We’re recruitment experts – here are our top tips for landing the perfect job during the ‘September surge’

Recruitment experts have revealed their top tips for finding a job during the ‘September peak’.

According to industry experts, September is one of the busiest times of the year for businesses, and for job seekers, it can also be the best time to start looking for a job.

Chanelle Howell, a New York-based corporate recruiter and career advisor, encourages job seekers in a TikTok video to use the start of the season to polish their resumes and prepare for a killer interview.

“If you’ve been looking for a job and haven’t been able to find one, pay attention because September is a huge spike in job seekers,” she said.

She explained that companies can have more money left in September because of the month of September in the year. They could choose to spend the money on hiring staff.

And now that the summer holidays are over for most people, many recruiters are sitting back at their desks to start recruiting staff for the new season.

“It’s halfway through Q3, jobs are realizing they haven’t spent their entire budget, all the executives are coming back from vacation,” Chanelle explains.

Chanelle advises job seekers to always have a good CV at hand and to make the most of your LinkedIn profile. This will increase the chance that recruiters will notice you.

“Make sure your LinkedIn is fully optimized so recruiters can easily find you and the algorithm puts your profile at the top,” she advised.

She urged job seekers to make the most of the period and start looking now.

If you already have a job, optimizing your LinkedIn account can sometimes make it appear as if you are actively looking for a new job.

For example, the network site offers users the opportunity to add the text #OpenToWork to their profile photo.

To avoid your current employer noticing you, Chanelle recommends simply disabling this feature. However, you can still optimize other elements of the site, such as sufficient background information and a strong network.

“There’s nothing wrong with optimizing your LinkedIn! There are also settings that really hide your ‘open to work,’” she suggested.

Once your resume has been noticed by an employer, the next step is to nail the interview. Once you’ve reached that stage, Cicely Ward from Embryo, a digital marketing agency, has shared her top tips for wowing your next potential employer.

1. Ask the right questions

While it may sound obvious, asking the right questions during a job interview is essential to ensuring you stick in the minds of employers.

As with any conversation, it should be a two-way street and you should try to ask plenty of questions about the company, the position, and your future there.

“By asking questions like, ‘What learning and development opportunities are there to help the team excel?’ and ‘What does a typical day look like?’ you show that you care about the role and want to know how you fit into the company,” Cicely advises.

Good questions to ask to learn more about the company’s structure and culture include: “Can you tell me more about how the teams within the company work together?” and “How would you describe the company culture in three words?”

In addition to creating a high-quality block of questions, she also advised candidates to ask what else they could do to secure the position.

2. Prepare yourself

Whether you’re practicing in front of your roommate, your mom, or the mirror, Cicely said, “Make sure you can succinctly explain your previous experience and show how it’s relevant to the role and job description being advertised.

“This takes the guesswork out of hiring managers because you’re clearly demonstrating how your skills and experience match the role,” she said.

‘It’s always worth having some examples of your work prepared, so that you can back up what you say with evidence. Anyone can call themselves a team player or leader, but having some examples of how you’ve put this into practice can help demonstrate the impact of your work.’

In addition to practicing the perfect pitch, Cicely advises job seekers to do some research on the company they are applying to.

“Not only will this confirm whether the role is a good fit for you, but if you can demonstrate that you are up-to-date on the direction the company is going, their core values, and the latest news, you will likely impress the hiring manager.”

3. Feel confident

When you look good, you feel good. Showing the best version of yourself can help you get on the recruiters’ yes list.

Cicely advised choosing a fitting, yet comfortable ensemble.

“Always dress appropriately, and in something that makes you feel good, so you feel comfortable,” she said.

‘A few minutes before your interview, it’s best to practice a power pose. This will boost your confidence and put you in the right mindset,’ she added.

4. Previous experiences

Cicely advised to always avoid coming across negatively about past experiences, no matter how difficult they were.

“When talking about your past experiences, it’s important not to be too negative as this can be off-putting to a recruiter who may think you don’t have the right attitude to seize the opportunity and select another candidate,” says Cicely.

‘Instead, you should talk about positive experiences you’d like to have in your next role, and what exactly you’re looking for and what’s important to you in order to feel fulfilled at work.

‘You’re not here to make friends, so don’t talk too much to the interviewer as that might come across as too informal.’

“It’s also important to remember that this is a job interview, not just a chat with a friend. Therefore, it’s best to avoid asking questions about company or industry gossip.”

5. Consider sending a follow-up email

Before you leave the interview, it’s a good idea to find out when you can expect the results of your application.

“If the recruiter doesn’t automatically tell you, make sure you ask. Not only will this put your mind at ease and keep anxiety at bay, but it will also make you seem excited and keen to get into the role,” says Cicely.

However, if this conversation does not take place or the recruiter cannot give you an answer, we recommend that you contact them 4 to 5 days after the interview to show your enthusiasm.

“This time frame gives the company enough time to make a decision and ensures you stay ahead of the curve.”

6. Pay attention to the language

Cicely recommends using phrases like, “I look forward to…” and “I will use my strengths in this way…”. This shows that you are confident in your abilities and excited to take on the role.

She added: ‘Don’t forget to consider your body language too, as this goes a long way in helping you appear confident. Sit up straight and make eye contact when you speak, and also try to avoid using filler words like ‘uh’ or ‘I think.’