Make the most of the September surge

September surge is here! Tips for employees and employers during hiring season. 

As summer draws to a close, employees and employers return to their routines well-rested and ready to achieve their goals.  

For job seekers, this can mean finding their next career-defining opportunity. For employers, that could mean the start of building a strong team to help meet their annual objectives. Fortunately, the post-summer period is prime time for both to happen.

When is hiring season?

While many believe peak hiring months are only at the start of a New Year, the term “September surge” proves otherwise. The September hiring surge refers to a spike in job openings that occurs during the year’s fourth quarter.

Keep reading to learn how you can remain productive and competitive for the remainder of the year, whether you’re embarking on a job search or candidate search.  

Skip to job search tips

Hiring tips for employers and hiring managers

Prioritize the most in-demand roles

Some vacancies may require urgent attention. For example, if a key team member resigned before a busy period or is going on leave soon, hiring someone to pick up the slack (and quickly) is crucial.  

When determining key roles, carefully evaluate your business needs. Do you need someone now? Is it better to hire an interim replacement? Or do you have the scope to wait and hold out for a more permanent position? Once that’s locked in, up next is identifying which professionals will help meet those needs and your overall goals.

Craft accurate job descriptions

The job description is one of the first interactions candidates will have with your open role. Clearly communicate the essential qualifications, your company culture, and other details, including pay, benefits, and applicable deadlines.

Got one ready? Upload your job description.

Refine your hiring process

Now you’ve nailed down your key roles and their requirements, it’s time to begin the hiring process. If you want to attract top talent, be sure to keep them engaged during and between interviews. While multi-step hiring processes are often necessary, unprofessionalism, such as ghosting candidates, is not.  

Instead, maintain transparency and communication at every stage. After all, hiring is a two-way street! You’ll lose out on quality candidates if you’re not respectful of their time and effort.  

Partner with a recruitment agency

Hiring is a time-consuming task. If your day-to-day responsibilities are pulling your attention, enlisting the help of experts is key.  

Michael Page recruiters are proficient in placing candidates across various roles and industries throughout the U.S. Explore our expertise or get in touch to start a conversation about your hiring needs.  

Job search tips for job seekers

Refresh application materials

Update your resume with your most recent skills, experiences, and qualifications. Bear in mind you may need to slightly tailor your resume to jobs you apply for. However, if you’re applying for similar roles, this shouldn’t be a heavy lift.

At this stage, it’s also worthwhile identifying the story you want to tell employers, including why you left or are planning to leave your most recent role. Consider what makes you the perfect fit for the position you’re aiming for, the solution to employers’ challenges. Then, clearly communicate your unique selling point across your application materials and at every stage of the interview process.

Polish your online presence

Today, job seekers’ online presence plays a crucial role in their job search.  

As part of your preparation for a busy hiring season, don’t forget to refresh your profiles on job platforms. Edit your bio, headline, and work experience to reflect the job you want. Doing so will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to find you while also enhancing your personal brand.  

Additionally, if you have an online portfolio, update it with your latest work to showcase on your profiles and resume.

Network: It's all about who you know

While your qualifications are important, sometimes you need a boost to help you cross the finish line. In these cases, networking is crucial.

Now that people are returning from PTO, use this time to reach out to warm connections you know through social media, networking events, or your past employment. They might have information on potential job opportunities and could even refer you to decision makers.  

While job referrals don’t guarantee you the role or an interview, they can certainly open doors. If a hiring manager’s trusted colleague can vouch for your skills, your chances of scoring an interaction increase significantly. Remember, familiarity breeds fondness!  

Prep for interviews

With updated application materials and network conversations in the pipeline, you should start dusting off your interview skills.

Some best practices for interview prep include:

• Practice common interview questions related to the role
• Study the company you’re interviewing with to reinforce your interest
• Consume content, such as books, podcasts, and articles, related to your field (and learn how to organically mention them in interviews!)

Diversify where you look for jobs

Don’t limit yourself by sticking to one job search platform. Instead, optimize the September surge by making yourself visible on multiple job boards and increase the number of opportunities you come across.

At Michael Page, top companies partner with us to source and secure candidates. Ensure you’re one of them by uploading your resume to our site. You can also browse our open roles, which span various industries, locations, and experience levels. Your dream job is waiting for you—it's your move!