4 Tips to Spring into Your Fall Job Search

4 Tips to Spring into Your Fall Job Search 4 Tips to Spring into Your Fall Job Search Remember the feeling of excitement that went along with returning to school in the fall? Whether you vowed this would be the year you’d make the basketball team, were excited by finally getting the most popular teacher in school, or simply relished the possibilities inherent in a fresh box of crayons, hope sprang eternal. The same enthusiasm can be applied to your fall job search and keep you productive! Such optimism needn’t be just for the young. Fall is a great time to find your perfect job. Hiring managers who were hard to reach during peak summer vacation periods tend to be back in the office after Labor Day, and many are eager to fill spots before the winter holiday season. So shake off the dog days of summer and try the following tips to energize an autumn job hunt! Here are four tips for your fall job search success! Assess Just as an instructor spends time figuring out where students stand, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of your job search sets the foundation for progress. Perhaps you have a killer resume but a lackluster LinkedIn profile. Maybe you’ve been diligent about looking at job boards but have fallen behind on that list of interesting companies to research. Honest appraisal will provide guidance on how to proceed. Schedule The rhythm of a week often changes seasonally, so take a look at where your schedule currently stands. Kids returning to school can open up new pockets of time during the day, but evenings may now prove hectic with sports practices and homework. Create a calendar that merges both personal and professional obligations. Blocking out specific times for job-hunting activities will help you stay productive and focused. Network Before throwing away the invitation to your alma mater’s Homecoming festivities, remember that many jobs get filled before they are advertised. Working on personal connections is one of the most effective ways to improve a job hunt. “Host, entertain, and network more than you do any other season,” says Lizandra Vega, author of The Image of Success and blogger at The Career Confidante. “Think about it. The weather is perfect to ask someone to  â€˜break bread’- a morning coffee, afternoon lunch, or tea. Make new connections and cultivate existing ones.  Even if it does not generate a direct lead toward finding a job, it could be just the seed you want to plant to reap the rewards in the not-so-distant future.” Refresh Lastly, infuse your hunt with some freshness. Tinker with your elevator pitch until you feel excited about delivering it. Give a job fair or a different social media platform a try. Change your profile picture. Find a font that better reflects your personal brand. Even something as seemingly simple as a change to your interview outfit can do wonders. Vega suggests investing in one signature piece (tie, scarf, jewelry, handbag, etc.) in a color that energizes you. “This will not only have you stand out from your competition, but you will stand out from your usual self. Oftentimes, a hint of bold color within monochromatic neutrals can give you the pop of vitality you need in this tedious journey we call job searching.” Readers, are you excited about your fall job search? What tactics do you use to stay productive and successful? Share with us below!