The “dog days” of summer have a reputation for being slow, hazy, and unproductive.
In hiring, they can feel like a holding pattern: decision-makers are away, interviews take longer to schedule, and promising conversations seem to pause.
The slower pace can actually be useful. With fewer immediate demands, there is more room to think about what comes next and whether the direction you are heading still makes sense.
For Hiring Managers: Look Beyond the Vacancy in Front of You
For hiring managers, that means looking beyond the position that needs to be filled today.
What does your team need to accomplish by year-end? Where are the pressure points likely to be in the fall? What skills or experience would make the biggest difference?
Using the quieter weeks to think through those questions can make the next hiring decision much more deliberate. A clearer picture now can also help avoid the scramble that often comes once September arrives and priorities begin competing for attention again.
For Job Seekers: Take Stock Before the Pace Picks Up
For job seekers, summer can be a good time to take stock of where your search is heading.
Rather than simply sending out more applications, take a closer look at the story your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and conversations are telling.
Does your experience clearly point toward the kind of role you want next?
Are you targeting opportunities that genuinely fit your strengths, interests, and longer-term goals?
A few thoughtful adjustments now can make a significant difference when hiring activity picks up again.
Reconnect While Calendars Are Quieter
Summer is also a good time to reconnect with people.
Reach out to a former colleague, a recruiter, or someone whose work you respect. A casual conversation can provide perspective, introduce an idea you had not considered, or open a door that would never appear in a job posting.
Those conversations are often easier to have when calendars are a little less crowded.
The quieter weeks can also be useful for refreshing professional materials, building a skill, researching companies, or simply getting clearer about what you want from the next stage of your career.
One Question Before Labour Day
Here is a simple challenge for both sides of the hiring table: choose one fall question you want answered before Labour Day.
What talent decision will have the greatest effect on our fourth quarter?
What kind of opportunity am I genuinely preparing myself to recognize and pursue?
The Dog Days Will Pass Soon Enough
The real value of this part of the summer may be what you decide to do with the extra breathing room before the pace picks up again.
Ready to make your next move count?
Whether you are building a stronger team or considering your next career opportunity, let’s start a conversation before the fall rush begins.
For Employers & Hiring Managers
End your summer on a decisive note. Take 10 minutes this week to sketch out the roles you’ll need filled by October—and then take action.
Book a brief consultation with us to translate that plan into a concrete hiring timeline and candidate strategy.
Tell Us Your Hiring NeedsPrefer another way to connect?
- Email us at info@stoakley.com
- Call our long-serving VP, Pat Laforet at 1.888.226.6685 x812.
For Job Seekers
Don’t wait for September to “feel ready.” Refresh your resume and LinkedIn profile today, then explore our current opportunities with industry-leading employers.
The quiet weeks before Labour Day can be your competitive edge. Use them well, and you can step into fall already one move ahead.
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