3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Take the Summer Off

In Canada, the end of June typically ushers in a halcyon period where big projects and hiring decisions slow down in favour of the Fall.  Job hunters also wonder if Fall is a better time of the year to look for a job or advance their career. Scheduling interviews can be challenging for both companies and candidates as they compete with cottage dates and vacations. However, this perceived seasonality may be dated, reflecting a pre-pandemic era.

While Statistics Canada reported a record high unemployment rate of 13.7% in May, signs of the rebound are emerging. As governments gradually lift restrictions linked to COVID-19, the summer of 2020 is an ideal time to accelerate your activity and to strategize where you have opportunities that could put you ahead of your competition in a post-COVID reality.

Here are some reasons to keep the pedal down:

For companies who are hiring:

1. Oversupply of talent – Furloughs and job eliminations triggered by COVID-19 have created a unique situation.  An increased number of job applicants are favourable for hiring companies. Not only can you source depth and volume of candidates, but this can be your opportunity to augment your talent pools and position your organization to meet future needs.
2. Flexible solutions – In many cases this surge in the talent pool is a result of jobs being eliminated. Therefore, candidates are available immediately and hiring companies can identify start dates without the typical waiting period related to resignations. However, flexibility is a two-way street:  you should be prepared to offer flexible work arrangements until a return to the workplace can be realized.
3. August is closer than you think – For companies on a fiscal calendar year, planning for 2021 will “kick off” in late summer as budget submissions are due in the Fall.  Any open roles should be identified now, and a recruitment strategy should be put in place to ensure teams are fully in place and operational for the planning phase.  It’s always optimal that your employees “own” their 2021 plans by authoring them.

For job hunters:

1. Some industries are hiring to meet COVID-19 demand – It should be no surprise that while some companies were negatively impacted by the pandemic, others flourished.  Video games, household cleaners, in-home workout products, meat alternatives, personal safety products, eCommerce retailers, and workplace communication platforms are all booming. Some companies transformed their business models, even forming new strategic partnerships to deliver what Canadians needed during the crisis. Do the homework by researching and networking in these sectors and categories.
2. Strengthen your profile – Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said “The first question every interviewer is going to ask you is:  What did you learn during the pandemic of 2020?”. Job seekers have a golden opportunity to maximize this time for online learning, certifications, and upskilling.  Assessing where you need to brush up on your skills or finally planning your career pivot are considerable reasons to invest in yourself.
3. Don’t stop applying for jobs – LinkedIn publishes a regular column of “Who’s hiring in Canada” that’s worth staying on top of. Follow hashtags #CoronaVirusHiring, #NowHiring, and #StillHiring on LinkedIn to ensure timely updates to your feed.   Staying active in your search and being well-informed over the summer months puts you in the best position to respond to opportunities.

The team at Four Corners Group is actively working on job searches and candidate sourcing. We are poised to meet your needs in the coming months.  What is your summer plan?  What steps will you take over these critical months? Let’s connect and continue the conversation.