WHILE the August bank holiday brings summer to a close, it also signals the start of “back to work” season.
It will see this year’s second biggest spike in job applications.
September could be the perfect time to quit your job and start afresh Credit: Getty
LinkedIn careers expert Charlotte Davies says Brits return from summer breaks with a fresh perspective on their jobs and careers Credit: Supplied
September ranks as one of the busiest periods for employees handing in their notice, matching the traditional New Year career-change wave in January.
Charlotte Davies careers expert at networking site LinkedIn explains: “Every August bank holiday, I hear the same thing. People come back from a break with a totally different perspective on life and their job. Some want a new role, others to start their own business.”
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Nina Kaloti-Atkinson found her new life after a relaxing holiday season.
After 30 years climbing the corporate ladder in pharmaceuticals, the mum of two came up with an idea for a business after going on holiday to the Lake District with her husky cross Theodore.
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Now she runs personalised dog care brand FurFix.
Nina 49, from Northamptonshire, said: “On holiday, being away from the noise of work gave me space to think.
“Becoming a dog mum showed me just how confusing grooming and coat care really is.
“Shelves full of products, mixed advice, no clear guidance. I realised other owners must be feeling exactly the same way.
“For the first time, I wondered if I could use everything I’d learned in pharma — problem‑solving, strategy, innovation — to fix a problem in a completely different world.
“Driving home, I knew something had changed. I’d left as a woman defined by her corporate career. I came back imagining what might be possible.
“There was a little voice saying, ‘You’ve got one life — use it’.
“So FurFix was born. Don’t ignore the thoughts that only appear when your life gets quiet. They’re often the ones you’ve been too busy to hear.”
Jobs specialists suggest there are three key reasons for wanting to change jobs after a summer break.
Firstly, time away from the workplace gives employees space to evaluate work-life balance and unhappiness with current roles.
Secondly, many workplaces see a “post-summer slump” with employees feeling demotivated.
Finally, after a summer break in a new location or following hobbies or activities we enjoy, many of us — like Nina — consider starting a business that fits our interests.
Time off led Nina Kaloti-Atkinson to her new business, inspired by her dog Theodore Credit: Supplied
BANK ON HOLIDAY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE
STUDIES show two in five staff struggle to get back into the September work routine but if you want to look for a new role, here is some expert advice from Charlotte Davies.
KNOW your skills: Your job title tells people what you did. Your skills tell them what you can do next. By 2030, 70 per cent of your skills will have shifted, and communication and adaptability are climbing fast in importance. Get clear on what makes you different.
START looking, quietly: Don’t wait for the September “back to work” rush. Use the bank holiday to see what’s out there. Message an old colleague. Ask a former mentor for a coffee. A thoughtful comment on someone’s social post counts too.
TRY something new: We now hold almost twice as many jobs in our careers compared to 15 years ago, so we can switch more easily. A short course or certification shows you prioritise personal growth.
GO it alone: If the holiday daydream was starting your own business, experiment before you commit. A side project can give you valuable insight into whether it has real potential.
LEARN AI but don’t lose yourself in it: AI skills are one of the fastest-growing job requirements. But the candidates who stand out pair that with something that AI can’t do – building relationships, thinking creatively and reading a room.
GIVE your profile proper attention: Work on your CV and LinkedIn profile now. One that actually sounds like you and shows the skills you have will put you ahead before September starts.
INVEST in relationships before you need them: Think about how you show up publicly. It’s not how many connections you have but the value you create through those interactions. LinkedIn data shows applicants with an inside connection are five times more likely to get hired.
JOB SPOT
HEALTH club chain David Lloyd is recruiting for 200 roles, including swimming instructors, chefs, spa hosts plus food and beverage assistants.
To search for your ideal post, head online to davidlloyd.co.uk/careers.
HOW TO MAKE A CV AGE DEFYING
Matthew Hook from storytelling consultancy Look Up
MANY experienced jobseekers are “Botoxing” their CVs – removing dates, senior positions and years of experience to appear younger.
But there is a difference between making a long career relevant and trying to disguise it.
Matthew Hook from storytelling consultancy Look Up has helped hundreds of people affected by redundancy and midlife career change to reinvent their CVs.
He said: “A CV is not your career archive: edit ruthlessly, but remove the clutter rather than hiding the experience that makes you valuable.”
Here are his tips:
1. START WITH YOUR AUDIENCE: Ask who will read your CV and what they need to understand about you? If you are changing sector, direction or seniority, do not assume they will see how your experience fits. Make the connection for them.
2. SHOW VALUE, NOT SENIORITY: Impressive job titles show where you sat in an organisation, not what you contributed. Focus on the problems you solved, changes you led and results you achieved. This makes your experience relevant rather than making you overqualified.
3. KEEP THE INTERESTING BITS: Do not edit so heavily that you become the most obvious candidate. Career changes, unusual roles and unexpected combinations of experience can distinguish you. Employers are hiring your perspective and judgment, not just a set of keywords.
4. ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT: If your CV includes redundancy, a career gap, a change of direction or a move away from senior leadership, offer a brief, confident explanation. Leave a hole and the employer may fill it with an explanation less favourable than the truth.
5. HIGHLIGHT THE RIGHT CHAPTERS: A 30-year career may contain 15 chapters, but your CV probably needs to showcase just three. Choose the roles and achievements that support your next move, even if that means relegating some of the work you are proud of.
JOB SPOT
COSTA COFFEE is recruiting for locations throughout the country, with vacancies for more than 500 full and part-time baristas and team leaders. See costacareers.co.uk.
EVERY LITTLE ELFS
BUSINESS leaders are backing a campaign to support under-represented youngsters.
The #WhoBelievedInYou initiative, run by professional training firm Circl, challenges bosses to reveal the mentors who supported their early careers.
Eve Williams of eBay UK said: “The person who believed in me was Clare Broadbent, my first CEO at an agency when I took the first step in my career at 22. My first job was as the elf on the Tesco Christmas Gift Guide, and I gave that job everything I had.
“Clare supported me. In my seven years there, I was promoted to managing director.”
Circl’s Charlie Stainforth added: “Our challenge to the professional community is to share that belief with the young talent entering the workforce.”
SLICE PROSPECTS
Lauren Disney, 19, has risen from a Saturday job at Domino’s to assistant manager Credit: Supplied
WANT to flip your career plans? Domino’s pizza chain is recruiting 5,000 team members and is targeting students and school leavers who are looking at alternatives to university.
Store bosses want to show that first jobs can become successful careers, as nine in ten Domino’s managers started out in a store team or driver role.
Lauren Disney from Norfolk, started at Domino’s as a Saturday job and later withdrew her university application.
She’s now Assistant Store Manager at just 19. Lauren said: “I’m benefitting more from earning and learning on the job.”
Domino’s boss Sarah Barron, said: “We want to give more people a job opportunity to see where it could lead.”
Apply at storejobs.dominos.co.uk.
