Reading · Mouth Off With Monday

Welcome back to Mouth Off with Monday! This week, we’re introducing a fresh new Substack format, featuring hiring insights, standout roles, and a few things currently catching our attention. We hope you enjoy the new look!

- The Monday Talent Team 💌

Every August, the same assumptions return: companies are not hiring, candidates should wait, and open roles can be revisited in September.

From what we see as recruiters, hiring does continue. Timelines may stretch, and communication can become less consistent, but candidates are still interviewing, and companies are still making offers.

Here are three August hiring myths worth reconsidering.

Myth: “Nobody is hiring. Everyone is on vacation.”

Reality: Companies are hiring, but scheduling takes longer.

Open roles do not disappear when decision-makers turn on their out-of-office messages. Interviews and approvals may take longer to coordinate, so a three-week process can easily become four or five.

Candidates should ask about expected timelines before assuming a quiet week means lost interest. Employers can keep people engaged by communicating delays and arranging cover for anyone involved in the decision.

Myth: “Waiting until September is the cautious choice.”

Reality: Delaying can create a backlog.

If the need remains, putting a search on hold only pushes the work into September. The existing team carries the extra load, while the company enters fall, competing with other employers that are restarting their searches.

August can be used to refine the brief, align the interview team, and begin meeting candidates. Keeping the process active does not mean rushing the decision.

Myth: “If hiring feels slow, there must be no jobs.”

Reality: Employers are hiring more selectively.

People are still interviewing, receiving offers, and starting new roles. Many companies are working with tighter budgets and more specific requirements, which can make the market feel uneven.

Candidates should focus on well-matched roles and make their relevant results easy to see. Employers should review whether each requirement is essential, as an overly narrow brief can exclude strong candidates and prolong the search.

Before You Write Off August

August rewards consistency on both sides of the hiring process. Candidates who remain visible may find opportunities others have paused pursuing. Employers that continue searching can enter September with an active pipeline instead of starting from scratch.

Expect a slower pace, communicate clearly, and keep the process moving.

Read the full blog (with an additional two myths!) here: What Actually Happens to Hiring in August: 5 Myths, Explained

A few things that made our shortlist this week, from products and publications to campaigns, creative ideas, and whatever we currently have saved in too many open tabs.

These Workday Upgrades Help Me Get More Done, So I Can Actually Enjoy Summer

Summer’s Best Accessories for Beach Days and Beyond

11 Best Places to Visit in August For Beaches, State Fairs, and More

All the Recipes From Bon Appétit’s Summer Issue

Senior PR Manager - Exciting Consumer Internet Brand