What Most Women Get Wrong About Fall Hiring
- Latoya Baldwin
- Sep 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 6
Let’s talk timing. Because in the corporate world, when you move matters.
If you’re job searching, interviewing, or even just thinking about a pivot this fall, don’t miss this window.
September is one of the most strategic seasons to make bold career moves but most people assume the real opportunities start in January. That delay is costing them offers, visibility, and momentum.
Leaders are back from vacation. Budgets are finalized. Hiring picks up pace.
But here’s the thing…
The women who move now are the ones who get in the room before it gets crowded.
Whether you’re updating your resume, preparing for interviews, or just craving more clarity and confidence, here’s how to use September to your advantage.
If You’ve Been Feeling Behind, You’re Not Broken
If you’ve been feeling behind, invisible, or unsure where to start, you’re not broken.
You just haven’t had a strategy that works for you.
Why September Is a Hidden Gem for Career Growth
Recruiters call it the “September Surge” for a reason:
It’s the start of Q4 hiring strategy
Many teams have use-it-or-lose-it headcount they’re eager to fill
Performance reviews and end-of-year promotions are being decided now, not in December
Translation:
The decisions that shape your 2025 title, salary, and trajectory are being made right now.
If you wait until October or November to get serious, you’re already behind.
When I Saw It Firsthand
When I led a recruiting team at Lowe’s, screening over 3 million applicants a year, we always ramped up interviews in Q4.
But the candidates who stood out weren’t always the loudest.
They were the ones who walked in with receipts, presence, and readiness.
That’s who I help you become.
1. Resume Glow-Up: Delete the Fluff, Lead With Receipts
Your resume is not a recap. It’s a results sheet.
Most resumes list responsibilities. But hiring managers don’t care what you were assigned to do. They care what you delivered.
Start here:
Swap duties for impact metrics
Cut the dead weight
Keep it crisp. Clarity wins every time
Pro tip: Use the STAR+ method to show your leadership, not just your labor.
(Need help? Grab my bestselling interview prep book)
Every line should prove you’re the answer, not just another applicant.
2. LinkedIn Presence: Your Digital Billboard, Not Your Diary
LinkedIn isn’t where you vent about burnout. It’s where you position your power.
Most people wait until they’re actively job searching to fix their profile.
By then, they’ve already missed recruiter searches, warm leads, and key visibility moments.
Key fixes:
Headline: Aim it at the role you want
About: Tell your story in two or three punchy, confident lines
Skills: Use the keywords your dream recruiter is actually searching
Bonus tip:
Add a clean headshot and recent accomplishments to your Featured section.
This isn’t just your resume. It’s your brand billboard.
3. Stay-Ready Energy: Preparation Is a Power Play
Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
If the right opportunity came tomorrow, would you be scrambling or confidently prepared?
Here’s how to stay ready without burning out:
Keep a strong “Tell me about yourself” script in your Notes app
Update your headshot or add a clean, lifestyle-style photo
Practice your STAR+ stories once a week, even if you’re not applying
This kind of readiness builds confidence before the call ever comes.
It helps you show up with clarity, not chaos.
Need help crafting those stories?
4. Interview Prep: You Don’t Need Luck. You Need Strategy.
Interviews aren’t pop quizzes. They’re your stage.
But most women walk in like they’re hoping to pass, not like they’re ready to own the room.
Let’s change that energy.
Prep like a pro:
Practice your answers out loud, not just in your head
Record yourself on video to refine tone, clarity, and confidence
Walk in with three mic-drop stories that prove you’re a results-getter and a leader
Reminder:
You’re not hoping they pick you. You’re showing them why they can’t afford not to.
5. What If You’re Not Ready to Apply Yet?
Even if you’re not job hunting this second, this is your prep season.
Think of it like saving for a big trip. You don’t wait until the day before to start planning.
Build your foundation quietly but powerfully:
Use the Rise365 Planner to reflect on your next move
Join my newsletter for free to get insider tools and support
Start revisiting your career story and getting clear on what you actually want next
The point isn’t to rush.
It’s to position yourself for alignment, not panic applications later.
6. The Opportunity Window Is Open
This month separates the overlooked from the undeniable.
You don’t need to do more to be ready.
You need to be seen.
But that only happens when you move with strategy.
The longer you wait, the harder it gets to stand out.
Every quarter you delay costs you more than you think, not just money, but momentum.
Ready to Make Your Move?
Want the exact words that turn interviews into offers?
This free toolkit will help you:
Introduce yourself with confidence
Follow up without sounding desperate
Respond to rejection with power
Turn silence into second chances
Let September be your career shift, not your missed moment.
You’re not just searching for a job.
You’re stepping into your next level.
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