September Surge 2025: what it means for jobseekers

The summer holidays have all too quickly come to an end, and any remaining annual leave you have is likely thin on the ground. Your morning commute is becoming cooler, and your journey home is growing darker. It’s September, and you’re facing the bleakest months of the year at your current nine-to-five.

Or are you? Could the grass be greener on the other side?

September has traditionally been a good time of year to search for a new role, as the job market tends to pick up after the 'summer slowdown'. This rise in job vacancies – and jobseekers, as more people reflect on their careers – is referred to as the ‘September Surge’: a term first coined in the US that has now seen traction in other parts of the world.

Ideal time to job search

Evidently, September is a favoured month for many jobseekers. In our recent LinkedIn poll, we found that almost two thirds (65%) of people think September is the perfect month to look for a new job, while less than a quarter (22%) think the month is unimportant, and 13% remain undecided.

But what are the driving factors for this preference? Of the people who are planning on job searching this September, over a third (37%) cited wanting a job by the new year as their key motivator and 17% said they were too busy during the summer months. The most common reason, though, was the belief that there would be a greater number of vacancies, with more than four in 10 (42%) voters selecting this option.

A buoyant job market

Typically, September is a busy month, not only due to momentum picking up post-summer, but also because organisations have a clearer idea of how much spare budget they have for hiring as year-end approaches. This September will be no different. Unemployment in Ireland currently sits at 4.9%, which is just one percentage point higher than the lowest figure ever recorded (3.9% in 2000) and a far cry from the highest (17.3% in 1985). Meanwhile, vacancy levels seem to be on a positive – albeit slow – trajectory, so it seems likely that there will be ample opportunities for those seeking their next career move this September.

How to make the most of the September Surge

With competition heating up during the September Surge, standing out is essential. Here are four ways to boost your chances of securing a new role:

1. Ensure maximum CV impact

The quality of your CV can make or break your chances of success, as it will be every hiring manager’s first impression of you. Make sure you’re presenting yourself in the best possible light with our CV tips and template.

2. Improve your online presence

Before applying to any new roles, you should make sure your online presence shows you in the best light possible. Hiring managers nowadays often look at your LinkedIn profile – so ensure your experience and qualifications are up to date, include a professional photo, and request testimonials where appropriate. Also, review your personal social media accounts and consider setting them to private.

3. Smarter applications

An increase in jobseekers means the pile of direct applicants will be time-consuming for hiring managers to trawl through. Applying through a recruitment consultant means your application will be presented in a far smaller shortlist and your CV will likely be read in greater detail. A more tailored approach is generally the most effective method, so take a look at our live vacancies and chat to a specialist consultant about your experience, requirements and long-term career goals. Don’t panic-apply. Instead, take the time to consider your long-term goals and how your next career move can be a vital step towards achieving those ambitions.

4. Effective interview preparation

With more people active in the market, it’s probable there will be a greater number of suitable applicants interviewing for each opening. Make sure you leave a positive and lasting impression by doing solid interview preparation, including brushing up on competency-based interview techniques and discovering key ways to manage your nerves.

To kickstart your job search this September, check out our live vacancies – we add new roles daily.