As highlighted in the Girlboss newsletter, where Style Nine to Five regularly contributes, we’re excited to share one of our top work tips of the week. At Style Nine to Five, our mission is to help you excel in the competitive job market. Founder Christie Lohr offers actionable advice to ensure your resume reflects your best professional self and grabs the attention of potential employers. Keep an eye out for more expert tips that can make a real difference in your career journey.
Style Nine to Five’s Work Tip:
How to make the most of your job search during the August slowdown. Summer is prime vacation time, meaning hiring managers and recruiters are enjoying their PTO while job-seekers are faced with a lack of postings and delayed hiring processes—also known as the August slowdown. While it’s tempting to put your job search on the back burner until September, career expert Christie Lohr of Style Nine to Five shares tips for staying productive and taking advantage of this quiet time, so you’re ready to pounce on those fall job postings.
1. Focus on professional development.
Want to take a course, add a certification to your resume, or learn a new skill? Now’s the time to advance your knowledge in Adobe, Canva or Excel—whatever skills will level up your qualifications. When job hunting is in full force, it can be hard to carve out time for learning, so act now while everyone else is OOO.
To get started, consider exploring some of these resources:
• Online Certifications That Will Level Up Your Resume: This article discusses various online certifications that can enhance your resume and career prospects.
• Fashion Industry Certifications and Courses to Level Up Your Skills: If you’re in the fashion industry, this post covers essential certifications and courses to help you stand out.
• 6 Types of Courses to Take to Upgrade Your Career Skills: For a broader perspective, this article provides a list of courses that can help upgrade your career skills.
2. Update your application assets.
Doing time-consuming things like refreshing your resume, updating all the sections on your LinkedIn profile, or putting together an updated portfolio can sometimes feel impossible. Fortunately, the slow summer season is the perfect time to tackle these tasks. Don’t forget to update your personal website if you have one—it’s a great way to showcase your work and achievements.
Refresh Your Resume and Portfolio
A well-organized and up-to-date resume is crucial. For some fresh ideas, check out the blog post 4 Ways to Modernize Your Resume, which offers tips on updating your resume’s design, adding new sections, and using clickable links to showcase your work directly in your resume.
Similarly, your portfolio should be an easy-to-navigate showcase of your best work. As the article 3 Strategic Ways to Showcase Data & Metrics in Your Job Application suggests, including metrics and specific examples of your achievements can significantly enhance your portfolio.
Update Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is often your first point of contact with recruiters, so make sure it’s working for you. The post 8 Steps to Maximizing Your LinkedIn Profile offers practical tips on optimizing your profile, including how to craft a compelling headline, customize your URL, and include a portfolio of your work directly on your profile.
Leverage Style Nine to Five’s Career Services
If updating these elements feels overwhelming, consider taking advantage of Style Nine to Five’s career services. Services like resume reviews, LinkedIn profile refreshes, and portfolio development are designed to help you put your best foot forward in the job market.
3. Stay connected.
New job listings might be sparse, but recruiters are still active on LinkedIn. Liking posts, commenting, and staying visible keeps you on their radar. Connect with the hiring manager of your dream company (more on that here) or reach out to recruiters, even if they’re not actively hiring. When they are, you might just be the first person they think of. Use this time to build and strengthen your network.
Engage and Stay Active on LinkedIn
Even if job postings seem sparse, staying active on LinkedIn can keep you visible to recruiters and hiring managers. According to the blog post Three Ways to Use LinkedIn to Up Your Job Search Game, engaging with posts, commenting on industry-related content, and sharing your own insights can significantly enhance your visibility. This activity positions you as an engaged and knowledgeable professional, which can attract the attention of potential employers.
Mastering Cold Outreach on LinkedIn
Building connections with hiring managers and recruiters, even when they’re not actively hiring, can be a strategic move. The post How To Write Easy Cold Outreach Emails and LinkedIn Messages offers practical tips on how to craft personalized LinkedIn messages that create genuine connections. This proactive approach can ensure that when a hiring opportunity arises, you’re the first person they think of.
Leveraging LinkedIn’s Features to Stay Connected
The article 8 Essential Strategies for Looking for a Job on LinkedIn emphasizes the importance of using LinkedIn’s networking features to stay connected. Whether it’s personalizing connection requests or participating in LinkedIn groups, these actions can help expand your professional network and keep you on the radar of industry professionals.