Post-summer blues? Now is the best time to look for a new job

September is the new January. Time to replace those post-holiday blues with a new season resolution...

You've rolled up the beach towel and consigned your bikinis to the back of the wardrobe for another year. Ah summer, it was good while it lasted. But as hot dog legs selfies on the beach are replaced by cosy dinners in front of Netflix, over half (59%) of Brits are looking to beat the post-holiday blues by making positive changes to their lifestyle this September, (according to a study by Pinterest). What's more, 38% believe that the end of summer feels like the perfect time for a fresh start. Time to rethink your career goals, perhaps?

Last year, LinkedIn saw an 11% uplift in the number of professionals updating their profiles during the first two weeks of September, (compared to the month of August), as the UK headed back to work after the summer holidays. There was also a 24% uplift in the average number of jobs posted on LinkedIn, as businesses look to attract those on the post-holiday job hunt. So we asked LinkedIn’s Darain Faraz to share his top tips for overcoming the post-holiday blues and landing yourself a new job this autumn.

1. Make yourself visible If you haven’t got a LinkedIn profile, get one. If businesses can’t see you and all your fantastic experience, how will they know if they want to hire you? Having a strong profile will open up a sea of professional contacts at companies that you might want to work for, and business connections that might help in your current role.

If you’ve already got one, make sure it looks great and displays all of your experience accurately, as completed profiles are far more likely to be viewed by potential employers. Adding a picture to your profile gives a personal touch and makes your profile eleven times more likely to be viewed – just make sure you keep it professional.

2. Use your network They say it’s not what you know, but who you know… and who they know! Make sure you connect on LinkedIn with family members, or friends working in industries or companies that you want to work for - this will make you visible to your contacts’ connections too.

Get in contact with them and see if they can help or give you advice - it’s one of the easiest ways to get your foot in the door at a company. It’s not cheating, it’s just making the most of your network.

3. Find the right jobs Use the ‘Jobs’ tab on your profile to find job listings within your industry and beyond, then apply for them directly through LinkedIn. You can easily set specific job search preferences so that you’re recommended roles at the companies you want to work for, as well as jobs that would be a perfect fit for you.

With a big uplift in new job postings expected this week and next, now is the perfect time to see if there is something that is right for you and apply.

4. Meet a mentor Having a mentor is one of the best things you can do for your career – whether it’s to help you grow in your current position or land a new job. You can use LinkedIn to check out the people already doing your dream job, and see how they got there to map out the next steps in your own career, and talk to them about your development.

Once you’ve identified someone who’s a good fit, write them a personal message on LinkedIn that shows you’re genuinely interested in them as a mentor. Include the following three things: an achievement of theirs that you’re impressed with, your long-term career plans and lastly, how being mentor could help benefit them too.

5. Going global It your summer holiday has given you a taste for sun, sea and experiencing a different culture, why not consider a job abroad? According to our data, over 200,000 of our professional members headed overseas for their careers last year, with New York, Sydney and Paris being the top destinations.

Switching countries doesn’t necessarily mean jumping ship – you can look into the opportunities for an international move or sabbatical within your current organisation. Building a strong network within your company can really help you do this. If you meet international colleagues through work, keep in touch; you never know when they might be able to open a door for you in another part of the business.