Take advantage of the September Surge

The summer holiday period has, sadly, come to an end. Any leftover annual leave allowance you have is likely thin on the ground; you’re probably starting to notice a chill in the air as you embark on your morning commute, and watching the evenings darken sooner than before. It’s September, and you’re facing the bleakest months of the year at your current nine to five.

Or are you? Could the grass, in fact, be greener on the other side?

September has traditionally been seen as a good time of year to search for a new role, as the job market tends to experience a boost after the 'summer slowdown'. This increase in job vacancies – and jobseekers, as people take this time to reflect on their careers – is referred to as the September Surge: a term first coined in the US, which has now seen traction in the UK.

Prime time to job search

It’s clear to see that September is a favoured month for many jobseekers. In our recent LinkedIn poll, we found that over half (56%) of people think September is the perfect month to look for a new job, while less than a third (29%) think the month is unimportant and 15% remain undecided.

But what are the driving factors for this? Out of those who are planning on finding a new job this September, 40% cited wanting a job by the new year as their main motivator and 12% said they were too busy during the summer months. Another reason was the belief that there would be a greater number of vacancies, with over a third (35%) of voters selecting this option.

A candidates’ market

Typically, September is a busy month for the labour market, not only due to activity picking up post-summer, but also because organisations have a clearer idea of how much budget they have for hiring purposes as the year-end approaches. You might be unsure if this will be the case this September, in light of the unemployment rate being 4.2%, but we’re still seeing just shy of one million job vacancies currently live. 

Yes, unemployment has crept up since 2022, but it’s important to remember that the unemployment rate of 3.7% was the joint lowest on record (along with 1973 and 1974). The post-Covid bounce back and mass hiring-freeze lift meant that 2022 was an exceptional time for jobseekers. It’s misleading to solely compare statistics to a record-breaking year; 2024 is still a candidate’s market and 4.2% unemployment certainly falls below the historical average. 

What’s more, vacancies are still higher than they were pre-pandemic and they have fallen more slowly in recent months than in 2023, so although the job market may not be as buoyant as 2022, there certainly will be a September Surge and ample opportunities for those seeking their next career move.

For the best chance at getting a new job during the September Surge, it’s important that you stand out from the crowd. Follow these top tips below to get off on the right foot.  

How to stand out during the September Surge

• Your CV’s quality can make or break your chance of success, as it’s the first thing every hiring manager will see when considering your application. Make sure to present yourself in the best way possible, by steering clear of common CV mistakes such as a generic profile, unexplained gaps and not being specific enough.
• As well as your CV, it’s important to make sure that your online presence shows you in the best light. Before applying to any new roles, it’s a good idea to check that your LinkedIn profile has the most up-to-date information, including experience, qualifications, a professional photo and – if possible – a couple of testimonials. Hiring managers may well look at your personal social media accounts too, so it may be wise to switch the settings onto “private” mode. 
• An increase in jobseeker activity is likely to mean that hiring managers will have more direct applications than usual. Applying through a recruitment consultant means your application will be presented in a far smaller shortlist, and your CV will likely be read in greater detail. A more tailored, specific approach is likely to yield better results, so take a look at our live vacancies and chat to a specialist consultant about your experience, requirements and long-term career goals. Don’t panic-apply. Instead, take the time to consider your five-year plan and how your next career move can be a vital step towards achieving those ambitions.
• With more people active in the market, it’s probable that there will be a greater number of suitable applicants interviewing for each opening. Make sure you leave a positive and lasting impression by doing solid interview preparation, including learning about competency-based question techniques and uncovering key ways to manage your nerves.

Download the Hays app today to manage your job search the quick and easy way.