe.
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Look at what you have, think about what you need. Browse magazines, blogs, Pinterest and Instagram.
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Then in the fall you can start shopping. A fun way to kick off your job search.
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3. Create a dedicated workspace where you live.
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After you’ve cleared out the college clutter, set up your new office. Make it attractive and easy to see yourself working in once you get serious. Get a wall calendar, notebook, and a nice pen.
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Buy some cool sticky notes and office tools from a big box and own your new space. This will help you get mentally prepared for the job search.
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4. Get business cards printed and carry them with you.
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Make sure they include your name, phone, professional email (not a .edu – unless the school is top drawer – or a partyguy23@gmail.com type of email). Don’t forget to include your LinkedIn url.
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Then maybe include some keywords about your personal brand or value statement. You’ll have them just in case you find yourself accidentally networking in line at Starbucks.
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5. Dip your toe in the networking water.
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Many Young Professional organizations focus on social activities over the summer. Think baseball games and rooftop bands. Find one in your area and commit to one or two.
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It’s a no pressure situation. And it’ll help you visualize yourself making the transition to early career. (Don’t forget your business cards! )
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6. Schedule a couple of things each week.
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Think piano lessons or golf games. Get used to putting things on your calendar, and then showing up for them consistently.
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This will help you keep a time management rhythm. When you go to start your job search, you’ll be used to having things on your calendar.
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7. Keep a journal.
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Take time to reflect on the transition from college. Delve into your creative side. Write stream of consciousness a couple of times per week. See what your inner thoughts tell you. It might give you inspiration to reflect back on once you start the job search.
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8. Watch 10 shows about the workplace.
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What better way to prepare for your job search. : )
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Whether it’s Office Space, The Wolf of Wall Street, Silicon Valley, or Up in the Air, get connected to workplace stories. It’ll keep you in a workplace mindset, and hopefully make you laugh at times as well.
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If you want to go on the dark side, watch some old Breaking Bad episodes, or mull over how you would fare in the Mad Men world.
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9. Stay in touch with out of area college friends.
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It’s easy to hang with the folks you live around. Also work to stay in touch with college friends that are no longer near you.
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Keep connections warm over the summer. It’s relationship building practice, and it’ll help you feel like you’ve got a community, even if they aren’t right around you.
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10. Enjoy a foofy umbrella drink by the pool.
Because that’s what summers are for.
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So, as promised, none of that is heavy job search lifting, it is?
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But it’s all intended to start getting you ready to shift once the fall arrives. Well, most are anyway..
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This blog was published previously and updated in September 2019.
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