Working in the rec2rec market, the key factor in determining the efficacy of a process is a candidate’s availability to interview. It is tough to juggle the commitments of work, home and finding a new job but there are certain times of year when it seems to become nigh on impossible to get candidates in front of clients. These are the perfect times to start your job search whether you’re a recruitment consultant or executive search professional – when clients are seeing less talent and yet still need to hire.
When are these magic times of the year? Well, we’re approaching one of them right now – the summer. If you have a holiday booked in a few weeks and think waiting until you’re back is the best thing to do, then think again. The proactive candidates are getting out there and meeting new their future employers right now. That hot desk you want is going to be taken by your colleague because you’re thinking about whether you need another pair of swim shorts or whether last season’s sandals will do this year.
Then there are the people who think they have committed to their search but get distracted by a glimpse of sunshine. Nothing gets an interview cancelled faster than a warm day and the thought of a cold gin and tonic. For some reason, candidates are happy thinking that postponing an interview for a couple of drinks on a balcony crowded with the rest of the City will not affect their chances of securing a new role.
Well, here’s the thing – it does. Ever considered that a rival candidate might interview in the slot and really hit it off with the interviewer? In a candidate short market place like recruitment to recruitment, if a client meets an 8/10 candidate who really wants the job then they’ll offer them. If you’re a 9/10 candidate who isn’t in front of a future employer – you can’t get the job.
Don’t just think that these are the only reasons the summer is a good time to look for a new role. You can get to spend your notice period leaving the office on time and enjoying some of that sunshine. You may even have a holiday during your notice period – what better way to beat the post-holiday blues by having a brand new job to start return?
Then, of course, there is the holy grail – gardening leave. Do you want to spend four weeks dining al fresco, enjoying a cool glass of wine or two during the long, warm evenings of July or August, safe in the knowledge you can have a nice lie in the next day? Or would you prefer to wait to look for a new role in September and spend four weeks of October looking out at the rain trying to find something else on Netflix to binge on?
So, if you’re looking for a great time to start your job search then right now is that time. You can quite literally get in ahead of the competition.
