Stay Ahead While Slowing Down: A Smart Career Strategy for Summer 2025

Should I relax or keep job searching during my vacation?

Honestly? You don’t have to choose. You can do both—and actually come out ahead.

 In the end, it’s not just hard work and determination that make the difference. It’s also about having the mindset to stay ahead of the curve and knowing when to put in the effort during your career transition. Career transition is similar to running your own business. 

And as someone who runs her own business, I often struggle with finding the right balance between taking time off and knowing when to push harder on work.  After years of testing various methods and strategies, I have concluded that taking 100% time off doesn’t work for me.  While people often talk about achieving a perfect work-life balance, I have found that taking 100% time off causes me more stress. So instead, I choose what to work on and how much, based on what feels right.

As a coach, I often hear two different approaches from my clients: 1)I will wait until the end of August to start focusing on my career. 2) I would rather start right now so I can have one to two sessions before the summer break. 

The question is, which one are you? And which one might be a wise strategy?

The truth is, you don’t have to choose one or the other. Summer can be the perfect time to do both.

Let’s be honest. Job searching can be a daunting and exhausting process. If you’ve been sending applications for months, the idea of taking a complete break is tempting and maybe even necessary to stay focused during the autumn. This, as it will give 

you space to rest while also taking small, smart, strategic steps that make your job hunt easier when starting again later in August or the beginning of September. It will simply make you ready to kick off quickly, and thus you will stay ahead of the crowd!

Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Prepare Quietly

Most people put their job hunt completely on hold during the summer. But if you stay just a little bit active, you’ll stand out!

With a smart strategy and mindset, the summer could give you both time and perspective, something you usually don’t have plenty of while being an active job seeker. Without the pressure of deadlines, meetings, or a hectic inbox, you have time to THINK!

The questions you now have time to reflect on could be:

✨ What parts of my day give me energy, and what parts drain it?

✨ If I had to explain my ideal job in one sentence, what would I say?

✨ What would I do next if I weren’t afraid of failing?

✨ If I could create the perfect job, what would it look like?

These small insights often appear when we stop rushing. And they’re gold when it comes to shaping a career plan that feels aligned with what you may have been unconsciously feeling for quite a while but have been unable to describe to yourself and others.

Plus, staying just a little engaged with your job search can reduce unconscious stress. Many people say they feel calmer when they allow themselves to work during vacation times.

You Don’t Need a Big Plan, Just a Gentle Strategy

With that said! It doesn’t mean you are sitting at your laptop all day writing applications in July or August, depending on when your country has its traditional vacation time.

Instead, I would recommend adapting to a light, flexible summer job hunt strategy, one that keeps your mind gently engaged without taking away your time to rest.

Here’s something you could try. 

👉 Reflect – What energizes me? What do I want more of?

👉 Explore – What job titles or companies spark curiosity?

👉 Learn – A podcast, webinar, or article counts.

👉 Connect – Reach out to someone you trust or admire.

👉 Prepare – Polish a section of your Resume or LinkedIn profile.

These actions can be done on a bench, by the pool, or even while waiting for your train. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s to keep you in momentum.

So, looking at the above activities, I will outline a summer-friendly plan that you can do in 15-30 minutes.

Reflect & Recharge

▪ Document your thoughts on what you enjoyed (or didn’t) in your last role.

▪ Measure and try to assess your technical skills. Some tools are free online.

▪ Take a walk and ask yourself: “When was I last truly motivated?”

Light Career Prep

▪ Update just one part of your LinkedIn page, your headline or summary.

▪ Browse a couple of job ads, not to apply, but to get a sense of what’s in demand and which technical or soft skills employers are looking for. Look for any common patterns you notice. 

▪ Start a “dream employer” list. Follow them on LinkedIn.

Learn Something New

▪ Listen to career podcasts or TED talks.

▪ Enroll in a mini course; 20 minutes a day is enough. You can find plenty of free courses on LinkedIn.

▪ Read one article about your field’s trends or AI in your profession.

Reconnect with People

▪ Write a short message to a former colleague or professor.

▪ Schedule casual coffee meetings in August.

▪ Join an online community or event related to your interests.

These micro-activities not only help you feel in control, but they also build confidence, clarity, and readiness for the autumn job market.

To help you further utilize your vacation to stay ahead and remain calm during your job hunt activities in the autumn, I have created a 4-week vacation career plan – a simple template that you can adjust to your own needs and ambitions.

Week 1 – Reflect

✨ Write down 5 things that energize you at work.

✨ Identify what you want to avoid in your next role.

Week 2 – Explore

✨ Research 3 job titles that sound interesting.

✨ Save 2–3 job ads you would apply for.

Week 3 – Prepare

✨ Edit your LinkedIn profile headline, photo, and background. Identify 2-3 profiles that you like and can use as inspiration.

✨ Practice writing a short career summary in your own words.

Week 4 – Connect

✨ Reach out to 5-6 people you know in roles you admire.

✨ Send a friendly message saying you’d love to connect and, if possible, schedule a chat or a coffee meeting.

Why do it? - Stop the Panic Before It Starts

Every year, as a coach, I see it happen. September arrives, and people often feel left behind. They panic, rush, and start sending poorly written and rushed applications. By mid-October, the pressure builds again as December approaches.

✨ The truth is: a little effort in July or August can save you from that stress.

Final Thoughts from Me to You! - Give Yourself the Gift of Clarity

Career development doesn’t always have to be hard work. Sometimes, it’s about slowing down enough to hear your thoughts. 

If you’re not sure where to start? Create your own 4-week mini plan, described above, as a guiding line and adapt it to your needs. Remember: I repeat it! It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it helps you stay on track.

Your future self will thank you.

Good luck and have a lovely summer!

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