Some of the benefits of heating up your search during summer include:

Timing: July begins the third business quarter for many companies, and others start their fiscal years in July. Some have budgeted to hire additional people and are looking for qualified candidates now.

Less competition. Fewer people will generally be competing for available jobs. There is a misconception that hiring ceases or businesses shut down the entire summer. Hiring managers are taking shorter vacations, especially in an economy when every sale matters, and then it’s back to business, including filling vacancies and adding staff.

Just-in-time hiring. Many employers are now implementing “just in time hiring.” Similar to the same approach used in inventory, employers are carrying a smaller inventory of people. When the need arises, they begin the hiring process, even during summer.

Fewer distractions. Summer’s quieter pace affords managers more time to concentrate on candidates.

In the next post I’ll look at some strategies and tactics for your summer job search.