Things You Need to Know

Business Etiquette

Summer Serious

April 22, 2008

Over the past several summers, employers have engaged in a real war for talent—bending over backwards to do everything they could to attract the best and brightest of the T-Ball Generation. Summer interns and associates could expect any major employer to host tons of social events. In many cases, efforts were undertaken to ensure that work did not intrude on the recruit’s summer fun. And as long as a recruit consistently showed up for work, the message on the street was that a warm body would receive a job offer.

This summer’s recruits will encounter a very different world. Nearly everyone agrees that the economy has entered a downturn. As a result, this summer’s employers will expect serious recruits who are eager to prove their value to a prospective employer.

To communicate they are serious about work, summer recruits should plan on undertaking the following activities throughout the summer:

Dress for work. In business casual offices, last summer’s recruits, who opted to wear golf shirts or sun dresses, probably escaped notice. This year, the same type of attire is more likely to attract critical attention. In economic downturns, employers, as well as clients, expect recruits to dress more seriously. On a day to day basis, gentlemen should plan on wearing crisply pressed slacks and shirts (both of quality material) and ladies should wear crisply pressed blouses and slacks or skirts (also both of quality material). Smart recruits will also keep a blazer in the office and wear shoes rather than sandals to work.
Show up early and stay late. Those recruits who hope to receive a job offer at the end of their summer break should plan to work long, hard hours. This is the summer to demonstrate an interest in a prospective employer and all of the details of that employer’s everyday work. As tasks are assigned, complete each project quickly and then immediately look for the next possible project. Each day of the summer season, recruits should be prepared to prove the added value they can offer to an employer.
Be responsive. This summer’s most successful recruits will make themselves responsive to prospective employers 24/7. Recruits should ensure that any manager or supervisor has all of their contact information, including a personal cell phone number. Throughout the summer, before they close down for the day, recruits should ensure that each and every e-mail and voice-mail has been returned.
Build a network. Recruits should use the summer to build a network that includes both their peers as well as more senior members of various organizations. Forget about visiting every Zagat top-rated restaurant. Instead, use lunch invitations to build relationships with senior people who can help position the recruit as a potential new hire.

Recruits should anticipate that this will be a “no excuses” summer. Employers are in search of young professionals who can immediately help contribute to the bottom line, and they are likely to accept few, if any, excuses from recruits who fail to demonstrate that they are serious professionals.