Looking for a way to gain an edge over the competition in the job market? Step up your job search during the summer, instead of slowing it down or putting it on hold.

Even with the more leisurely pace of summer, the third calendar quarter (July, August and September) has consistently accounted for about 25% of all hires annually – with an average of 17% of hiring occurring in July and August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

July and August are prime-time hiring and interviewing months for many employers. When companies get new business mid-year or later, this can collide with past-due work and both demand new hands on board immediately.

In the next two posts I’ll talk about the reasons and advantages for heating up your job search during the summer.