If you are on the hunt for a new job, there’s never been a better time to search for new opportunities than in September. 

The ‘September surge’, as it’s known, is a phrase that has been used in American corporate vocabulary for years, but it’s crossed the Atlantic largely thanks to social media, where it’s giving us all an opportunity to talk about the subject of job hunting.

In the US, September surge describes the increase in job hunting and job vacancies posted between Labor Day (the first Monday in September) and Halloween (31 October). Although originating in the US, the UK job market follows a similar pattern. 

Indeed, data from Gumtree confirms July and August to be traditionally much slower in terms of the numbers of people replying to job listings. However, fast forward to September, and there’s a sharp uptick in the number of jobs advertised and the interest from prospective employees. Meanwhile, the number of replies to job listings increased from 13% between July and September and 16% between July and October.

So, why does it happen?

Well according to Jill Cotton, career trends expert at Gumtree, September has always been a period of starting fresh. “For many employees, particularly those with school-aged children, the summer months offer the perfect opportunity to get much-needed extended time out of the office,” she tells Stylist. “Thoughts of your next career step are naturally overshadowed by the excitement of planning a holiday and the opportunity to disconnect from work. When the sun is shining and your social schedule is packed, taking time to effectively and efficiently hunt for a new role will seem less appealing.

“Many companies will advertise fewer roles as they know the best talent might be on holiday and could potentially miss the listing, and it can also be challenging to schedule interviews if key team members are out of the office – running the risk of lengthy interview processes that can leave candidates disengaged and unhappy. So, September signals the start of the new term and, with it, fresh thinking.”

The surge is a very good thing if you are currently scoping new opportunities and Cotton says there are many ways to use this period to your advantage.

Firstly, Cotton advises you to reflect on your current situation before making any drastic moves. “A one or two-week summer holiday can offer the perfect opportunity to reflect on your current role,” she explains. “Consider whether you are genuinely happy and enjoy your position. If the dread of returning to work is palpable, analyse what makes you unhappy in your role. Do the culture and values of your employer align with your own? Is the work challenging enough? Is the job path at your company clear? Being honest with your current situation will help you understand whether you need to look for a new opportunity.”

If you decide to vacate your current role, the next step is to update your CV. Cotton explains: “Once you know what you want from your next job, recharge your CV with your latest work experience and refresh your professional profiles, such as LinkedIn, to highlight the skills needed to attract recruiters for your desired role.”

Just because there are jobs available, doesn’t mean you have to apply for all of them. “Be selective in the roles you apply to, and always tailor each application,” Cotton notes.  “This approach will show your passion for the individual company and shows the hiring manager how your skills match those in the job spec. This makes your application stand out from the competition.”

Take some time to improve your interview skills. “There may be more job opportunities in September, but remember, competition from other job hunters is also increased,” Cotton says. “Know how to sell yourself in an interview by practising common interview questions and ensuring your latest work successes trip off your tongue. To get the role you want, you need to show the interviewer you are the only person for the job.”

Finally, always follow up. “The September surge is a busy time for hiring managers, so stand out by sending follow-up emails after every interview stage and ensure it goes to the right person,” Cotton advises. “Include any pertinent information from the conversation and show your eagerness to work for the company.”

Images: Getty