By Colleen Batchelder,Contributor

Copyright forbes

Dream job alert! Don’t miss the September Surge. Check out my ultimate checklist tailored for Gen Z job seekers. Your next big opportunity is waiting!

Welcome to September! The month of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, crisp mornings, and one of the absolute best times to find a job. Yep. The September Surge is here, and the job opportunities are numerous.

Now, if you’ve been job hunting this summer and hearing crickets, don’t be discouraged. Summer is one of the worst times to apply for jobs. In fact, according to Indeed.com, the best time to increase your odds of finding a job is actually during the first of the year, in January, and the beginning of the school year, in September. Jack Kelly, a contributor to Forbes, confirms this idea, believing that, like January, September is an ideal time to get into job search mode.

That’s why in this article, I’m going to give you a step-by-step process that you can follow to beat out your competition and truly shine. If you’re ready to hit the ground running, send out those applications, and ace those interviews, I have everything you need in this checklist to help you navigate the September Surge. So, are you ready? Good. Let’s get you your next job offer!

Step 1: Update Your Resume

Updating your resume is a lot like setting up your dating profile. You want to put your best foot forward and not be overly generic. For example, when you’re dating online, if you’re looking for someone who likes to hike, then you would automatically have photos and content that prove that you’re an outdoorsy person. Similarly, to attract potential recruiters seeking a communications director, consider optimizing your resume to highlight your expertise in this area so that it’s easy to see that you meet the requirements for the job.

Now, this all sounds pretty simple. Right? Well, in theory, yes. But, here’s the thing. How many people actually personalize their resume for the job they want? Not many. In fact, a recruiter survey and analysis of 25,000 resumes found that if a candidate does not have the correct qualifications that the job demands, then 81% of recruiters will reject that resume. And not only that. Only 1 in 10 recruiters will forward an under-qualified candidate’s resume to a hiring manager.

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So, what gets you the interview? Well, here are just a few tips from the Mignone Center for Career Success at Harvard University.

Be consistent in format and content

Make it easy to read and follow, balancing white space

Use consistent spacing, underlining, italics, bold, and capitalization for emphasis

List headings (such as experience) in order of importance

Within headings, list information in reverse chronological order (most recent first)

Be sure that your formatting will translate properly if converted to a PDF

Step 2: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Now, what about LinkedIn? How can you customize a generalized platform to meet the qualifications of multiple companies? Jane Deehan, senior content marketing manager at LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, has a few ideas to get you started, actually twelve. But, for now, I’ll highlight the top three that I believe are the most important to remember.

Choose the right profile picture for LinkedIn

Turn your about section into your story

Request recommendations

Just like your resume is your dating profile, your LinkedIn is your business card. Your profile needs to tell recruiters everything about you within a minute. You can achieve this by using bullet points, highlighting your skills at the top of your profile, and creating a professional brand that reflects how you present yourself in the workplace. People want to catch a glimpse of who you are, so think of your LinkedIn as a preview of yourself and your talents.

Step 3: Do Tons Of Research During The September Surge

Not every job will be listed on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. In fact, many positions will be hidden from public view. This is why your network is so imperative for your professional aspirations. Because here’s the thing. Your mom’s first cousin’s hairdresser might be willing to recommend you for the job and push your resume to the top.

So, don’t be afraid to tap into your network, even if that means asking your parents to reach out and connect you with one of their leads. Because, like I’ve mentioned previously in a past article, your Baby Boomer or Gen X parents will likely know someone who knows someone who’d be more than happy to recommend you for the job. And that connection will open up a lot of doors, especially when CNBC suggests that 70% of all jobs are not published publicly on job sites.

Step 4: Stay Organized With Applications And Deadlines

Here’s another helpful tip: Take the time to create a CRM of potential jobs. I know this seems like an unnecessary step, but hear me out. When you’re in the thick of sending out hundreds of applications, you can easily lose track of everything. And nothing will ruin your reputation more than sending your resume twice to the same company.

Also, organization is key when tackling the September Surge, because let’s say you reach out to multiple companies, they love your resume, but they don’t have a spot for you right now. By adding their name, company, and contact information to a CRM, you can follow up in a few months to see if anything has changed. The point is that you want to build a rapport with these companies. Because in today’s job market climate, you may need to reach out multiple times to get an interview.

Step 5: Prepare For Interviews And Follow-Ups

Now is the fun part, or at least the culmination of all that you’ve been working towards. You’ve finally gotten the call back. But now you’re freaking out over the interview. Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. All you have to remember is B.R.E.A.D.

Breathe. Take a moment before you even prepare for the interview and breathe. It’s stressful having to put your best foot forward. So, take a breath, calm your nerves, and remind yourself to take it one step at a time.

Review. Look at your notes and review your research. Create a short outline of the company and its mission. This way, you can easily glance at it before the interview and familiarize yourself with the actual business.

Edit. One of the biggest things that will trip you up during the interview process is having too much to say. Now is not the time to give the recruiter your whole life’s story. They just need to know a bit about who you are, what you will bring to the job, and how your skills and talents will contribute to the workplace culture of the company.

Act confident. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not encouraging you to fake it till you make it or lie about your accomplishments. But, there’s nothing wrong with standing up straight, striking a power pose in the mirror, and approaching your interview with your head held high.

Do your best. Don’t expect perfectionism. Interviews are awkward. But, like anything, try to do your best, learn from the experience, and enjoy the moment.

So, Are You Ready For The September Surge?

The September Surge is here. So, get ready. Get set. And let’s go! Take this month to research, update your resume, organize your applications, and step out in confidence.

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