IF you are currently looking for a job, September might give you luck.
This is what many netizens claim as the hashtag #SeptemberSurge has gained traction on TikTok, particularly among young job seekers and those who are planning to find new work.
But does this apply to the Philippines? 20-year-old student Jaymark Flores is an eager job-hunter, although he’s never heard of the term “September Surge.”
While it is new for some individuals, “September Surge” is actually an old term for those who work in the recruitment industry, especially in other countries like the United States.
September Surge refers to the abundant increase in job opportunities that kicks off after Labor Day in the US, which is celebrated on the first Monday of September.
One popular TikTok video about September Surge is from Chanelle Howell, who identifies herself as a corporate recruiter and career consultant.
“September is one of the busiest times where jobs start hiring talents. It’s the middle of Q3, jobs realizing that they haven’t spent all of their budget, all the executives are coming off from summer vacation,” Howell said.
Employment website Indeed previously said that job hiring peaks in January and February as company budgets become effective in the beginning of the year and that many hiring managers return from their holiday vacations.
But hiring activity differs in each month, it noted.
Why does it happen?
According to Indeed, both September and October “tend to mimic” January and February in terms of hiring activity. It said that it’s because people are returning from their summer vacations and that they “feel ready to focus on filling positions.”
Project Manager Nadine, whose full name cannot be disclosed for job-related reasons, told republicasia that September Surge is real within the US.
Basing on her nine years of working in the recruitment industry that supports countries like the US, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Philippines, Nadine said September Surge happens because employees are able to “reflect back on their goals and re-evaluate what’s important in their lives” after spending time off work during the summer.
“Being away from the mundane can challenge one’s thought process and more likely provide a push to move away from the present circumstance. Therefore, the need to have something new would fuel them to aim towards a new change and possible growth,” she explained.
A career redirection may lead to employees leaving their current post, which will prompt companies to look for other individuals who will take on the vacated role.
While September Surge happens in the US, it does not mean that it also applies to other countries like the Philippines.
Hiring activities differ
Flores said that he has seen a lot of job postings popping up this month on his social media feed and job search platforms Jobstreet and Indeed.
“Mas marami yung lumalabas na job ads compared sa usual. I’ve also found a job opening na gusto kong applyan, [sa] BPO industry since sa kanila yung pinakamarami kong nakikitang advertisements and also because of its competitive salary,” he shared.
While this is the case for Flores, the situation may be different for some job seekers because September Surge does not apply to all countries, according to Nadine.
The project manager said the hiring surge in the Philippines usually happens in January or after the release of the 13th-month pay, an additional compensation for Filipino workers, in December.
There are also times that hiring surge happens after Holy Week, which is another lengthy vacation period for Filipinos.
But September Surge may affect those job positions from US companies that could be outsourced to the Philippines, said Nadine.
“It can affect to some degree, but not entirely due to differences in culture, seasons, graduation schedules (school curriculums), etc,” she explained.
Success of getting hired in September
If you are among those looking for a job this month, one of the questions that probably pops into your mind is, would you be able to secure a job during the so-called September Surge?
The answer apparently depends on your preparation for the position that you are applying for.
“I really won’t say that there’s anything different that you should do for September versus what you do when you apply for jobs during other months of the year,” Nadine said.
“I believe proper preparation is imperative whenever you apply for any job in any circumstance,” she added.
Preparations for job application
As a job hunter, Flores said that there are several things he wished he knew before he started applying for a job.
Among these are the other requirements needed for the interview aside from his résumé or curriculum vitae, and how to properly answer interview questions.
For job seekers, especially the first-timers, here are some pieces of advice from Nadine that could help them in their job applications:
- Prepare your résumé. Make it short and sweet. Don’t forget to highlight achievements per role/company.
- Conduct research. Learning about the company and the role you are applying for is a must.
- Create your inventory of achievements. This will help you boost your confidence.
- Fine-tune your résumé according to the job that you’re applying for. If you are applying for a Marketing role, Nadine said that your résumé should highlight your marketing achievements or responsibilities, but avoid putting false information.
- Research about behavioral questions. Prepare yourself to answer questions that would show your leadership, such as how you handled difficult colleagues or clients.
- Always go back to your motivation and stick with it.
Don’t lose heart
The same preparation also applies to job hunters who do not have a lot of work experience or those who are fresh graduates, according to Nadine.
She said that they could instead highlight their educational experience, thesis experience, internship experience and other educational achievements on their résumé.
Rejection is part of the process, and job hunters should not lose heart, she said.
“Being afraid or nervous during interviews is normal. It happens even to those that are tenured,” she said.
Perhaps that rejection could lead them to “something better,” she added.
