ClearRock

BOSTON - Although hiring usually slows down in the summertime, job-hunters who take things easier this summer will be missing out on the recent increase in demand for employees - especially for those in areas that, after a four-year decline, are finally beginning to recover somewhat, such as financial, management, marketing, public relations, and information technology, according to ClearRock, an executive coaching and outplacement firm headquartered in Boston.

"It will be more important for job-hunters to continue their job-search campaigns this summer than any summer since the 1990s due to improved hiring activity and employers who are gearing up for a better business climate in the fall," said Anne Hawley Stevens, managing partner for ClearRock.

Job-hunters should continue their searches this summer for the following reasons, according to ClearRock:

• A recent increase in hiring. "In addition to continued demand for employees in sectors that held up better during the recession - such as health care and pharmaceutical - hiring in sectors that had been slower performers has begun to pick up," said Greg Gostanian, managing partner for ClearRock. These include financial, management, marketing, public relations, and information technology positions. "There will no doubt be some decrease in hiring during the summer, but this summer is shaping up as the busiest in the past four years."
• Employers are gearing up for an even better business climate in the fall. "Many companies have new fiscal years that begin in June and July, and have already budgeted for additional positions. The interview process for many of these jobs will begin during the summer, and it's important to get out in front of these potential employers," said Stevens.
• Fewer people will be competing for available jobs. "Despite the recent improved hiring, many people traditionally take the summer off from job-hunting to relax. There is a misguided idea that few people get hired during the summer. After vacations are out of the way, many managers get right back to business as usual, and this includes filling vacancies and adding staff," said Gostanian. "Most businesses don't take the entire summer off."
• It may be easier to arrange networking meetings as business slows during the summer. "Face-to-face networking remains the most effective job-search method, accounting for more than 70 percent of successful job searches, and is the best way to uncover the 80 percent of job openings that are never advertised," said Stevens. "You will probably have to fit in with people's vacation schedules, but again, most people aren't away for the entire summer." Also, you may find it easier to network with people who were too busy earlier in the year.
• Increase your response to positions posted on the Internet and in the newspaper. "Although answering ads on the Internet and in the newspaper should continue to take a relatively small percentage of your job-search time - with networking remaining No. 1Ñ increase it to about 20% or so of your time to take advantage of less competition," said Gostanian.
• Summertime activities present additional networking opportunities. "Picnics, barbecues, and beach parties are excellent summertime networking opportunities," said Gostanian. "Network with people you meet while on vacation, and people you socialize with at your regular summertime destinations. Plan your vacation around potential places to which you'd like to relocate, get a better feel for these areas, and network with people during these trips."