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- This summer is the best time to be looking for a new job.
- Employers are looking to woo workers with signing bonuses and other perks.
- Insider’s compiled a helpful guide for anyone searching for a new role this summer.
- See more stories on Insider’s business page.
The job market is on fire right now.
After a steep decline at the beginning of the pandemic, employers are finally beginning to hire again. And they’re hiring a lot. On July 16, job postings on Indeed were up 36.4% above where they were on February 1, 2021, the pre-pandemic baseline. There were 9.2 million open jobs in the US at the end of May, the most recently available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated.
Moving jobs is also a great way to make more money. A 2017 Nomura analysis found that people who had changed jobs earned roughly 1% more year over year than people who stayed with the same employer.
It’s a job seekers’ market, and some employers are working to woo workers with incentives such as bonuses and new employee benefits.
There’s never been a better time to look for a job, and Insider has compiled a helpful guide for anyone looking for a new opportunity.
Quitting shouldn’t be your first move if you’re unhappy
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Maybe you don’t want to leave your job, but you’re not exactly thrilled with how things are going. Don’t fret, experts said there are simple tweaks you can make to your workday that may help you feel more fulfilled.
It’s a common problem. Gallup found that 51% of workers in its global analysis of about 112,000 business units were not engaged at work. No wonder 3.6 million US employees left their jobs in May.
But, career experts told Insider, playing to your strengths can help you feel more satisfied at work.
And remember: Don’t be afraid to share feedback with your boss. Chances are that if you’re unhappy, other people are, too.
Read more:
A few small changes can make you happier at a job you don’t like, experts say
Don’t quit your job. Do these 2 steps to get more money or a new boss instead.
When it’s time for a change
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Maybe you’ve tried to make things better at your current role, but they aren’t improving. Or maybe you’ve outgrown your role and want to move on.
Regardless, it’s time to launch your job search.
A good first step is to send some networking messages. Blair Heitmann, a LinkedIn career expert, previously told Insider that your network “is your No. 1 asset as a professional over the course of your career.”
You can also make key tweaks to your job-application materials that may draw the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
And when you’re ready to give your notice, make sure you don’t burn any bridges with your employer. You never know if you may want to return someday.
Read more:
A workplace expert shares the exact steps you should take to quit your job without burning bridges
Now may be the best time to switch jobs – and make more money
Finding the best opportunities
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Jobs in human resources and diversity and inclusion are skyrocketing right now.
HR professionals, for example, are being recruited relentlessly for high-paying roles, experts previously told Insider. Jobs in diversity and inclusion grew 123% between May and September of last year, Indeed data showed.
But these aren’t the only industries worth checking out. It’s important to explore all of your options to find a role that is the best fit for you.
Read more:
HR professionals are being recruited relentlessly and have their pick of top jobs
Asking (and answering) the right questions
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You’ve done the work and sent out tons of applications. Now hiring managers are scheduling interviews with you.
The most common interview question is “Tell me about yourself.” Jacques Buffett, a career expert at the online résumé service Zety, said interviewees should use this question to briefly mention their career history and tell stories of past achievements.
But it’s also important to know the right questions to ask hiring managers. This could help you get a clearer sense of the company culture.
Read more:
How can I tell a hiring manager that I want to be fully remote?
Remote, in person, or somewhere in between
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Once you’ve accepted a job, you have an opportunity to craft your ideal work life.
Maybe you want to be completely remote or solely in the office. Or maybe you want something in between.
Many employers are still sorting out their plans for returning to the office, but regardless, you’re in a good position to negotiate as much flexibility as you want.
Some companies, such as marketing startup Scroll and Kickstarter, are testing out four-day workweeks.
Read more:
How to craft your ideal work life and get your boss on board
Kickstarter CEO: Why we’re doing a 4-day workweek
If you want to ask your boss to let you work from home forever, use this script
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