6 Hot Tips for a Productive Job Search This Summer

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Summer is officially here. All Alaina can think about is weekend barbecues, trips to the beach, camping with friends — and of course, her looming job search.

Alaina is a recent college graduate. Even though she spent much of the spring semester searching tirelessly for a job, she’s still hunting for the right fit.

Now summer is here, Alaina is finding it difficult to stay focused on her job search. She’s worried Labor Day will arrive and she will still be jobless.

Who can blame Alaina when the sunshine is so inviting, and almost everyone has summer vacation on the brain? No one wants to stay inside all day and search for jobs when the pool is calling.

Even though it’s easy to get distracted by the sunshine and warm weather, don’t let the dog days of summer slow down your job search. Use these job search tips to keep your job search hot all summer long:

1. Make small changes to your daily routine.

Sitting around all day without a schedule is an easy way to let the summer days slip away. Hold yourself accountable this summer by forming positive habits that keep you and your job search on track.

Set a productive tone for the day by waking up 30 minutes earlier than usual. Use this time to eat a healthy breakfast, go for a refreshing walk around the block or spend time journaling about your career goals. After you’ve eased into your morning, dive into your job search by writing a cover letter or two.

2. Time-block your schedule.

We all know how easy it is to get sucked into hours of scrolling through job boards or falling deep into the LinkedIn rabbit hole. But when you optimize the time dedicated toward your job search, you’ll have more time later in the day to soak up the sun.

Time-blocking is a strategy that allows you to designate an amount of time to a specific task. For example, schedule 30 minutes for checking emails, 30 minutes for job searching, an hour for crafting cover letters and an hour for submitting job applications.

You’ll be surprised at how much you can conquer when you use your time wisely.

3. Take your job search outside.

Fresh air and a little Vitamin D from the sun can do wonders for your mind and boost creativity. In fact, a 2016 Scientific Reports study found spending 30 minutes outside can reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing.

Take your job search to your patio or head to a coffee shop with outdoor seating. Use this time outside to soak up the sun while writing cover letters and resumes or filling out job applications. The change of scenery can spark new ideas and allow you to keep your job search game strong.

4. Schedule time for fun.  

Just because you are job searching all summer doesn’t mean you can’t make time to play. Plan a day trip to the beach or go to a baseball game for a break from your job search. After a day of fun in the sun, schedule an hour in the evening to pick up where you left off with a refreshed approach to your job search.

5. Read a book.

If you can’t bring your laptop to the beach, why not bring a book instead to expand your mind and explore your career goals?

Reading self-help or career exploration books like Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life or Linchpin are helpful reads that challenge you to explore the big picture and provide ideas for designing a career you love. Remember to apply the lessons learned to your job search.

6. Step away from the computer.

A 2016 Nielsen report found the average U.S. adult spends 10 hours and 39 minutes each day consuming media. Instead of hiding behind your laptop as you search for jobs, switch things up by scheduling a walking meeting with your mentor or hit up a local networking event.

Summer is ripe for networking opportunities. From weekend barbeques to outdoor concerts, there’s always a chance you will connect with someone who could open the door to new career opportunities. Be prepared to network wherever you go this summer, even if it’s just a family reunion or happy hour meetup.

Don’t procrastinate the summer away and put your job search on the back burner. By incorporating some of these job search tips into your summer routine, you will keep your job search strong while enjoying all the warm weather and sunshine the summer has to offer.

How are you using the summer months to tackle your job search?